3.11 PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION

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1 3.11 PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION This section identifies existing park, open space, and recreation resources, assesses potential impacts associated with the proposed project, and recommends mitigation measures to reduce potential project impacts to levels of insignificance ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING Isla Vista currently enjoys a system of parks, open spaces, informal trails and recreational opportunities which are operated and maintained by the Isla Vista Recreation and Parks District (IVRPD). The IVRPD maintains County owned property under a maintenance contract. The community is surrounded by additional recreational opportunities including several coastal access points, open space, and play fields on adjacent UCSB-owned property. A majority of Isla Vista s existing open spaces and parks afford passive recreational opportunities to area residents. Isla Vista Parks and Open Space IVRPD currently maintains almost 57 acres of passive and active recreational facilities within a total of 25 parks (Figure ). Ownership of the parks is distributed between the County, the IVRPD and the RDA (Table ). The park network includes neighborhood, bluff top and downtown parks. There are three major parks located in downtown Isla Vista. Anisq Oyo Park, Perfect Park, and People s Park form a large urban park in the downtown. Together, they form a significant amenity to this area. Collectively, the parks contain large open spaces, playground equipment, a man-made urban pond, the Perfect Park Peace Monument, a sizeable outdoor amphitheater, and a parking lot located at the southern portion of the park network. Often the sites of community events, these parks are the most heavily used within the community. Anisq Oyo Park is located at the center of the downtown, yet it does not serve as the community s focal point due in part, to the poor connectivity to the downtown retail businesses surrounding the park. The park includes a man-made urban pond that is designated an ESHA that requires extensive periodic maintenance and filling of water, especially during summer months. The park s physical layout could be improved to better serve the community s residents and to serve as a more suitable connection to Pardall Road. Perfect Park is connected to Anisq Oyo Park and is located at the southern end of the Embarcadero Loop. Maintained trails wind through the south portion of the park, which features native vegetation. People s Park provides a large lawn area directly northeast of Perfect Park. Neighborhood parks are located throughout Isla Vista serving nearby residents. Estero Park, located in western Isla Vista, is a medium-sized park with a variety of active and passive recreational opportunities. Estero Park is the site of the proposed community center project. Children s Park is located in an area of Isla Vista densely populated with families and contains play equipment and benches. Bluff top parks and open spaces are located along the southern side of Del Playa Drive and provide recreation and coastal viewing opportunities for residents and visitors. Outside of several vacant, privately owned parcels, these bluff top parks and open spaces are currently the Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

2 Figure : Isla Vista Public Parks and Open Spaces Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

3 Table Ownership of Isla Vista Parks and Open Spaces Park/Open Space Redevelopment Agency (acreage) IVRPD (acreage) Anisq Oyo Park 3.17 Santa Barbara County (acreage) Camino Corto Open Space 2.47 Camino Pescadero Park.5 Children s Park.74 Del Playa Courts.29 Del Playa Open Space 3.34 Del Sol Vernal Pool Reserve 12. Estero Park 5.36 Gaffney Park.51 Greek Park.51 Kid s Trail Park.29 Little Acorn Park.61 Pardall Gardens.18 Pelican Park 1. People s Park.6 Perfect Park 1.11 Rotappel Park.31 Sea Lookout Park 1.29 Sueno Orchard.88 Sueno Park.41 Tierra de Fortuna 1.2 Tipi Village 1.42 Trigo-Pasado Park.34 Window to the Sea.34 TOTAL Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

4 only undeveloped sites along the bluffs. Several of the bluff top parks also provide coastal access opportunities. Bluff top acreage accounts for approximately 11% of the overall park acreage in Isla Vista. The Camino Corto Open Space and the Del Sol vernal pool area, which contain rare and endangered habitats, total over 32 acres. This large vernal pool complex is located in the northwestern edge of the project area and offers passive recreational opportunities. Camino Corto Open Space is located within the Devereux Slough watershed, with onsite drainages connecting to the slough. The property provides heavily-used pedestrian footpaths connecting Isla Vista School, university housing, the University Childcare Center, West Campus stables, the Devereux nature preserve and the surrounding residential area. The Del Sol vernal pool area is adjacent to the Camino Corto Open Space and offers similar passive recreational opportunities. The IVRPD has identified both sites as having distinctive or irreplaceable resources that require conservation or special management. The Ellwood Mesa area and greater Devereux Slough ecosystem are in close proximity to Isla Vista. Passive recreational activities currently take place over most of this area. Recreational use of this area varies according to season. During the academic school year at UCSB, there are a greater number of students who use this area, especially during the warmer and drier months of the year. Fewer joggers, hikers, bicyclists, and other recreational users are present during wet periods. Joggers, hikers, and horseback riders often use some combination of the Ellwood, West Campus, and Sands beaches. Access to this area is limited to the existing coastal access points shown on Figure This graphic also identifies future improvements under the Ellwood- Devereux Joint Regional Open Space Plan, currently under review for certification by the California Coastal Commission. The primary recreational activities that currently take place within this area include: Hiking Sun bathing Biking Swimming Picnicking Surfing Wildlife viewing Surf fishing Walking/jogging Dog walking Horseback Riding Photography Public boardwalk or trail use Recreation The County Parks Department and two 199 s recreation studies identified a general deficit of small sized green playing fields for informal, non-league tournament recreation throughout the South Coast. UCSB students have direct access to existing active recreational facilities at UCSB, while other adult residents have limited access. The plan area s 1,3 children may not have the same type of access to UCSB facilities as adults in Isla Vista. Less than ten acres of parks are programmed with existing active recreational facilities, while much of the open space Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

5 Figure : Existing Recreational Amenities and Future Improvements Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

6 acreage is for passive use and protection of environmentally sensitive habitat, including the Camino Corto and Del Sol vernal pool complexes. These environmentally sensitive habitat areas are compatible with passive recreation amenities, such as appropriately located trails, benches for wildlife watching and occasional picnic tables. Developer Fees, specifically Quimby Fees and Park Development Mitigation Fees, are one of the sources of capital funding for parks, open space and trails. The Quimby Act (Government Code Section 66477) is the enabling statute for Ordinance 4317 of the Santa Barbara County Code which requires the dedication of land and/or payment of an in lieu fee for the purposes of providing park and recreation facilities as a condition of all subdivisions of land. Any subdivision creating 5 or more parcels or dwelling units may be required to dedicate land for park purposes. Park Development Mitigation Fees are collected on all other residential developments per County Ordinance 4348 and 4363 for projects which do not include a subdivision, but add new residential units. Park Development Mitigation fees are also collected on new construction of commercial/industrial development under Ordinance The Park Development Mitigation Fee Ordinances also contain provisions for credits on fees for certain beneficial projects as incorporated by the Board of Supervisors in Ordinance 4363 and The recreation section of the County s Land Use Element (198) identifies that 4.7 acres of park land are needed for every 1, residents. When viewing Isla Vista in isolation, this community has a deficit of 3 acres of park land. The recreation section does not stipulate what type of recreational uses (i.e. passive or active recreation) should exist on the park lands. Many communities create standard ratios for certain types of recreation facilities based on a community specific Recreational Needs Assessment that takes into account established national standards as well as local community needs. The 198 plan also outlined the adopted recreation demand projections for the entire Goleta Area which are included in Table Active recreational opportunities within Isla Vista are limited. Of the 25 parks and open spaces, a total of eight provide active recreation facilities. These include basketball courts, playground equipment, a Frisbee golf course, a ping pong table, sports fields and volleyball courts. Table identifies IVRPD-provided facilities in Isla Vista and outlines the different types of recreational uses which are provided at each Isla Vista park or open space. Using the most recent census data, the population of Isla Vista is approximately 18,5 which equates to a ratio of 3.5 acres of parks per 1, residents. This figure does not include Isla Vista beaches, adjacent UCSB-owned properties or the Coal Oil Point Reserve. Proposed Isla Vista Community Center The proposed Isla Vista Community Center, which will be located in Estero Park along Camino Del Sur Road, will provide the neighborhood with a centralized location for the Isla Vista Youth Projects and Isla Vista Teen Center. The facility will also offer a home for intergenerational day care services, and multi-use rooms available for a variety of community events. The addition of neighborhood-scale commercial amenities within the center is proposed as well. The proposed project would include grading activities, the construction of a 42,55 square foot building, a soccer field, three basketball courts, relocation of the existing community gardens to Sueno Orchard, a skateboard park, accessory structures (e.g., picnic tables, interpretive signs, drinking fountains) to facilitate the passive recreational use of the property, and a complete re-landscaping of the property (see Table ). The Red Barn, greenhouse, and community gardens would be Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

7 moved to Sueno Orchard which is approximately.92 acres. Fruit trees will be planted at Sueno Orchard. An existing bio-swale will be altered and a new bio-swale will be constructed to drain and treat storm water. Table : Recreational Standards National Recreation Santa Barbara Activity and Park Association County Youth Baseball 1 field/5, 1/4, Adult Softball 1 field/5, 1/7,5 Basketball 1 court/5, 1/4,5 Volleyball 1 court/5, N/A Soccer Adult Youth Swimming Pools Competition Instruction 1field/1, 1 field/ 25, 1 field/ 4,5 1/2, 1/5, 1/2, Golf 1/5, N/A Tennis 1/2, 1 court/3,5 Indoor Recreation 1/15, Athletics Programs 1.1 acre/1,.55 acre/1, Outdoor Theater N/A 1 acre/25, Nature Walks N/A 2.27 acres/1, Family Picnicking N/A 3.2 acres/1, Group Picnicking N/A 8.4 acres/ 1, *National Recreation and Park Association recommended guidelines (1983). Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

8 Table : Isla Vista Parks and Open Space Recreational Facilities Amphitheater Basketball Courts Barbecues Bathrooms Beach Access Playground Equipment Frisbee Golf Course Gazebo Ocean Vistas Picnic Tables Ping Pong Table Pond Shower Sports Field Teen Center Volleyball Court Drinking Fountain 1 Anisq'Oyo' X X X X X X 2 Camino Corto Open Space 3 Camino Pascadero Park X X X X 4 Children's X X X X X 5 Del Playa Courts X 6 Del Sol Vernal Pools X 7 Del Playa Open Space X X 8 District Office 9 Estero Park X X X X X X X X 1 Gaffney Park X 11 Greek Park X X X X 12 Kid's Trail Park 13 Little Acorn Park X 14 Pardall Gardens X 15 Pelican Park X X X X 16 People's Park X 17 Perfect Park 18 Rotappel X 19 Sea Lookout park X X 2 Sueño Orchard X 21 Sueño Park X X X 22 Tierra De Fortuna X X X X 23 Tipi Village 24 Trigo-Pasado X 25 Window to the Sea X 26 Camino Majorca Beach Access X 27 Escondido Pass Beach Access X 28 Camino Del Sur Beach Access X 29 El Embarcadero Beach Access X Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

9 Rezone and Parcel Information Construction of proposed the Community Center buildings will require a rezone, according to Article II, the County s coastal zoning ordinance. The project will require that parcel APN be merged with APN and rezoned from Recreation to Professional and Institutional. The following is a breakdown of parcel information for Estero Park and Sueno Orchard. Table Estero Park Parcel and Zoning Information Parcel Number (APN) Net Parcel Size Existing Zoning Proposed Zoning Acre Recreation Recreation Acres Recreation Professional and Institutional (merged with APN ) Acre Recreation Recreation Acre Recreation Recreation Acre Recreation Recreation Acre Recreation Recreation Acre Professional and Institutional Professional and Institutional Acres Recreation Recreation Acre Recreation Recreation TOTAL: 7.87 Acres Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

10 Table Estero Park Uses Existing Proposed Activity Square Feet Acres Activity Square Feet Acres Basketball Community Center Community Gardens Frisbee Golf Intergenerational Center IVRPD Greenhouse IVRPD Maintenance Natural Area/Bio-Swale Open Space Parking Paved Areas Playfields Playground Skateboard Park Teen Center Woodland 7, , , , ,756. n/a 89, , , ,464. 6, , , n/a Basketball Community Center Community Gardens Frisbee Golf Intergenerational Center IVRPD Greenhouse IVRPD (Maintenance) Natural Area/Bio-Swale Open Space Multipurpose Plaza/Parking 1 Paved Areas Playfields 2 Playground Skateboard Park Teen Center 3 Woodland 8,4. 5, , , , , , , ,18.68 n/a 65, , , ,5. 11, n/a TOTAL 358, TOTAL 361, Includes employee parking (8,29.91 sf). 2 Includes soccer field (5, sf), and adult and children s outdoor recreation area (15,3.6 sf) 3 The Teen Center will be included in the Intergenerational Center It is anticipated that development of the Community Center and the Estero Park complex will alleviate a majority of the active recreational deficit in the Isla Vista community. Reconfiguring Estero and Sueno Parks and the Sueno Orchard will facilitate the creation of a soccer field, a skateboard park, playground and outdoor recreational areas and basketball courts. As proposed, a total of 18,434 square feet (2.48 acres) of active recreational space will be added to Estero Park. A total of 155,875 square feet (3.59 acres) will remain as passive recreational space, including the oak woodland, open spaces, and a constructed bio-swale. The addition of active recreational amenities will displace approximately 51,923 square feet (1.19 acres) of open space. As proposed, a Frisbee Golf Course is not included in the Estero Park master planning process. Table compares existing and proposed facilities with adopted standards in the Land Use Element. In several categories, a deficiency exists for a particular use, including softball, soccer, swimming pool and tennis facilities. This trend reflects a broader deficiency of active recreational uses across the South Coast. However, many of the South Coast s active recreation facilities are located within ½ mile from the project area, including on Girsh Park and on the UCSB campus. Nevertheless, within the project area passive recreation opportunities are more prevalent than active recreation opportunities.. The majority of Isla Vista parks include maintained and informal trails, vast landscaped areas and passive recreational elements. Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

11 Activity Table Isla Vista Facility Comparison Existing Facilities Proposed Facilities Santa Barbara County Adopted Land Use Element Standards (Based on Isla Vista population) Youth Baseball 4.62 fields Adult Softball 2.47 fields Basketball courts Volleyball 2 2 N/A Soccer Adult Youth Swimming Pools Competition Instruction 1/1, 1 field.74 fields 4.11 fields.37 pool.925 pool Golf N/A Tennis 5.29 courts Indoor Recreation* Approximately 11,556 sf Athletics Programs 18,995 sf 24,879 sf 2.3 acres 1.1 acres Outdoor Theater** 1/3 acre Approximately 1/3-3/4 acre 1/2 acre Nature Walks N/A N/A 3.83 acres Family Picnicking*** 59 tables N/A 6 acres Group Picnicking*** N/A N/A 14.8 acres *Proposed Isla Vista Community Center, expected date of occupancy, spring 28. Existing facility calculation includes the Isla Vista Teen Center and Isla Vista Youth Projects, which houses a day care facility as well. **Exact acreage of the relocated Anisq Oyo amphitheater has not yet been determined. *** Picnic tables are located at a total of 15 Isla Vista parks. Barbeques are located at a total of two parks. Regional Facilities County Parks. The County Parks Department is responsible for enhancing recreational opportunities, preserving natural resources, and maintaining facilities at County parks and open spaces. In the general project vicinity, the County maintains a few public parks for recreational use including Sea Lookout Park and Goleta Beach County Park. IVRPD is contracted by the County to provide a portion of the maintenance at Sea Lookout Park. Sea Lookout Park is a 1.29 acre park with a lawn area for sports on the bluff and three raised wooden platforms for lounging and enjoying the view. Goleta Beach County Park (29 acres) is located directly east of the UCSB main campus. The park provides active recreational facilities such as volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, fishing pier, boat launching, playground equipment, and individual and group picnic areas, as well as a restaurant and snack bar. UCSB Facilities. UCSB is a primary recreational resource for both UCSB affiliates (students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families) and the South Coast community. According to the 199 and 1997 Long Range Development Plan EIRs (University, 199; Wallace, Roberts and Todd, 1997), UCSB provides approximately 77 acres (9 percent of campus land) for recreational facilities, and 18 acres (13 percent) for landscaped open space. The main concentration of recreational Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

12 facilities is located in the northwest corner of the Main Campus, which is located directly adjacent to Isla Vista. The Recreation Center and Aquatics Complex, located in this area adjacent to Rob Field, provides for consolidated recreational, athletic and administrative facilities (Figure ). In addition to landscaped open space areas, UCSB also provides access to 2.5 miles of coastline from four coastal access points on the campus. UCSB also provides numerous recreational programs in both academic and non-academic formats. Stables and boarding facilities are also provided on the University s West Campus area. City of Goleta Parks and Open Spaces. The City of Goleta is responsible for the Santa Barbara Shores City Park, in addition to several local parks. The Santa Barbara Shores Park, as currently configured, is 118 acres adjacent to the Monarch Point Reserve site. The property boundaries of the park are anticipated to change associated with the Joint Proposal for the Ellwood-Devereux Coast. Trails The existing trail network consists of informal trails and coastal access points. The 12-acre Del Sol Vernal Pool Reserve and the roughly 21-acre Camino Corto Open Space are linked by a network of trails to the larger Ellwood-Devereux Open Space Area. The Isla Vista School trail and the North Slough Finger Connector are used primarily by bicyclists and pedestrians. The West Campus bluffs area sits just west of the Isla Vista project area. This portion of the Ellwood-Devereux Open Space Area, which is accessed off of Camino Majorca Road, offers multiple informal trails that lead to Coal Oil Point and the remaining open space areas. Within Isla Vista, there are several existing trails along the vacant bluff top areas and along the western boundary. Most trails provide coastal access or coastal viewing opportunities. A few trail segments currently exist on privately owned land. If these parcels are developed in the future, these informal trails would be removed. Figure depicts existing off-road and onroad trails in Isla Vista. Additional trails are designated and planned in the Goleta Community Plan Parks, Recreation, and Trails (PRT) Map and in the Goleta Trails and Implementation Plan. However, such a planning designation does not mean the trail exists or that it is in accordance with County trail guidelines. This designation is for planning purposes only and references that the County has a proposal for a future trail or may hold an easement for future trail development. Coastal Access At the present time, the existing level of coastal access appears sufficient. There are currently five coastal access points in Isla Vista. Figure illustrates the location of each point. In addition, there are access points adjacent to the project area at the Coal Oil Point Reserve and the UCSB Lagoon area. The greatest distance between the access points is 1/4 mile and the shortest distance is 1/8 mile. Maintaining these existing access points from the impacts of erosion and wave action is a continuous task. Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

13 Figure : Existing Regional Recreation Areas Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

14 Figure : Isla Vista Existing and Proposed Trail Network and Coastal Access Points Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

15 Additional access points have been explored, but several have been deemed infeasible due to their proximity to Environmentally Sensitive Habitat (ESH). Under the Ellwood-Devereux Joint Proposal, a new beach access is proposed along the West Campus Bluffs, just west of the project area. A former informal beach access on UCSB property, located directly adjacent to the east end of Del Playa Drive has also been proposed as a future coastal access point. This would be a beneficial access area because it would serve both Isla Vista residents and UCSB residential hall residents along Ocean Road REGULATORY FRAMEWORK County Local Coastal Program The LCP contains the principal land use policies for development within Santa Barbara County s Coastal Zone. This program, pursuant to requirements of the California Coastal Act (Section 318.5) contains the relevant portion of a local government s general plan, or local coastal element, which indicates the kinds, locations, and intensity of land uses, the applicable resource protection and development policies and a listing of implementing actions. The County s LCP first came into effect in 1982 and has been revised periodically to update policies. The Coastal Land Use Plan (CLUP) represents one component of the LCP, which also includes Land Use Maps of the Coastal Zone, the Coastal Zoning Ordinance (codified as Article II of Chapter 35 in the Santa Barbara County Code) and the Coastal Zoning Maps. County Comprehensive Plan/Goleta Community Plan The Goleta Community Plan includes policies for the Isla Vista area. Policy PRT-GV-1: Diverse outdoor and indoor recreational opportunities shall be encouraged to enhance Goleta s recreational resources and to ensure that current and future recreational needs of residents are met. Policy PRT-GV-2C: For projects seeking general plan amendments and/or rezones, the county shall review the Goleta Trails Implementation Study to determine if a new trail corridor should be considered for the area/watershed in which the project is located, consistent with applicable Agricultural Element and resource protection policies. Action PRT-GV-14.2: The County shall pursue the purchase of vacant properties for potential use as parks or open space, where the purchase would serve as buffer zones for residential or commercial development, provide usable recreation space, or preserve wildlife habitats and migration corridors or sensitive biological resources. County Land Use/ Recreation Element The County Land Use Element includes policies that encourage joint recreational use of schools and other public-owned lands whenever possible. In addition, the Land Use Element states that future development of parks should emphasize meeting the needs of local residents. The Recreation Element (part of the Land Use Element) does not include specific policies, but Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

16 does help to establish a baseline level of park and recreation service to serve as a guide and defines the need for recreation activities in terms of space and facilities in order to satisfy a measured demand for those activities THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE As suggested by Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project may have a significant impact related to recreation if it would: 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 physical effect on the environment. The County s Environmental Thresholds and Guidelines Manual do not contain a significance threshold for recreation. However, when viewing Isla Vista in isolation, existing County guidelines of 4.7 acres of parkland per thousand persons indicate an existing deficit of about 3 acres. Although a deficit of parks and recreation opportunities exist throughout the Goleta Valley, the overall deficiency of park space in Isla Vista is less severe than indicated by those figures due to the close proximity of passive and active recreational opportunities at UCSB and the surrounding areas. The adopted recreation facility standards also serve as an indicator of potential impacts to recreation. Table outlines consistency with these adopted standards under Master Plan build-out. In many cases, the Master Plan includes policies, development standards and action items which will implement a series of improvements to parks, open space and coastal access areas and trails. However, these improvements are qualitative in nature and therefore, cannot be quantitatively compared to the existing standards. Hence, the Master Plan will address deficits in terms of active recreation, not a simple deficit of parklands IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Impact REC-1: Build-out of the IVMP will increase demand for recreational facilities and neighborhood parks. Increased population associated with build-out of the Master Plan could increase demand for recreational facility deficit in the project area and the addition of new residents within the project area would increase use and could lead to physical deterioration of existing facilities. Residential development associated with the Master Plan could introduce additional residents (approximately 4,355 persons, assuming 3.1 people per household) into the project area. While this additional population could increase the use of the existing area parks, including Isla Vista parks and recreational areas, it is not expected that such usage would directly lead to substantial physical deterioration of the existing parks. Master Plan implementation is anticipated to reduce the ratio of persons per household, while Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

17 providing an increase in developable units. Increased development will generate additional funding for the IVRPD, through their per bedroom property tax, to maintain Isla Vista parks and open spaces. This additional funding will enable the IVRPD to maintain the parks and open spaces at a level commensurate with existing maintenance levels. The overall projected increase in the residential population of 4,355 persons could result in a related increase in demand for parks or other recreational facilities within the City of Goleta and at UCSB. Currently, unincorporated County of Santa Barbara contains 8,372 acres of parkland, and the City of Goleta contains 382 acres of parkland (Garciaceley, 23). UCSB contains 185 acres of recreational and landscaped open space areas, which include soccer and ball fields, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, the Pauley Track and the Recreation Center and Aquatics Complex. Local parklands total over 624 acres, or 12 acres of parkland per 1, residents combined with City of Goleta parkland, UCSB-owned recreational and open spaces and Isla Vista parks and open spaces 1. While, this is substantially more than the respective adopted countywide ratio of 4.7 acres per 1, persons, this figure does not account for regional usage for areas such as the Ellwood Shores/Devereux Slough area and the Goleta Beach Park. Furthermore, a majority of this parkland provides passive recreational opportunities, instead of active recreational facilities. This impact is considered potentially significant. Mitigation Measure REC-1.1: The following Isla Vista Master Plan policies and actions apply to Impact REC-1: Open Space and Parks Policy 1: The parks system shall be enhanced to meet social and community needs and provide more active recreational places. Open Space and Parks Action 1.1: The RDA, working with IVRPD should pursue and create space for active recreational uses, such as sand volleyball or basketball courts on Del Playa Drive, and a skate board park at Estero Park, if feasible. Open Space and Parks Action 1.2: The RDA should encourage IVRPD to maintain parks and open space to provide a safe environment, rehabilitating unusable and potentially overgrown areas. Open Space and Parks Action 1.3: IVRPD is encouraged to update their public space classification system to facilitate a wide range of open areas from undeveloped natural lands to formal spaces. A variety of available recreational opportunities are essential to the general health and well being of any community. Undertaking these measures will provide adequate recreational outlets for the residents of the project area. Mitigation Measure REC-1.2: Following the adoption of the Master Plan, the RDA and County shall meet with IVRPD staff every five years to ensure review funding and IVRPD maintenance of county owned parks, open spaces, coastal access points and trails. A sufficient 1 Based on a population of 51,835 people. Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

18 fund balance will allow IVRPD to provide seamless upkeep of these resources and maintain their desirable qualities. Residual Impact: Implementation of Isla Vista Master Plan policies and actions, compliance with existing Goleta Community Plan policies and development standards and Mitigation Measure-1.2 will minimize impacts to less than significant (Class II). Impact REC-2: Expansion of the trail network could have impacts to bluff top erosion and sensitive plant communities. The Master Plan proposes expansions to the existing trail network and encourages the addition of bluff top connection points, in addition to improved coastal access points. Expansion of the trail network could increase erosion at certain access points and along bluff top areas. In addition, certain bluff top trails could be sited adjacent to sensitive biological resources. Impacts from an expanded trail network are considered potentially significant. Mitigation Measure REC-2.1: In developing and maintaining the Isla Vista trail system, provision shall be made for the following: a. Construction of trails with pervious materials and appropriate set-backs to minimize erosion potential; b. Adequate coastal access point signage; c. Drought tolerant, native landscaping; and d. Avoidance of sensitive biological resources along the bluff tops. Maintaining the condition of bluff tops in the project area is important. These mitigation measures will help preserve sensitive biological resources and minimize erosion potential. Residual Impacts: Compliance with existing Goleta Community Plan policies and development standards and implementation of Mitigation Measure REC-2.1 would reduce impacts from an expanded trail network to less than significant levels (Class II). Cumulative Impacts The pending and approved projects identified in Chapter 2, will result in cumulative impacts to Parks, Open Space and Recreational Resources. Together, these cumulative projects will ultimately generate 3,351,485 sq. ft. of commercial and industrial development and 3,313 new residential units throughout the Goleta Valley, UCSB and Isla Vista area. This will result in a cumulatively significant increase in demand for recreational facilities and neighborhood parks that has the potential to adversely affect these resources. Overall development would exacerbate the demand on already overburdened recreational facilities. The proposed project s contribution to this impact is considered significant and unavoidable (Class I). Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

19 The IVMP will contribute a significant amount of this cumulative growth to the area (1,447 housing units and 51,485 sf of commercial development). As a result, the project s cumulative impacts to parks, open space and recreational resources are significant and unavoidable (Class I). Isla Vista Master Plan Draft EIR

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