Regular 7. CITY COUNCIL AGENDA Meeting Date: 12/02/2013 TITLE: Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013 Adoption Proposal - Dwight Curtis Responsible Staff: Dwight Curtis Backup Material: Backup material attached Digital Presentation: Yes Parks and Recreation Other Resources: Commission Other Non-City Resources: Information DESCRIPTION: Parks and recreation facilities are an essential part of a healthy community environment. Much like streets and sidewalks, water and wastewater lines, drainage facilities, and police, fire, and other municipal facilities, parks are also an integral part of the community infrastructure. The purpose of the City of Moscow Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013 is two-fold: first, to determine the community s current and future needs for improving, expanding, and enhancing its existing parks and recreation system; second, to establish an adopted systemized approach to park planning and development (Master Plan 2013 attached). To remain consistent with the current Moscow Comprehensive Plan (Adopted 12/7/09), the master plan continues to utilize the basic "community" information utilized in the City Comprehensive Plan until the next Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update scheduled for 2018. Several years in the making, this master plan is the result of extensive assessments and input/feedback by citizens, staff and a professional consultant (Kendig Keast Collaborative). A summary of the key recommended actions for consideration is attached. The final draft of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013 was provided to the public for comment in two open-house sessions (9/4 & 9/7) and was on static display at the Hamilton Indoor Recreation Center for most of the month of September, 2013. The draft plan has also been available for review on-line since early September, 2013. A number of citizens visited the HIRC to view the plan's display and ask questions, but other than a few minor grammar/typo edits and one addition to the inventory map, there were no negative comments received. There were two comment sheets submitted by the citizens in support of the plan s adoption. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013 was reviewed and recommended for approval by the Parks and Recreation Commission on October 3, 2013. The plan was also reviewed by the Administrative Committee on November 25, 2013 and recommended for approval. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013, or take other action as deemed appropriate. ACTION: Adopt the Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013, or take other action as deemed appropriate.
NECESSARY RESOURCES/IMPACTS (PERSONNEL): N/A NECESSARY RESOURCES/IMPACTS (OTHER) N/A Fiscal Impact NECESSARY RESOURCES/IMPACTS (FISCAL): N/A Summary of Master Plan Action Items Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013 Attachments
City of Moscow Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013 Summary of Key Actionable Items to Consider November 19, 2013 NEW PARK AND RECREATION FACILITIES PRIORITIES TO CONSIDER 1. Capital Development Priority List. Develop park properties Capital Development Priority List within one year of adoption of this plan. 2. Acquire property in the vicinity of Downtown to develop a small park for nearby residents. 3. Acquire land (as necessary) and construct an expansion to Paradise Path 4. Initiate a fundraising program and submit applications for grants-in-aid for new parks, facilities, and paths. 5. Design and construct new facilities in accordance with the needs identified in Table 5.3, Current Facility Needs, and Table 5.4, Future Facility Needs. a. The Parks and Recreation Commission should develop an ordered priority list within one year of adoption of this plan. b. The new facilities considerations will include at a minimum: a) Baseball fields, b) Softball fields, c) Soccer fields, d) Volleyball courts, e) Tennis courts, f) Basketball courts, g) Horseshoe pits, h) Indoor batting cages, i) Community Gardens, and j) BMX track/park 6. Expand and/or improve existing facilities as follows: a. Eggan Youth Center b. Enclosure of the Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center. c. An indoor family fitness center adjoining HIRC & Aquatics Center to create a familyoriented indoor recreation center d. Dog park and/or development of a new, larger dog park e. Ice rink: permanent location, one to two sheets of ice, enclosed facility MASTER PLAN 2013 PLAN GOALS AND OBJECTIVES TO CONSIDER 1. Pathways, Greenways, and Linear Connections GOAL: A comprehensive network of paths and linear parks connecting all parts of the community. Actionable items to consider: a. acquire necessary rights-of-way or easements b. complete the secondary pathway system c. provide direct connections d. Integrate cyclist- and pedestrian-sensitive planning guidelines e. appropriate lighting f. design standards for pedestrian tunnels g. seek state and federal funding h. Repurpose pathway corridors as multi-functional linear parks i. Identify possible access linkages to the existing pathway system
2. Environmental Conservation, Preservation, and Sensitive Planning GOAL: Protect and sustain natural areas, resource features, and environmentally sensitive lands. Actionable items to consider: a. Incorporate interpretive signage b. inventory and map sensitive resource sites and features c. amend park development standards to include provisions for low impact development d. master gardener/master naturalist program e. expand opportunities for environmental outings through recreational programming 3. Cultural Enhancement GOAL: Broadened development of the community s cultural infrastructure and its integration into park sites and recreational programs. Actionable items to consider: a. adapt unused or underutilized spaces for the beautification and enjoyment of residents and visitors. b. incorporate museums, monuments, and markers as park amenities and destinations c. build historic and cultural value into parks and public open spaces d. a place in each park for the display of public art/ e. develop a public art walking tour in parks, open spaces, and along community pathways f. utilize the art-in-the-park program for eco-tourism g. enhance interpretation to highlight historic figures and events h. support and expand the Farmer s Market and other festivities i. integration of a public stage/amphitheatre near the Downtown urban renewal area - rotating art displays 4. Convenience and Accessibility of Public Parks, Recreational Areas, and Public Open Spaces GOAL: Even and equal distribution of park spaces, activities, and facilities to meet the diversity of local areas Actionable items to consider: a. where feasible, locate future parks adjacent to linear greenways and planned extensions b. development plan for each park property within 2 years of new acquisitions and all existing undeveloped park properties within 5 years of adoption of this Master Plan c. adopt National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) standards d. Improve way-finding e. parkland dedication ordinance review within 5 years of this plan s adoption. f. inventory of surplus government-owned (City, County, State, and University) property g. off-leash time periods in suitable existing parks h. theme for each park 5. Diversity and Availability of Recreational Programs and Activities GOAL: Maximum availability and utilization of recreational programming. Actionable items to consider: a. expand programs identified with the highest response in the community survey b. expand the number and hours of activities available for the participation of youth and teens.
c. emphasize healthy active lifestyles, implementing the newly focused programs within two years d. increase recreational programs for both young and mature adults e. analysis of recreational program fees f. advertising campaign to solicit programmatic participation g. expanding, renovating and providing new facilities h. solicit involvement of residents in performing arts programs i. expand upon the recreation and sports programs 6. Effective Management, Administration, and Partnerships GOAL: Maximize the efficient use of resources to develop and maintain a first-class system of parks, public spaces, and recreational facilities and improvements. Actionable items to consider: a. feasibility and value of contracting for some park maintenance activities b. adopt-a-park program c. grants and donations d. partnerships e. entice private sector participation in park system development f. facilities/staffing needs assessment MASTER PLAN 2013 - KEY RECOMMENDED ACTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. Establish Park Property and Facility Development Strategy. Establish an approved systematic approach to ensure the timely development of existing and future parks and recreational facilities. This strategy will ensure a parks-to-standards measure for the overall park system. a. Requires a development plan for each park property within 2 years of new acquisitions and all existing undeveloped park properties within 5 years of adoption of this plan. b. Each park property development plan will include at a minimum a design plan, development and funding strategy plan, and an ongoing maintenance and operations plan. The development plan should also include, when necessary, phasing elements such as adjacent street improvements, so development can begin sooner. This will ensure a systematic and timely development of existing and new park properties. 2. Amend the Parkland Dedication Ordinance. To achieve the standards of this master plan, the current parkland dedication ordinance should be reviewed in detail for adequacy of purpose, adequacy of calculation formula, and fairness to both community and developers. a. This should be accomplished using a steering committee comprised of City planning officials, local developers and businesses and citizens. b. This should be completed, including adoption by the City Council within 5 years of adoption of this master plan. 3. Update new Parks and Facilities Guide annually. The Historic Guide should be made available to the public on the City s Website within one year of adoption of this Master Plan. 4. Explore a reciprocal use agreement with the Moscow School District (MSD) for joint use and maintenance of grounds and facilities, as well as for the joint acquisition and development of new cityschool park properties.
5. Explore possibilities with the MSD to repurpose the use of school yards as neighborhood parks. The partnership between the City and MSD at six of its school sites is an example of multi-purpose school yards. This approach makes efficient use of public property, allowing school playgrounds to fulfill neighborhood park needs. This is an effective strategy for those areas for which there is a deficiency in the availability of public parks, as is the case in Central Moscow. 6. Expand recreational programs. Expand the current recreational program offerings to include additional activities and programs for all ages. a. Evaluate to determine possible expansion of youth center operational hours. The Eggan Youth Center presently closes at 6pm on school nights and is closed, except for rentals on weekends throughout the year. b. Develop a thorough Active Healthy Lifestyles program plan focus (for all ages/abilities) and implement within two years of adoption of this Master Plan. 7. Amend the Subdivision Regulations. Add provisions requiring public access easements to provide direct connections within subdivisions to neighborhood parks and the City s pathway system. 8. Enhance park way-finding. A common need for every park is directional signage. This includes signs along major thoroughfares directing residents and visitors to nearby park facilities. Upon arrival at each park, highly visible park identification signs or monuments are needed. These may be unique to each park but should also have unifying elements. 9. Pursue increased partnerships. The City has a significant opportunity to expand and enhance its parks and recreation system by establishing active partnerships. These alliances may contribute to additional funding, share expenditures, and supplement the facilities and programs offered by the City. 10. Establish an adopt-a-park program. Solicit the involvement of neighborhoods and local organizations to share in the stewardship and eyes on the park patrol of parks and open space areas. 11. Explore possibilities for the development of a parks/facilities-focused GIS database. Through the course of developing this master plan there was an extensive amount of inventory data collected for each park. This information resource is vital for the ongoing development and management of a growing parks and recreation system. While this data is current and accurate it is timely to invest in a comprehensive database tied to the City s geographic information system (GIS). This would include a database of information to be stored for each individual park. This database could accomplish the following: Visual representation of tabular data (i.e. data of repair/installation, equipment types and numbers). Interactive, on-line parks and recreational program information system for residents and visitors. Use in the preparation of grants and proposals. Tracking capital projects. Centralization of park intelligence. 12. Routinely review and periodically update this master plan. To remain viable this plan must be annually reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission and periodically updated to make necessary adjustments. Based upon the pace of development and the interest in recreational programs, a thorough review and comprehensive update is warranted in five years (2018).