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7 <br />b) Some towns are presently updating their master plans and others have <br />recently adopted plans. Given this, should the County plan simply <br />reference and acknowledge Town parks plans, or should the plans be <br />more closely coordinated? Once al! plans are updated, or as part of this <br />plan, will it be timely to consider the creation of a true countywide plan - <br />that addresses and integrates both town and County facilities and needs <br />and builds partnership opportunities? <br />c) As highlighted in the Community Use of School Facilities for Recreation <br />issue paper from the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group, how should <br />the County engage the school systems in discussing the use of existing <br />facilities -and planning for future facilities - in a way that maximizes <br />community and school needs? <br />Options for Creating a New Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan <br />Staff has identified three options for pursuing a new master plan, if it is deemed <br />timely, based on the above. The projected timeframe for this project would begin <br />in August 2011, and conclude by June 2012 (Option 2 would take longer). <br />Option 1 -- Hire a Consultant <br />One way to create a new plan would be to hire a consulting firm to develop the <br />data, conduct public meetings and develop a new plan. Based on knowledge of <br />recent consultant-based plans and the proposed outline listed above, it is <br />estimated that hiring a consultant to conduct the creation of the new Master Plan <br />will be in the $90,000-150,000 range. <br />Staff would note that, in our previous experience, even with a consultant to <br />create the Plan, staff will be called upon to research data, provide background <br />and context and review the draft - requiring a significant amount of staff time <br />even with an outside consultant creating the plan. <br />Option 2 - Do Master Plan In-House <br />A second approach would be to ask staff resources within DEAPR, with <br />assistance from staff in other departments, to coordinate and develop the Plan. <br />While this option offers the benefit of not costing $90-150,000 for a consultant, it <br />would take up a substantial amount of time on the part of several staff -requiring <br />the setting aside of a number of projects, programs and initiatives to free up time <br />for staff to pursue the plan on their own. This would likely be disruptive to <br />departmental operations and would require a longer timeframe for completion. <br />5 <br />