Citizen s Advisory Committee

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2 Citizen s Advisory Committee 13 Members 6 Meetings (5 Locations) 1 Public Meeting Numerous Report Drafts Countless Hours of Review Immeasurable Input Special Thank You To: Jack Cohen Brian Kile George Long Mike Manipole Erin McClymonds John Morgan Fred Peterson Ann Reale Tina Rombach Susan Rusnak David Steed Bill Thompson Gary Winterhalter Page 2

3 The Big Picture The Recreation and Open Space is consistent with the Cranberry Plan. The Township received generous funding support from PA s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the completion of this plan, in partnership with Butler County Parks and Recreation. Page 3

4 Benefits of Recreation Parks and Recreation Facilities Battle against obesity. Benefit psychological well-being by reducing anxiety and depression, and increasing resilience and concentration. Help young people build necessary life skills and help adults function as part of the social community. Improve the local air quality and help the overall environment. Add substantially to the local economy through attendance, tourism, healthcare savings, attracting new businesses, and increased property values. Page 4

5 Community Engagement Looking to the Future When asked to identify the additional recreational facilities needed within the Township, respondents overwhelming identified more trails facilities including: 65% of respondents requesting multipurpose trails between parks, neighborhoods; 58 % indicating a need for multi-purpose trails between key destinations; and 55% of respondents request more paved trails. Page 5

6 Community Engagement 20 Community Stakeholders Were Interviewed: Values - All stakeholders indicated residents place a high value on Parks and Recreation, with many citing the highquality amenities and premier parks as reasons to work and live in Cranberry Township. Strengths - Parks and Recreation system is progressive, with high-quality parks attracting residents in the Township as well as the surrounding communities to utilize facilities. Weaknesses - Trail connections, additional programming and facilities for adults, and field preservation issues, in need of improvement in the Parks and Recreation system. Programs - Programming is good. However, a number of stakeholders suggested the need for additional programming for adults. Facilities Stakeholders indicated a need for an indoor sports facility. Page 6

7 Parks and Recreation - Facilities Southwest Quadrant - Population of about 9,500 most residential units per acre Mix of some of the Township s oldest residences to its newest Smaller-lot mixed-use, traditional neighborhood development Well served with recreation amenities from Graham Park to Haine School facilities Page 7

8 Parks and Recreation Facilities Page 8

9 Parks and Recreation Facilities Year 2030 Facility Projections: The Township is reasonably wellendowed with community parkland. Using National Recreation and Parks Association projections, 2030 demands on recreation infrastructure suggest 2012 holdings of community park sized areas will continue to meet the needs of 50,000 + residents. Affirms findings of 1995 Parks and Recreation Plan that creating and maintaining large, centrally located parks instead of neighborhood parks or tot lots. Future facilities must be driven by observed and expressed needs coupled with extensive public input processes (like those done in this plan). Only through continued public engagement will we effectively be able to respond to community s recreational needs. Page 9

10 Parks and Recreation Facilities Picnic Area Access Page 10

11 Graham Park Master Plan Phase 1 Page 11

12 Graham Park Master Plan Phase 2 Page 12

13 Lindner Tract at Community Park Master Plan Page 13

14 Parks and Recreation Programming Programming Priorities Teen Programming: Space needed where teens can hang out, do homework, receive tutoring, showcase talents Safe, unprogrammed space for gathering on the weekends Partnerships between Parks and Recreation and the Cranberry Public Library could further expand teen programming Future library planning may also create an exciting way to provide additional space devoted to teens Page 14

15 Parks and Recreation Programming Public Involvement: Asking for feedback is an important aspect of providing excellent customer service. Cranberry Township provides the public ample opportunity to be involved in the parks and recreation network. The Recreation Program Guide invites people to share their skills and talents with the community as an instructor. Residents are encouraged to attend public meetings. The Parks & Recreation Department solicits feedback through online and paper surveys, such as the following: Waterpark Survey Waterpark Members Survey Program Survey Preschool Survey Page 15

16 Parks and Recreation Operations Partnerships: Building and maintaining successful partnerships are keys to a thriving recreation and open space system. Identifying, initiating, building, maintaining, and nurturing short-term and long-term partnerships will help to efficiently deliver first-class amenities and opportunities. Existing partnerships must be revisited to ensure that open lines of communication exist. Joint-programming, information sharing, and cross promotion are way that Parks and Recreation can join forces with the Library to make programming available to a wide range of people. Page 16

17 Parks and Recreation Operations Maintenance of Facilities and Equipment: Public Works responsible for maintaining 341 acres of Township owned lands. o Of the 341 acres, 325 acres are park land and 16 acres are other public spaces. Parks Division ensures park areas are maintained to a high standard. o Primary responsibility is to present a positive image within the parks, ensure safe and clean facilities, and keep the Township properties well maintained. Parks Maintenance Manual the maintenance approach for the following five divisions: 1. turf grass, 2. trees and landscaped areas, 3. skinned infields, 4. walking trails, and facilities; and 5. site amenities. Page 17

18 Parks and Recreation Most Requested Best of the Best Facilities: 1. Playground Upgrades at All Parks - 2. Community Recreation Center (Indoor Sports Facility) 3. Trail Connections to Link Existing Parks 4. Bicycle Racks at All Parks 5. Lighting Upgrades at All Parks 6. Shade Trees at All Parks 7. Special Program Areas - Lindner Tract 8. Pedestrian Gathering Areas at All Parks 9. Fields/Playfields (& upgrades) at All Parks 10. Basketball Court(s) at All Parks 11. Community Gardens at All Parks 12. Passive Nature Study Area at All Parks 13. Picnic Table Platforms, Shelters at All Parks 14. Signage Upgrades at All Parks 15. Tennis Courts at All Parks 16. Volleyball Court at All Parks Best of the Best Programming: 1. Bicycle Riding 2. Teen Activities 3. Performing Arts 4. Deck Hockey 5. Exercise/Fitness 6. Green Training/Landscaping 7. Yoga/Pilates 8. Hiking/Trail Club 9. Nature Study 10. Senior Activities 11. Arts and Crafts 12. Cooking 13. Dance 14. Sledding 15. Stargazing/Astronomy 16. Youth Activities Page 18

19 Open Space and Greenways Brush Creek represents a greenway opportunity Trail proposed along the creek in Graham Park Extensions into New Sewickley Twp. and adjoining with existing trail in Marshall Twp. Cranberry Township aspires to a network of greenways formed by trail networks, bikeways, open spaces, and recreational areas. By 2030, Cranberry envisions a patchwork of greenways Some would be interconnected while others would be dispersed Page 19

20 Open Space and Greenways A Decision-Making Tool: Page 20

21 Parks and Recreation Facilities Picnic Area Access Page 21

22 Pedestrian & Bicycle Mobility Phased Enhancements: New or expanded paved shoulders; Bicycle lanes; Signage and pavement markings; Sidewalks; Crosswalks; Curb ramps; Bicycle racks; ADA-compliant pedestrian pushbuttons; and Pedestrian signal heads. Key Goals: Connect Parks Connect Neighborhoods Multi-modal options for all ages and abilities Linkages to commercial/business destinations Page 22

23 Pedestrian & Bicycle Mobility Primary Focus to Improve Bicycle and Pedestrian Network: Incorporate improvements into future roadway reconstruction/rehabilitation projects Concentrate on the missing links in the pedestrian network Give high priority to low cost items, such as signing and marking of the existing bicycle network Continue implementation of Bike and Ped Plan Page 23

24 Classifications SUSTAIN Sustain current programming, facilities, and operations to maintain the high quality of service that adds community value and attracts investment. GROW Focus on specific areas where facilities and/or programming gaps exist and expansion is necessary. Page 24

25 So What? Recommendations: Continue Emphasis on Community Parks Enhance Park Equipment and Facilities Increase Program Variety Sustain Maintenance Operations Utilize Innovative Funding Tools Plan for Future Development of Community Parks Page 25

26 Parks and Recreation Recommendations Recommendations: Indoor Sports/Recreation Facility Invest in Existing Facilities to Accommodate Current and Future Users Improve Accessibility at All Recreation Facilities Improve Creature Comforts at All Parks Increase Connectivity Throughout the Township Construct Additional Facilities within Existing Parks to Meet Future Needs Page 26

27 Key Capital Investments Page 27

28 Planning = Doing Newly Completed: Paving of North Boundary Trail Graham Park Maintenance Operations Facility Field Maintenance Policies Coming Soon: Graham Park Trail Extension to Powell Road/Powell Road Bridge Blue Route Construction 2012 Build-Out of Municipal Center to provide additional recreation space Designated bike lanes Partnership to Reconstruct Playtime Palace CRANBERRY TWP. RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE PLAN Page 28

29 THANK YOU Your Feedback is Welcome! ext. 1020