SECTION FOUR: MISSION STATEMENT, GOALS & OBJECTIVES Chapter Summary Chapter Ten: Mission Statement, Goals & Objectives To fulfill its mission, the Parks and Recreation Commission has identified four basic goals: 1) Expand park land, facilities, and services to meet identified needs. 2) Develop and maintain a solid financial base. 3) Provide high level maintenance and management of properties and facilities. 4) Undertake specific actions aimed at high priority considerations and opportunities. These goals are supported by specific objectives and strategies. Parks and Recreation Commission Page 144
CHAPTER TEN: MISSION STATEMENT, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The following mission statement was prepared to provide the Commission with a long-term sense of purpose and direction. It is not expected to change dramatically over the years but serve as the foundation for the Commission's activities as moves into the 21st Century and beyond. The Commission's mission is: To provide residents and visitors to with the highest quality leisure opportunities and promote high standards for environmental quality and land-use planning through a resource-based system of parks, open-space lands, programs and other services. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES To carryout its mission, the Parks and Recreation Commission has identified four basic goals to accomplish. For each goal, a series of objectives and strategies is outlined. The goals, objectives and strategies correspond to the recreation needs identified earlier in this plan and will provide solid direction for the chapter following which identifies the Commission's specific action plan. GOAL A: Expand resource-based county parklands, facilities, and services to meet identified needs and improve the overall delivery of park and recreation services through better coordination among recreation providers. 1. Identify areas within not adequately served by county parklands and facilities and expand recreation opportunities in these areas when natural resource features suitable for park development are available. Strategy A. Target high growth areas within and assess opportunities for resource-based recreation facilities. Parks and Recreation Commission Page 145
Strategy B. Acquire and develop the Bend Area (Georgetown Township) or similar suitable site to expand water-based recreation opportunities (i.e., man-made lake suitable for swimming and other uses) in eastern. 2. Identify high quality natural resource features in and seek to preserve key lands through establishment of new parks and protected open spaces. Strategy A. Expand existing parks and open spaces where feasible. Strategy B. Develop a greenway along the Grand River. Strategy C. Develop a greenway along the Pigeon River. Strategy D. Develop a greenway along the Macatawa River. Strategy E. Develop a greenway along the Lake Michigan coast. Strategy F. Promote state and local involvement in establishment of new parks and protection of open space. Strategy G. Promote participation by nonprofit groups in preserving open space (i.e., through conservation easements and other measures). 3. Aggressively pursue protection of open space in with particular emphasis upon the Lake Michigan shoreline and other public waterways. Strategy A. Pursue protection of key areas of interest as identified in Chapter 9 Open Space Analysis. Strategy B. Undertake a detailed countywide review of prime natural resource features and cultural features for open space protection and to further identify protection priorities. Strategy C. Develop a process for selecting specific open space properties to be protected through donation, acquisition or other methods. Strategy D. Implement all potential land protection methods including acquisition in fee simple, conservation easements, donations, etc. Strategy E. Develop ongoing funding mechanisms with emphasis placed on private sector involvement. Parks and Recreation Commission Page 146
4. Identify resource-based recreation activities and facilities that are currently deficient within and develop additional facilities to meet the expressed needs. Strategy A. Identify and prioritize resource-based recreation opportunities based on current and projected population levels and explore potential to meet identified needs. Strategy B. Develop a nature center with interpretive building at Hemlock Crossing Park in the Pigeon River Greenway. Strategy C. Investigate the need for and feasibility of developing a campground at the Connor Bayou property on the Grand River. Strategy D. Investigate the need for and feasibility of developing a farm education center and/or equestrian trails at the Community Haven property. Strategy E. Investigate the need for and feasibility of developing a kayak/canoe trail along the Grand River linking selected park properties. 5. Provide leadership and coordination among all public and private sector recreation providers within and to explore opportunities for enhancing the recreational and economic level of the County including public/private joint ventures, expansion of the local tourist trade, and related economic development potentials. Strategy A. Through its long-range parks and recreation plan, clearly delineate the future plans for the County Parks Commission and its role relative to state and local recreation providers and those in the private sectors. Strategy B. Provide opportunities for communication between recreation providers. 6. Participate in the development of plans for a system of non-motorized paths in and define Park's role in the provision of these services. Strategy A. Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all existing, projected, and potential trails and pathways in. Strategy B. Work with and assist the Planning Commission in the implementation of the Non-motorized Pathway Study. Parks and Recreation Commission Page 147
Strategy C. Develop and operate trails (i.e., Musketawa Trail) consistent with 's defined role. Strategy D. Pursue connection of the Musketawa Trail east to the White Pine Trail and other regional trails. 7. Maintain a current countywide parks, recreation and open space plan outlining action plans for existing parks and open space, new land acquisition and future development priorities, including specific site plans for development of facilities. Strategy A. Prepare and regularly update the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan. Strategy B. Develop and maintain updated master plans for all Commission lands and facilities. GOAL B: Develop and maintain solid financial base and parks policy to assure efficiency and long-term stability of Commission facilities and services. 1. Develop and promote a stable financial program for both short and long-term development, expansion, operation, and maintenance of the park system. Strategy A. Maintain strong relationships with County Board of Commissioners to continue General Fund support. Strategy B. Develop a comprehensive policy for fees and charges. Strategy C. Pursue all relevant sources of state and federal grant support. Strategy D. Seek donations from the private sector. Strategy E. Place the county parks millage renewal on the ballot in 2006 and develop a campaign strategy to pass the millage. Strategy F. Develop a Friends of Parks group that can assist with the millage campaign and with future parks projects and needs. Parks and Recreation Commission Page 148
Strategy G. Establish a parks foundation as a vehicle to promote private sector gifts to further the county parks mission. Strategy H. Evaluate the feasibility of revenue producing facilities (i.e., campground, etc.) to help offset operational costs. GOAL C: Provide a high level of maintenance, operation, and management of all park properties and facilities to ensure the enjoyment and safety of visitors and the protection of natural features and resources. 1. Provide a high level of park maintenance and operations for maximum visitor enjoyment and safety. Strategy A. Develop and maintain a formal operations plan based on well-defined maintenance standards. Strategy B. Secure the commitment of the resources needed (i.e. staff, equipment and supplies) to ensure that operational capabilities increase as needed when park expansion and facility development occurs. Strategy C. Maximize use of low costs/no cost sources of labor for special projects and park enhancement. 2. Develop and implement a Land Management Plan for all park properties and make recommendations on natural resource-based management, problems, concerns, and projects Strategy A. Develop and implement a long-range plan to control invasive plants and animals in the parks system. Strategy B. Continue collecting data on parks forest lands as part of a comprehensive Parks Forestry Management Plan and develop a strategy to implement this plan. Strategy C. Identify areas on parks properties that would benefit from natural community restoration and develop restoration plans for these areas. Strategy D. Continue conducting Natural Features Inventories on selected parks properties and collecting natural history data on all parks properties. Parks and Recreation Commission Page 149
Strategy E. Develop and implement wildlife management strategies to encourage and protect the diversity of flora and fauna on parks properties. 3. Promote the visibility, image, identity and potential of the County Park system and Commission through the development of an ongoing public relations program designed to create greater awareness of Commission-operated facilities, programs and services. Strategy A. Continue use of the news media to promote new and existing facilities, programs, etc. Strategy B. Continue and improve use of brochures and annual reports. Strategy C. Update and expand use of parks display. Strategy D. Increase number of speaking engagements with community organizations to promote the park system. Strategy E. Expand schedule of year-round recreation and interpretive programs and events. Strategy F. Continue park renovations with the goal of developing a unified appearance for all parks. Strategy G. Continue Outdoors, the department newsletter. Strategy H. Expand use of the parks website for park promotions and to improve visitor services. 4. Offer facilities, programs, and services that are accessible to all. Strategy A. To continually assess all facilities, programs, and services and modify as needed to ensure compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Strategy B. To consider the needs of all potential users when planning new facilities, programs and services. Parks and Recreation Commission Page 150
GOAL D: Undertake specific actions aimed at high priority considerations and opportunities. 1. Advocate for improved water quality levels for all regional waterways. Strategy A. Encourage staff involvement with various committees and initiatives related to water quality. Strategy B. Commission endorsement of positive water quality initiatives. Strategy C. Design of county park facilities with careful consideration of impacts on water quality Strategy D. Greenway planning along river corridors should consider water quality impacts as a top priority. Consideration should be given to acquisition of properties within a watershed where ownership/control has the potential to improve water quality even when lands are not immediately adjacent to the watercourse. Parks and Recreation Commission Page 151