3.15 RECREATION EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING. Parkland. Community Parks. Neighborhood Parks. Mini Parks (Pocket Parks)

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1 3.15 RECREATION This element discusses the conditions of parks and recreation facilities located in the corporate limits of the City of San Marcos. Specifically, this section includes an examination of parkland, recreational facilities, and trails. This section includes descriptions of existing facilities, and potential environmental impacts resulting from implementation of the General Plan. Information presented in the discussion and subsequent analysis was drawn from the City of San Marcos GIS analysis and available documentation of City facilities EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING There are approximately acres of developed parkland, recreational facilities, and trails located with the corporate limits of the City of San Marcos. These areas offer amenities such as community buildings, sports fields, ballparks, disc golf facilities, tennis courts, picnic shelters, playgrounds, walking trails, fountains, restrooms, community gardens, equestrian facilities, horseshoe courts, and dog parks. It should be noted that there is existing parkland, recreational facilities, and trails located within the SOI, but these are not included in the overall acreage calculations for total parkland. Parkland The City has 3 different classifications for parks; Community Parks, Neighborhood Parks, and Mini Parks. Descriptions of each of these classifications are described in the following paragraphs. Community Parks Community parks provide special community recreational facilities to serve the entire City, and are 20 to 100 acres. They provide passive parkland focused on a special landscape feature, such as a lake, to intensively developed park sites providing a range of active sport activities (City of San Marcos 1990). Neighborhood Parks Neighborhood parks activity sites of 5 to 20 acres intended to serve those residents that live within approximately 0.75 mile of the park. Where appropriate, neighborhood parks are located adjacent to school sites. These parks typically include ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, open play areas, playgrounds and tot lots, picnic facilities, swimming pools, community buildings, and on-site parking. Mini Parks (Pocket Parks) Mini parks (also called pocket parks) are small park spaces (typically 1 acre, ranging in size from 0.25 acres to 3.63 acres) to serve residential neighborhoods that typically have playgrounds and/or tot lots, family picnic facilities, benches, and a grassy open play area. As listed in Table and shown in Figure , the planning area currently consists of acres of parkland including: San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

2 4 Community Parks totaling 98 acres 12 Neighborhood Parks totaling acres 18 Mini Parks totaling acres It should be noted that joint-use facilities are not included in Table , but a list of schools is provided in Section 3.13 Public Services and Utilities. Nearby golf courses, regional parks, and open space also offer additional outdoor recreation opportunities for residents within the planning area. Table Parkland within the Planning Area Park Name Acreage Location Amenities Community Parks Bradley Park Linda Vista Dr. Soccer fields, ball fields, picnic tables, picnic shelter, turf play area, tot-lot, on-site groundskeeper, horseshoe courts Discovery Lake Park Foxhall Dr. Fishing dock; 8 acre lake; fountain; kiosk for posting of relevant community announcements, picnic tables, picnic shelter, tot-lot, on-site caretaker, trail connections Double Peak Park Double Peak Drive Kiosk, picnic tables, picnic shelter, tot-lot, on-site caretaker, trail connections Walnut Grove Barn & Park Sycamore Dr. Community buildings, soccer fields, kiosk, picnic tables, barbeques, picnic shelter, benches, turf play area, totlot, on-site caretaker, trail connections, equestrian facilities Community Parks Total Neighborhood Parks Buelow Park Autumn Drive Picnic shelters, benches, tot-lot, waterplay area, basketball court, adjacent groundskeeper Hollandia Park Mission Hills Court Soccer fields, ball fields, picnic shelter, benches, tot-lot, on-site caretaker, trail connections, horseshoe courts, dog park, skate park Jack s Pond Park La Moree Rd. Community buildings, Nature Center; kiosk, picnic tables, picnic shelters, turf play area, tot-lot, on-site caretaker, trail connections Las Posas Park W. Borden Rd. Soccer fields, ball fields, public pool, fountain, basketball courts, tennis courts, picnic tables, picnic shelter, benches, turf play area, on-site caretaker, trail connections Knob Hill Park Knob Hill Rd. Picnic tables, picnic shelter, benches, turf play area, tot-lot San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

3 Table Parkland within the Planning Area Park Name Acreage Location Amenities Mission Sports Park Bailey Ct. Ball fields, picnic tables, picnic shelter, on-site caretaker Montiel Park Montiel Rd. Basketball courts, picnic tables, disc golf course, dog park Mulberry Park Mulberry Dr. Waterplay area, picnic tables, benches, turf play area, tot-lot, trail connections San Elijo Park Elfin Forest Rd. Community buildings, soccer fields, ball fields, waterplay area, kiosk, picnic tables, barbeques, picnic shelter, benches, turf play area, totlot, on-site caretaker, trail connections, horseshoe courts, dog park Simmons Family Park Rocky Point Dr. Basketball court, picnic tables, barbeques, benches, turf play area, tot-lot, trail connections Sunset Park Puesta Del Sol Lighted multi-purpose fields, soccer arena, dog park, picnic shelters, totlots, waterplay area, kiosks, disc golf course, basketball court, volleyball court, amphitheater, on-site caretaker, trail connections Woodland Park Woodland Pkwy. Community buildings, public pools, tennis courts, kiosk, picnic tables, barbeques, picnic shelter, benches, turf play area, tot-lot, on-site caretaker, community garden Neighborhood Parks Total Mini Parks Alder Glenn Park Shelly Drive Picnic tables, turf play area, tot-lot, trail connections Amigo Park 0.74 C. Magnifico & A. Arana Picnic tables, benches, tot-lot Bel Esprit Park 2.03 Borden Rd. & Bel Esprit Basketball courts, picnic tables, benches, tot-lot Bougher Park 1.50 Woodland Pkwy & Borden Benches, turf play, Veteran s Memorial Wall Children s Discovery Park 0.92 Via Vera Cruz Picnic tables, benches, tot-lot Civic Center Recreation Area Civic Center Drive Volleyball courts, basketball courts, picnic areas, tot-lot Creek View Park 0.96 Corte Encanto Picnic tables, benches, tot-lot Discovery Meadows Park 1.39 Foxhall Ct. Benches, tot-lot Foothills Park 1.11 Sonoma Street Picnic tables, turf play area, tot-lot, trail connections Laurels Park Avenida Abeja Picnic tables, tot-lot Optimist Park 0.34 Picnic tables San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

4 Table Parkland within the Planning Area Park Name Acreage Location Amenities Pebblestone Park 0.77 Richland & Borden Picnic tables, benches, barbeques, horseshoe pit, sand volleyball area, tot-lot Quail Hills Park 1.28 Eastern terminus of Glendale Avenue Picnic tables, benches, tot-lot, trail connections Questhaven Park 2.48 A. Leon & A. Amigo Tot lot; benches; trail; trail connections Regency Hills Park 0.95 Picnic tables, turf play area, tot-lot Ridgeline Trailhead San Elijo Rd Picnic shelter; horse trailer parking; trail connections Santa Fe Hills Park 1.01 Via Barquero & Borden Picnic tables, tot-lot, trail connection Valley View Park 0.93 C. Del Sol & A. Cordoba Picnic tables, benches, tot-lot Mini-Parks Total Existing Parkland Total Source: City of San Marcos 2011a Recreation The following paragraphs discuss the recreational facilities, major private recreation areas, recreational reserves, and open space found within San Marcos and the nearby communities accessible to residents. Recreational Facilities The City of San Marcos maintains 14 recreational facilities identified in Table It should be noted that some of these facilities listed in Table may be part of a community, neighborhood, or mini park previously listed in Table ; therefore, no acreages are shown for these. Various recreation programs are available to City residents through these facilities, including but not limited to: youth, adult, and senior programs sports leagues special or seasonal programs and events exercise, dance, theater, art, and language classes educational enrichment courses The majority of exercise, dance, theater, art, and language classes are held at the Community Center at 3 Civic Center Drive, although classes are also held at the Joslyn Senior Center, Corky Smith Gymnasium, and San Elijo Recreation Center. The City also maintains joint-use agreements with Palomar College and public schools for public use of athletic facilities. San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

5 Figure City of San Marcos Parkland and Recreational Facilities

6 Table Recreational Facilities in San Marcos Recreational Facility Acreage Location Amenities Community Center Civic Center Drive Community buildings, picnic tables, tot lots, restrooms, turf play. F.H. Corky Smith Gymnasium Pico Ave. Community buildings, basketball courts, restrooms. San Marcos Community Services Center Civic Center Drive Community buildings, picnic tables, tot lots, restrooms, turf play. San Marcos Joslyn Senior Center Richmar Ave. Community buildings, fitness center, picnic tables. Westside Senior Center Grandon Ave. Community buildings, tot lot Heritage Park and Sycamore Drive Museums, historic buildings Museum * Jack s Pond Nature -- La Moree Rd. Nature center Center * Jack s Pond Rec Center * -- La Moree Rd. Youth programs Fulton House* Fulton Rd. Tennis courts, tot lots, restrooms, on-site caretaker. Las Posas Pool* W. Borden Rd. Public pool, picnic shelter, restrooms, onsite caretaker. San Elijo Recreation Center* Elfin Forest Rd. Community buildings, picnic tables, restrooms, trail connections, on-site caretaker. Walnut Grove Park -- Sycamore Dr. Group meeting hall Sports Barn* Williams Barn* -- Sycamore Dr. Events center Wood House* Rock Springs Road Historic house and grounds for events Woodland Modular* Woodland Parkway Youth programs center Woodland Pool* Woodland Parkway Public pool, picnic tables, picnic shelter, restrooms, on-site caretaker. Total Recreation Facilities Acreage 2.84 *These recreational facilities are part of a part of a community, neighborhood, or mini park previously listed in Table ; therefore, no acreages are shown. Source: City of San Marcos 2011a Private Recreational Areas Private recreation areas include Lake San Marcos, located in the unincorporated area of the San Marcos planning area, and the Twin Oaks Golf Course located in the Twin Oaks Valley neighborhood. Lake San Marcos is surrounded by the 250-acre Lake San Marcos Resort and Country Club on the east and the west sides of its banks. The Resort and Country Club includes a golf course, boat rentals, restaurants, spa, and pools (Lake San Marcos 2007). The Twin Oaks Golf Course, owned by JC Golf, is an 18-hole golf course with banquet facilities and a restaurant (JC Golf 2011). Privately owned equestrian San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

7 facilities, such as the Pathfinder Farms, Bheau View Ranch and the Roper Ranch, offer horse boarding and riding lessons. Recreational Reserves Three major recreational reserves are easily accessible to the residents of San Marcos; Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, Daley Ranch, and Blue Sky Ecological Reserve. These reserves encompass large areas of land and may include special recreation features such as lakes, trails, and natural open space. These reserves play an important part in providing a wider spectrum of recreation opportunities for the residents of the community. The 784-acre Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve is located south of the San Marcos. The Elfin Reserve is owned by the San Diego County Water Authority and managed by Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD), offers approximately 11 miles of hiking, mountain biking, equestrian trails, as well as primitive picnic areas and scenic mountain viewing points (OMWD 2011). Daley Ranch is located in the northeastern portion of the City of Escondido, north of Dixon Lake and west of Valley Center Road. Daley Ranch is a 3,058-acre conservation area acquired in 1996 by the City of Escondido and is managed in perpetuity for the preservation of a biologically unique and diverse habitat area of regional importance. Visitors enjoy a variety of recreational and educational opportunities and experiences in a historically significant setting. The property contains a number of natural vegetation communities including lush oak woodlands, coastal sage scrub and chaparral, grasslands, and riparian areas. Daley Ranch offers over 20 miles of multipurpose trails for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use (City of Escondido 2011). The Blue Sky Ecological Reserve in the City of Poway, east of San Marcos, contains 700 acres of riparian habitat, majestic oak woodlands, and hills covered with coastal sage scrub and mixed chaparral (City of Poway 2011). Open Space The City of San Marcos contains approximately 2,499 acres of open space in addition to parkland, comprising 11.8 percent of the total planning area acreage (SANGIS 2009). Open space includes undeveloped lands, visually significant open lands, trails, water areas, and wildlife habitat. Land designated as open space is intended to remain undeveloped in the future. The purpose of designating these open space areas is to preserve environmental resources and aesthetic attributes, and protect public health and safety. As shown in Figure , areas currently designated as open space are primarily located in the Questhaven/La Costa neighborhood, Lake San Marcos, and the College neighborhood, with pockets of open space located in the Barham/Discovery and Richland neighborhoods. The open space acreage includes 202 acres within Double Peak Regional Park. San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

8 Figure City of San Marcos Existing Open Space

9 Recreational Trails The City of San Marcos features 58 miles (70.3 acres) of existing trails for hiking, biking, running, equestrian use, all managed by the City of San Marcos Department of Community Services, Parks, and Recreation. Table provides a description of the existing trail types, uses, locations, and linkages to adjacent communities. It should be noted that there are a number of recreational trails located within the SOI, but these are not included in this discussion. Table Existing Pedestrian/Equestrian Trails and Multi-Use Corridors within the Planning Area Trail/Corridor Cima Drive Loop Discovery Lake Discovery Creek Double Peak Jack s Pond Las Posas/Borden Rancho Dorado Uses Permitted Pedestrian/Equestrian/ Off-road Bicycle Pedestrian/Equestrian/ Bicycle/Rollerblade or Skate Pedestrian/Equestrian/ Off-road Bicycle Pedestrian/Equestrian/ Off-road Bicycle Pedestrian/Limited Equestrian/ Limited bicycle Pedestrian/ Bicycle/Rollerblade or Skate Pedestrian/Limited Equestrian/ Off-road Bicycle Description of Trail/Corridor An easy creekside-level trail that runs east-west and an intermediate hill-climbing trail that goes up the Cima Incline to the water tank area. Easy, flat 0.8 mile loop around Discovery Lake. Multi-use trail that follows the creek from Discovery Lake to the Discovery Elementary School off McMahr Road. Moderately difficult trail which climbs 2.5 miles from Discovery Lake to Double Peak, the second highest peak in the Cerro de las Posas Mountains of San Marcos. Starting from Jack's Pond Park, easy 1/2 mile trail provides access to Jack's Pond. Soft-surfaced and paved trails parallel the parkways along Las Posas and Borden Roads. Dirt trail along the habitat corridor off White Sands Dr. and continues up the hill to Simmons Family Park. Town Center Pedestrian An urban trail that passes Between the new City Hall and the Community Center. This is a paved walking trail which parallels San Marcos Creek, Twin Oaks Valley Road and Mission Road. Twin Oaks Valley Source: City of San Marcos 2011b Pedestrian/Equestrian/ Bicycle Easy, 4-mile round trip alongside the Twin Oaks Valley golf course. Linkages to Adjacent Communities Barham/Discovery Barham/Discovery Barham/Discovery Trail begins to the north in Barham/Discovery. Trail heads south to San Elijo Ranch in Questhaven/La Costa. Barham/Discovery College Lake San Marcos Richmar Twin Oaks Valley San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

10 According to the 1990 City of San Marcos Parks Master Plan, a system of major trail corridors was planned in order to provide highly developed trails suitable for handicapped use in addition to trails made of rougher construction for pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian use (City of San Marcos 1990). The goal of the trail system was expanded in recent years to provide an alternative means of circulation for nonmotorized travelers through an inter-linked citywide system of trails connecting residential neighborhoods to parks, schools, colleges, stores, restaurants, movie theaters and other important destinations, while encouraging recreation and an active lifestyle (City of San Marcos 2009c). In 1995, modification of the 1990 Master Trail Plan was conducted in order to avoid duplication of trails and reduce the impact to property owners. This modification was presented in the 1995 Trail Implementation Plan, which combined and reduced the widths of a number of the Master Trail Plan trails while maintaining the integrity of both paved and soft-surface trails, preventing duplication of trails while still providing the necessary connective loops, reducing or minimizing the impact to existing homeowners, and compensating landowners for property that is needed for the trail. The trail system has been primarily constructed as a condition of development by major residential developments. The balance of the trail system was funded by grants and donations or the City s general fund (City of San Marcos 2009b). Recent trails activity includes: Completion of Phase I of the Inland Rail Trail, which was completed September 2007 and includes 7 miles of exclusive bicycle lanes from the Escondido Transit Center to Pacific Street in San Marcos. The trail addition will extend the bikeway to Las Flores Drive to provide connection to the Palomar Transit Station, Palomar College, Loma Alta Trail and adjoining employment centers. Completion of the Linda Vista Drive Trail, a half-mile paved trail through the Linda Vista Drive Park at La Mirada Drive. Completion of Hollandia Park and Borden Road Trails, a mile of multi-use, soft-surface trails through Hollandia Park. Completion of Barham Drive Trail, which is a mile of urban trail along Barham Drive. Existing Parkland, Recreational Facilities, and Trails Ratio Table identifies existing parkland, recreational facilities, and trails ratio per 1,000 residents, as documented for The total acreage includes parkland, recreational facilities, and trails within the corporate city limits only. It should be noted that there is existing parkland, recreational facilities, and trails located within the SOI, but these are not included in the existing parkland, recreational facilities, and trails ratio. In addition, private recreational areas, nearby recreational reserves, and open space provide valuable recreation area for residents, but are not included in the existing parkland, recreational facilities, and trails ratio. San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

11 Table Existing San Marcos Parkland, Recreational Facilities, and Trails Ratio City of San Marcos¹ Planning Area Existing Population (2010) 84,391 90,385 Existing Park Acreage Existing Parkland Ratio (acres/1,000 residents) ¹ 2010 Population based on SANDAG 2011 published fast fact data update March The existing parkland acreage used for the analysis in this EIR is based on expected population for the City of San Marcos only, and not the entire planning area. The parkland in the SOI was not assumed in the total parkland acreage. At the national level, professional park planners have not adopted a parkland acreage goal or standard for urban areas. Many cities throughout California use a standard of 3.0 to 5.0 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents as a benchmark for sufficient park space. The State Quimby Act recommends, but does not require, a park acreage of 3 acres per 1,000 population. The City of San Marcos has adopted a standard of 5.0 acres per 1,000 residents; this is the ratio the City uses for park dedication/fees requirements REGULATORY SETTING The following provides a general description of the applicable regulatory requirements for the planning area, including federal, state, regional, and local guidelines. Federal Regulations National Trails System Act of 1968 (Public Law ) The National Trails System (NTS) was created in 1968 by the National Trails System Act (NTSA). The NTSA authorized a nationwide system of interstate riding and hiking trails to provide additional outdoor recreation opportunities and to promote the preservation of access to the outdoor areas and historic resources of the nation. The NTS established four classes of trails: National Scenic Trails, National Historic Trails, National Recreation Trails, and Connecting or Side Trails (Johnson 2009). At the state level, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) prepared the California Recreational Trails Plan. Federal and state governments adopted this legislation to protect existing trails and to provide for new trails and related facilities (County of San Diego 2011). Department of Transportation Act of 1966 Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 specifies that a transportation project requiring the use of publicly owned parks, recreation areas, historic sites (including those owned privately), wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and many other types of resources can be approved only if there is no feasible and prudent alternate to using that land and if the project is planned to minimize harm to the property. San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

12 General procedures are as follows: A specific finding is required. Section 4(f) lands land may be used for Federal Aid highways only if: 1. There is no prudent and feasible alternative to using that land; and 2. The program or project includes all possible planning to minimize harm to the park, recreation area, wildlife and waterfowl refuge, or historic site resulting from the use. Each project proposal must include a Section 4(f) avoidance alternative (Caltrans 2011). State Regulations Quimby Act Cities and counties have been authorized since the passage of the 1975 Quimby Act (California Government Code 66477) to pass ordinances requiring that developers set aside land, donate conservation easements, or pay fees for park improvements. Revenues generated through the Quimby Act cannot be used for the operation and maintenance of park facilities. The goal of the Quimby Act was to require developers to help mitigate the impacts of property improvements. The act gives authority for passage of land dedication ordinances only to cities and counties. Special districts must work with cities and/or counties to receive parkland dedication and/or in-lieu fees. The fees must be paid and land conveyed directly to the local public agencies that provide park and recreation services communitywide (Westrup 2002). Government Code Section This regulation requires that every California city and county adopt an open space zoning ordinance consistent with the open space element of its General Plan. The Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 The Landscaping and Lighting Act enables cities, counties, and special districts to acquire land for parks, recreation, and open space. A local government may also use the assessments to pay for improvements and maintenance to these areas. In addition to local government agencies (i.e., counties and cities), park and recreation facilities may be provided by other public agencies, such as community service districts, park and recreation districts, water districts, etc. If so empowered, such an agency may acquire, develop, and operate recreation facilities for the general public (County of San Diego 2011). The Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act The Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act (Government Code [GC] section et seq.) is a tax-based financing method available to cities, counties, and special districts. It authorizes local governments to establish community facilities districts (CFDs) within which they may levy special taxes and issue bonds to finance open space acquisition, maintenance, and other programs. San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

13 Approval of the special tax and any related bond issue requires approval by two-thirds of the district electorate. When there are fewer than 12 registered voters in a CFD, approval must be by two-thirds of the district s landowners. As with all special taxes, Mello-Roos taxes are subject to reduction or repeal by initiative under Proposition 218 (OPR 1997). The Little-Used Open Space Maintenance Act The Little-Used Open Space Maintenance Act (GC section et seq.) is helpful when a city or county has already acquired open space, but does not have a way to pay for its maintenance. Under the act, local governments may levy ad valorem special assessments to improve and maintain open space; reduce fire, flood, and erosion hazards; and perform related activities (OPR 1997). Senate Bill 1685 Senate Bill (SB) 1685 (Chapter 982, Statutes of 1986) authorizes open space districts to levy special assessments for open space purposes. The enabling legislation for regional open space districts is in the California Public Resources Code (PRC) commencing with Section 5500, and in the Government Code commencing with Section Pursuant to this SB, regional park and open space districts are formed when three or more jurisdictions, together with any parcel of city or county territory, organize a contiguous area with the intent for the designated space to serve the park and recreational needs in San Diego County. SB 1685 is the same authority as that for regional park districts and open space districts (County of San Diego 2011). Open Space Easement Act of 1974 Cities and counties may acquire open space easements pursuant to the Open Space Easement Act. Land must remain within an easement in perpetuity or, alternatively, for at least 10 years. An easement s term is automatically extended each year by an additional 12 months. Under certain circumstances, open space easements may be abandoned. Privately dedicated open space easements for mitigation purposes are dedicated in perpetuity and cannot be abandoned (County of San Diego 2011). The Conservation Easement Act of 1979 The Conservation Easement Act enables a city, county, district, or nonprofit organization to acquire perpetual easements for the conservation of agricultural land and open space, or for historic preservation. Unlike open space easements, there is no procedure for nonrenewal of conservation easements and there is no expiration date. In establishing an easement, a landowner and local agency agree on the permitted land uses within the conservation area. The easement is binding upon successive owners of the land (County of San Diego 2011). San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

14 Local Plans and Policies The City of San Marcos Parks Master Plan The 1990 Parks Master Plan presents a vision of the parks and recreational future for San Marcos. It contains the concept for the Plan, program for individual parks, and development of the trails system. The Plan also contains acreage standards for parkland per person and descriptions of active use and passive use recreation areas (City of San Marcos 1990). The City of San Marcos Master Trails Plan The Master Trails Plan envisions a system of connectivity through trail corridors networked across the City. To meet this goal, the Master Trails Plan creates 72 miles of trails that will provide an alternative means of circulation and recreational opportunities to San Marcos residents and visitors. These trails will include 21 miles of urban trails, 36 miles of Multiuse trails, and 15 miles of soft-surface trails that connect neighborhoods to parks, schools, and workplaces as well as connect to the trail systems of neighboring cities and the County of San Diego (City of San Marcos 2011d). The City of San Marcos Bikeway Master Plan The 2005 Bikeway Master Plan is an update to the city s original master plan adopted in Goals of the master plan were to obtain State Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) grant funds and improve bicycle facilities throughout the city for safer routes to school, connections to adjacent cities and incorporate an environmental inventory analysis. One of the goals of the master plan was to connect the City s trails to bicycle facilities to complete a safe and enjoyable trail and bikeway system (City of San Marcos 2005). City of San Marcos Municipal Code Section 9.04 of the City of San Marcos Municipal Code includes the general provisions and regulations for parks, trials and recreation facilities THRESHOLDS FOR DETERMINING SIGNIFICANCE The impact of the proposed project related to recreation would be considered significant if it would exceed the following thresholds of significance, in accordance with Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines: Increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated; or Include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse effect on the environment. San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

15 ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Increased Use and Physical Deterioration of Recreational Resources Planned development capacity of land uses pursuant to the proposed General Plan could result in an increase of approximately 11,208 dwelling units and an increased in population of 37,655 persons over existing conditions. The increased population resulting from implementation of the proposed General Plan will create a demand for additional park improvements to increase the availability of recreational opportunities within the San Marcos planning area. This population increase would require expansion of existing facilities and/or construction of new park and recreation facilities. At the national level, professional park planners have not adopted a parkland acreage goal or standard for urban areas. Many cities throughout California use a standard of 3.0 to 5.0 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents as a benchmark for sufficient park space. The State Quimby Act recommends, but does not require, a park acreage of 3 acres per 1,000 population. The City of San Marcos has adopted a standard of 5.0 acres per 1,000 residents and this is the ratio the City uses for park dedication/fees requirements. Based on existing parkland, recreational facilities, and trails located within the corporate city limits of San Marcos, the existing ratio is 4.05 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. The City of San Marcos plans to upgrade a number of existing parks and trails, and create additional (new) parkland and trails, as shown in Table There are no plans at this time to upgrade or create existing recreational facilities; however, the City may plan additional recreational facilities as needed in the future. Table Planned Future Parkland and Trails in San Marcos Park Name Park Acreage Existing Future Improvement to Existing Park/Trails or New Park/Trail Community Parks Bradley Park Improvement to Existing Park Discovery Lake Park Improvement to Existing Park South Lake Park New Park Walnut Grove Barn & Park Improvement to Existing Park Neighborhood Parks Connors Park (San Marcos Elementary) New Park Creek District Park New Park La Moree Park New Park Montiel Park Improvement to Existing Park San Marcos Creek New Park University District Park New Park San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

16 Table Planned Future Parkland and Trails in San Marcos Park Name Park Acreage Existing Future Improvement to Existing Park/Trails or New Park/Trail Mini Parks Bougher Park Improvement to Existing Park Richmar Park New Park Trails Total Trails Improvements to Existing Trails and Creation of New Trails Total New Parkland and Trails Source: City of San Marcos 2011 Given the planned improvements discussed above, Table identifies totals for existing and future parkland, recreational facilities, and trails with implementation of the General Plan. Table Total Existing and Future Parkland, Recreational Facilities, and Trails in San Marcos Parkland Recreational Facilities Trails Total Existing Acreage Future Acreage Total Table identifies the future parkland, recreational facilities, and trails ratio per 1,000 residents. The total acreage includes parkland, recreational facilities, and trails within the corporate city limits only. It should be noted that there is existing parkland, recreational facilities, and trails located within the SOI, but these are not included in the existing parkland, recreational facilities, and trails ratio. In addition, private recreational areas, nearby recreational reserves, and open space provide valuable recreation area for residents, but are not included in the existing parkland, recreational facilities, and trails ratio. San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

17 Area Table Future San Marcos Parkland, Recreational Facilities, and Trails Ratio Expected Population¹ Number of Acres needed to meet 5.0/ 1,000 standard General Plan Expected Park Acreage Parkland Acreage Deficit Planned Parkland Acreage Ratio City of San Marcos 121, (7.00) 4.94/1,000 2 Planning Area 127, (39.70) 4.68/1,000 1 Refer to Section 2.4 and Table in the Project Description (Chapter 2.0) for a discussion on expected population. 2 The planned parkland acreage used for the analysis in this EIR is based on expected population for the City of San Marcos only, and not the entire planning area. The parkland in the SOI was not assumed in the total parkland acreage for the purposes of a conservative analysis. As shown in Tables through , implementation of the General Plan would increase the existing the parkland, recreational facilities, and trails; thus resulting in an increased parkland ratio from the existing 4.03 acres per 1,000 persons to 4.94 acres per 1,000 persons. While this does not quite meet the City s adopted standard of 5.0 acres per 1,000 residents, it only represents an approximate 1 percent difference, which is not considered to be significantly less than the adopted standard. In addition, it should be noted that the Regional Double Peaks Park over 200 acres in size, but only 10 acres of it is developed and accounted for in the parkland totals discussed above for a conservative analysis. This additional park acreage, if included, would have increased the parkland ratio far above the City s standard. Thus, population resulting from additional planned development capacity would have a greater range of choices and larger acreage to choose from for recreational needs than presently available. Increasing the number of acres per 1,000 persons in the planning area would reduce the demand on any single park or recreational facility. Due to a planned increase of park land acreage per 1,000 people within the planning area, use level of existing community parks, such as public parks, recreational facilities, and private recreational areas, would be expected to remain constant. Additionally, the City of San Marcos requires the provision of parks and/or open space park land for residential and non-residential development projects. In lieu of providing acreage, the City can assess project fees for community park land as stipulated by the Quimby Act. These fees will be used to acquire community park land as sufficient funding and land become available, and/or to expand and maintain existing recreational facilities. Implementation of the proposed General Plan would contribute additional funding to the City of San Marcos as new development occurs and fees resulting from the Quimby Act are paid. As a result of the Act, it is likely that even more additional parkland would be developed in coming years, above the acreage discussed in Table as the large inventory of Specific Plan Areas are developed. Addition of these areas, public or private, would increase the park area choice for the planning area and further reduce the demand on, use of, and deterioration of existing community park facilities. San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011

18 For all recreational resources community parks, recreational reserves and open space, and recreational trails the implementation of the policies and park planning of the proposed General Plan would result in less than significant program-level impacts on the use, acceleration or substantial physical deterioration of recreational resources. Construction or Expansion of Recreational Facilities The proposed General Plan land use plan has identified acres for future parkland and trails development. Future development of park and recreational facilities could potentially result in significant impacts in such areas as aesthetics, biology, geology, noise, biology, hazards and hazardous materials, and water quality. The physical impacts of the expansion of parkland and its associated activities have been accounted for throughout the program level of analysis within this EIR. The actual impacts of new park facilities would depend upon the precise type and location of such facilities and would therefore need to be addressed in a project-level environmental review. Existing City programs for project design and approval as well as the CEQA environmental review process require that such potential impacts be addressed prior to construction of new facilities. For example, parks planned through future development pursuant to the General Plan, such as University District Park, Creek District Park and the Discovery Lake Park expansion (Hanson s Park), are associated with approved or pending Specific Plans and will be or have been independently reviewed under CEQA for environmental impacts. Therefore, the impact at this program level of analysis would be less than significant MITIGATION MEASURES Implementation of the San Marcos General Plan would result in less than significant impacts related to recreational resources. Mitigation is not required SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION The implementation of the proposed General Plan policies and existing City regulations would result in less than significant potential impacts from increased use and physical deterioration of existing recreational resources, and construction or expansion of existing recreational facilities at this Program EIR level of analysis. San Marcos General Plan EIR November 2011