Agenda - 11-14-2013 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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19 [DRAFT] i September Possible Findings of the Community Needs Assessment and Research Existing Parks and Recreation Facilities and Programs 1. County residents overwhelmingly approve of the way current parks and recreation facilities are operated and maintained. They feel safe in these facilities, and find them easy to get to and accessible. County staff are seen as helpful and professional. 2. In the 15 years since the County opened its first park, additional park facilities and recreation centers have been created that serve a variety of community needs—and get high marks for providing quality opportunities to recreate—but maintenance and equipment replacement needs are on the horizon for some facilities. 3. The County has successfully acquired parkland and constructed parks in low-income and minority communities over the past 15 years, providing a needed outlet for physical activity, reflection in nature and outdoor recreation that meets social, mental and physical needs for both individuals and the public. 4. Residents believe strongly that park facilities and recreation programs: a. Enhance economic health of Orange County; b. Enhance physical and mental well-being of residents, and c. Help reduce crime. Future Park and Recreation Facilities and Programs 5. There is strong interest among county residents to expand both active recreation and low-impact recreation opportunities (especially hiking, walking and biking trails, and a swimming pool). 6. Residents are less sure and largely split on whether the County should pursue indoor facilities for arts/leisure activities, but somewhat more in favor of additional indoor athletic facilities. 7. Some residents are unsure about whether future athletic programs or parks are needed, but among those expressing an opinion, a significant majority favor new programs and parks. 8. The highest levels of interest in new/expanded programs are for walking, hiking, swimming, biking, summer camps and yoga. 9. Likewise, the top choices for new parks facilities are walking trails, nature trails, biking trails, greenways, a swimming pool and water parks. 10. Residents are almost universally supportive of funding new parks and recreation facilities through grants and corporate donations. 11. Residents express strong support for financing future parks and recreation opportunities through voter-approved bonds or existing local taxes. There is less support for charging user fees, and increasing local taxes (other than property taxes) is not a desired solution. 12. The County has successfully acquired sites for new parks identified in the 1988 Master Plan, with the exception of the Bingham District, and four new parks are projected in the County's Capital Investment Plan, along with additions and improvements to existing parks. 13. The creation of nature preserves in important natural areas of the county offers an opportunity for public access and low-impact recreation in addition to protection of natural resources. Opportunities and Challenges 14. The County has in recent years seen success in pursuing public/private or public/non-profit partnerships for new facilities, and should continue to pursue these opportunities where mutually-beneficial. 15. With the County having land-banked several park sites for future use, and little room for new parks inside the town borders, there may be unprecedented opportunities for partnerships between County and towns for developing new park or recreation facilities. 16. There are likely also financial benefits to coordination and collaboration among the towns and County for future parks. 17. While not growing at the rate of the 1970's-1990's, the County continues to be a very-desirable place to live with a high quality of life, and population growth is expected to continue, adding another 36,000 residents by the year 2030. These new residents will likely be split between persons in the towns and those in the rural and suburban areas of the County.