Master Plan Workshop October 25, 2007 Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center Land Discussion 1. What are the most important land related issues we need to address? Protect natural areas Passive walking trails Nature preserves in urban areas specific to animals Water shed protection Acquire more land Develop relationships/partnerships with developers Focus on underserved areas Land acquisition for greenways and parks 2. Are there types of parks missing in the system? If so where? Specialty parks o Sportsplexes More urban pocket parks (small neighborhood) Mega Park o Tournaments o Regional destination o Passive trails for mountain biking/walking Tennis centralized location with 30 + courts Equestrian at Reedy Creek Skate parks in the North More Ribbon Walk types Connection to Nevin Traditional recreation (active) 3. Are there any policy issues that we need to address as it applies to land management? Funding to build entire park More joint use parks o CMS Vacant business lots as parks, such as along Independence Blvd. Joint partnerships for maintenance of small parks (with neighborhood groups) Connectivity between parks Explore corporate donation of land holdings
Resources to manage exotic and invasive plants and wildlife Environmental education programs Recreation Facilities Discussion 1. What are key recreation facilities that need to be addressed? Tennis o 30 + tennis facilities, tennis complex, host large tennis events o More tennis courts throughout the city multiple courts at each location o Variety of tennis courts clay, grass and indoor courts Access the existing facilities for support facilities Parking Aquatics o Destination facilities for aquatics world class facilities Update existing facilities with different amenities Equestrian at Reedy Creek Park destination facility host large events Expand Equestrian to meet increasing demand more pasture area stalls more trails Mountain bike trails incorporated into overall park system Shade areas for spectators for large sport venues Zoo 2. Are there recreation facilities missing in the system? More neighborhood parks Bike trails Expand equestrian opportunities More indoor outdoor basketball courts Complex for sand volleyball with lights Flagship tennis facility with better lighting Hiking trails with better signage Skating facility in parks Outdoor competition aquatic facility Cycling facilities Center City skateboard park Diving facility along with world class aquatic facility Walking trails with parks McAlpine park 3. Are there any recreation facility design issues we need to address? Better lighting at tennis courts nets and surface More restrooms Increased security system wide car break ins Detailed trail signs Partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools to use sport facilities tennis courts
Orientation of outdoor courts design flaws with courts geography of courts Covered arena for equestrian center More lighting in parking lots Eco friendly facilities Adequate parking Renaissance Park Jeff Adams Center and Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center Lack of accountability of contractors quality assurance Bigger trails for carriages equestrian Benched seating in between tennis courts Natural shading for courts ADA Compliant Clay courts for seniors surface Enterprise tennis facility, supported with user fees Advance notice to park planning process Tarheel Trailblazers be involved in developing trails Greenway Related Discussion 1. What are key issues that we need to address as it applies to the Greenway Plan? Land acquisition Extend the greenways connections Accessibility Longer sections Practical Users transportation and connections User Conflict better park watch control More funding build more greenways Adequate resources to take advantage of acquisition opportunities More education about benefits of greenways stronger dedication requirements embed into subdivision ordinance Multi use opportunities different trail design 2. What should the priorities be as it applies to Greenway Development? Available land Adjacent to existing green space Alternate transportation Quality connections Build in communities requesting greenways Build near population centers Serving university students Speed acquisition process Close gaps between greenway section
Provide more resources for acquisitions Complete Little Sugar Creek Greenway Consider cost per mile make the dollar go further Provide adequate way finding Provide loops Pursue partnerships to improve water quality Regional connections 4. Are there design issues that need to be addressed in the Greenways Plan? Safety Connections to nature preserves Native plantings for buffering Linkage to Carolina Thread Trail Privacy fencing for neighbors Parking lots public access Maintenance Appropriate regulatory signage Discourage on street parking at neighborhood entrances Coordinate with CDOT for sidewalk tie ins Design for multiple users Explore trail types More trash cans recycling opportunities Emergency Access Coordinate with CDOT construction to accommodate greenway Meet federal funding standards Noise buffers for neighbors Consider volunteer greenway development Consider minimal trail to get something on the ground Consider operations and maintenance cost in design in design Utilize utility railroad corridors road right of way Pursue rail to trail funding Build durable trails Extend existing trails More miles per dollar Route trail to avoid flood inundation Improve maintenance staff awareness of greenway usecourtesy to users
Natural Areas Plan Discussion 1. What are the most important Natural Area issues we need to address? Adjacent land vulnerable to development should be purchased Educate county officials on the values of nature preserves Be willing to maintain natural areas Environmental education and marketing Charlotte as a Green City Promote Ecotourism Wetlands preserves Even intermittent Buffers More Nature Preserves and Natural areas in and around existing parks Safety Reedy Creek is unsafe Isolated areas Market Reedy Creek including usage More access areas at Reedy Creek 10 tennis courts at Reedy Creek 2. Are there Natural Areas in the County that need to be protected? Northern Charlotte now is the time for land acreage Matthews area no nature preserves Old growth preserves promote eco friendly development Farm land preserves South Charlotte Work with neighboring counties and cities Promote conservation easements for public trails Watershed properties McDowell Gar Creek Mountain Island Lake area Natural areas next to greenways Trail in UNCC is threatened boulder and creek need protection Utility row at Latta Acquire for horse grazing 3. Are there any Natural policy issues we need to address? Latta plantation carriages allowed on trails other nature preserves also Work with local and state government to create policies to support natural areas zoning ordinances Land use planning Invasive species policies and programs on all county properties Allow bike trails on nature preserves
Re address county policy of only being able to offer fair market value to compete with developers Explore acquiring watershed through eminent domain protects public interest Allow equestrians uses in Reedy Creek Park Management for bird wildlife preserves. Early Successional habitat also in smaller properties such as Evergreen Nature Preserve need larger areas also Consider a zoo More nature preserves like McDowell Nature Preserve Natural habitats for rare wildlife bobcats concerned about rabies with raccoon population Recreation Program Discussion 1. What Recreation Program services are most needed in the County? Horseback riding at Reedy Creek Integrated swimming program Tennis o Inner city for youth o Seniors o Youth everywhere o Wheelchair Youth development for aquatic sports o Swimming o Diving o Water Polo o Synchronized Bird Walks Safe skateboarding program Carriage riding Cheaper hikes Better visibility of public programs More therapeutic programming More Frisbee golf 2. What key issues in Program services do we need to address in the system? Make it easier to skateboard Availability of tennis programs Skate parks in other areas (Cornelius, Huntersville) 3. Are there any Recreation Program operational issues we need to address? Bigger tennis facilities Lighting: tennis, volley ball, skate park
Parking Security More staff for day to day operations Restrooms Nets and resurfacing Access to water fountains Concessions Pro shops admissions Maintain sand volley ball courts drainage Park & Recreation Operational Discussion 1. Are there key operational issues we need to address? Improve tennis facilities o Cracks, general maintenance Staffing on site for safety and information Aquatics: Marketing needs to be improved to increase revenue and usage (Event marketer or promoter) Allow horseback riding and carriage rides at Reedy Creek Resurface tennis courts at Hornets Nest Park Tennis Courts o Equipment available onsite when inclement weather happens (squeegees) o Concession stands o Post on website the availability of courts when maintenance is being done o Web based tennis court reservation and payment o Post reservation signage and policy for tennis court reservations Monitor access to Marion Diehl for paying customers Improvement of landscaping at Park Road Park near the playground 2. Are there operational policies we need to address? Direct line of communication with live person Park and Recreation tennis coordinator Less red tape to use facilities More lighted tennis courts and maintenance of lights More lighting in parking lots, especially Freedom Park More restrooms in all parks (accessible and functioning) Continue dog park fees Extend parks hours for non athletic events (mountain bike riding at night) 3. What are other issues you want to discuss that involve operations?
Criminal activities in parks (break ins, stolen property Live vegetative buffer around streams, creeks and lakes Contractors not sensitive to the environment. Need to dispose of waste properly More skate parks throughout the county