Portage County Parks, Trails and Greenways Plan

Portage County Parks, Trails and Greenways Plan

Agenda for Local Planning Meeting Introductory Presentation Why we need a Plan Plan project goals and process Benefits Overview of local planning region Small group planning session Wrap-up review Continued participation

About the Park District Mission: To conserve Portage County s natural and cultural heritage Government Agency under 1545 Ohio Revised Code Board Unpaid, appointed by Probate Judge; soon to be 5 members Staff Full time Director; 4 part-time: programming, stewardship, administration; volunteer Ranger

Budget History Over $5 million value in grants and donations received so far Less than $175,000 annual operating revenues Limited, unstable revenue sources County General Fund, including Real Estate Transfer Fee State Local Government Funds Donations Grants (park acquisition and development--not for operations) Misc. oil royalties, interest income, rentals, fees

Park District Strategic Plan Goals Increase community outreach and support Increase financial security and stability Increase organizational efficiency and partnerships Provide high quality education programs Acquire and conserve important natural resources; create high quality parks and trails

Parks, Trails and Preserves 1. Towner s Woods 175 acres 2. Dix Park 103 acres 3. The PORTAGE Hike and Bike Trail 6 miles 4. Headwaters Trail 8 miles 5. Breakneck Creek Preserve 63 acres 6. Chagrin Headwaters 95 acres 7. Walter Preserve 80 acres 8. Camp Spelman 58 acres 9. Gray Birch Bog 22 acres 10. Streetsboro Preserve 48 acres

Why we need a plan Portage County is growing and the landscape is changing and fragmenting Growth means increasing demands for managing water: stormwater, drinking water, waste water Increasing demands for recreation and transportation We need to be proactive and strategic in protecting our critical natural areas and creating sustainable communities

Portage County Population Trends and Projections POPULATION PROJECTIONS 2030 PORTAGE COUNTY TOTAL POPULATION 225,000 200,000 175,000 150,000 125,000 100,000 75,000 50,000 25,000 0 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 YEAR

Changing land use in the Cuyahoga Watershed

How we use the land affects our water resources, ecology, health and economy It s all connected!

Plan Project Goals Participatory public planning Identification of needs and priority areas for parks, trails and conservation Creation of an implementation guide for the Park District, local communities, developers and others Public education on the features, benefits and values of implementing the plan

Guiding Principles Sustainability Balance and Equity Efficiency Creating Connections Multiple Benefits Cooperation and Collaboration

Project Budget Revenues Portage County $45,000 George Gund Foundation $ 5,000 Kent State University $ 2,000 PARTA $ 2,000 Western Reserve Land Conservancy $ 2,000 Ravenna United Fund $ 2,000 Kent Garden Club $ 2,000 Aurora Rotary $ 1,000 Kent Parks and Recreation $ 1,000 Kent Environmental Council $ 1,000 Other Partners $ 2,000 TOTAL $65,000 Expenses Contract planning: Portage County Regional Planning Commission $21,000 Contract planning: Dilligaf Planning + Design $24,000 Administrative Support and Coordination: Portage Park District $10,000 Educational posters of final plan $10,000 $65,000

Process 1. Analyze data, resource inventories and local land use, transportation and parks and recreation plans 2. Inform the public through meetings, media and web site; solicit input on needs and desires in 7 community planning meetings across the County. 3. Develop conceptual plans for multipurpose trail linkages, regional park facilities and green infrastructure 4. Hold Countywide public meetings for additional public review and input 5. Create and distribute a map and educational poster to local communities identifying existing and proposed parks, trails and greenways.

Community Planning Meetings Help us plan the future of Portage County

Local Community Planning Meetings Schedule Please note the Local Community meetings will focus on a particular area, but the meetings are open to anyone. You may come to any or all of the following meetings, as well as submit your comments and ideas via email, mail, phone or fax. April 26 May 23 June 21 July 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 24 Nov. 28 Mantua-Shalersville Aurora-Streetsboro Kent-Franklin Township-Brady Lake- Sugarbush Knolls Brimfield-Suffield Randolph-Rootstown-Ravenna Twp.- Ravenna City Atwater-Deerfield-Edinburg-Palmyra Hiram-Nelson-Freedom-Windham January, 2008 Countywide Draft Review February, 2008 Countywide Draft Review

Examples: Hancock County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan (shown) Also: Summit County Stark County Tuscarawas County Cuyahoga County Geauga County

Existing plans will be referenced 1992 Bike Plan

Portage County is positioned well with Regional Trails Western Reserve Heritage Trail; The PORTAGE Hike and Bike Trail Statewide Buckeye Trail

Portage County Farmland Preservation Plan 2000

Portage County Watersheds Plan 2006 Vision: To protect and enhance watershed health in Portage County http://www.co.portage.oh.us/watershedmaps.htm NEFCO Kent State University

So What s a Greenway? Greenways are linear corridors of protected public and private land They link recreational, cultural, agricultural and natural features They provide pathways for people and wildlife, protect forests, fields and wetlands and improve quality of life while serving important green infrastructure functions.

Green Infrastructure Our natural life support system A means of using nature s ecosystem services to meet the needs of people and nature for water, air, food and healthy communities www.greeninfrastructure.net

Anatomy of a Greenway

Neighborhood Green Infrastructure Steep Slope Trees Primary Headwater Stream Wetland/Heron Rockery Protected River Floodplain Recreational Trail

No No Trees Trees Loss of Green Infrastructure Neighborhood Neighborhood No No Wetlands Wetlands Unprotected Unprotected River River No No Recreational Recreational Trail Trail No No Floodplain Floodplain Ohio Ohio Greenways Greenways

Example: Shalersville Township and Mantua Village Aerial photos and maps will be used in planning

Considerations in Planning Process Important natural areas and wildlife corridors Drinking water protection areas Connections to community facilities, neighborhoods and historic areas Recreation needs and opportunities Stormwater management needs

Common Concerns in Park Trail and Greenway Planning Trespass Safety Expense Government control For reports and fact sheets on these and other issues, see: www.trailsandgreenways.org

Benefits of Park Trail and Greenway Plan Project Creates and communicates a unified vision for the future of Portage County Identifies important areas for watershed protection, wildlife and recreation Helps to get grant dollars and prioritize public spending. Implementation of plan leads to improved quality of life and economic development by attracting business and promoting cost-effective, sustainable use of our resources

Park Trail and Greenway Plan How you can help Help us to learn more about your community and submit your ideas and comments via phone, email, mail, fax Portage Park District 128 N Prospect St. Ravenna, Ohio 44266 (330) 297-7728 Phone (330) 297-3472 Fax ccraycroft@portageparkdistrict.org email 1. What scenic, natural or historic areas should be conserved? Please be as specific as possible as to location, size and why it should be conserved. 2. What kind of recreational facilities would you like to have? Where? 3. Where would you like to see hiking and/or biking trails? What areas would you like to connect with trails? 4. Other comments or suggestions?

"By choice, or by default, we will carve out a land legacy for our heirs. Stewart Udall, The Quiet Crisis. 196

Let us know how we can partner in your community www.portageparkdistrict.org