Agenda - 02-11-2014 - 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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57 Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan CHAPTER 6- Community Needs Assessment and Public Input Maximizing Public Health Benefits of Parks and working with neighboring towns and counties was Recreation (April 22,2013) desirable. In terms of financing facilities, the group Nine persons attended this session, and the primary felt that there is an expectation that park facilities discussion area was the important linkage between and services will be free, but understanding the public health (e.g., childhood obesity, mental well- many hidden costs suggested corporate sponsor- being) and parks and open space or programs. The ships, bond referenda and fundraisers may be a group identified the need for parks to have a variety good way to help fund the parks. More public of different types of movement opportunities and awareness of what is offered in the parks was noted flexible open space within them. The importance of as a need —contact via email newsletters and social connecting open spaces and parks with trails was media should be used to publicize future park plans, noted. events and features. Facility needs identified included swimming pool, Recreation Programs— walking track at Fairview Park, flexible spaces that Successes and Opportunities(April 17,2013) allow children to create their own play experiences, Nine persons attended this focus group at the and community gardens to help educate about local Central Recreation Center in Hillsborough, including foods. Offering parks tours or open houses, and representatives of other recreation providers and creating unstructured play opportunities were seen community groups. The following is a summary of as keys to getting the public to use parks for healthy the group discussion: lifestyles. The County should also be aware of at-risk What are the strengths of current recreation pro- populations and try to work with the schools to pro- grams and services? mote using parks to promote childhood health. 0 Programs are affordable • Offer a great variety of programs Evaluating Our Park Facility Needs . Accessibility to locations and information (April 18,2013) • Breadth of programs show we are Seven persons attended this focus group meeting. responsive to community needs Attendees indicated that they primarily visited . Variety Camp was great County parks to enjoy nature, walk dogs, socialize What are the most essential recreation programs in and meet friends, and hold events. Outdoor class- the county? rooms and environmental education programs were • Youth and Teen programs listed as a main attraction, as well as sports and • There has been a loss of teen participation— special events. ability to bring back programs The facilities that were deemed most desirable • Ask what services the community needs included: • Don't rely on technology alone to communicate—advertise in churches • Amphitheaters • Hiking and biking trails . Ongoing"after-school"activity—consistent programming • Access to water features(ponds) What role does recreation programming currently • Diverse features,with each park offering a primary theme or unique opportunities fill in the community? Attendees indicated more bilingual signage was a Leadership programs need in the parks, and specifically cited the former Programs that integrate the total family Occoneechee Village at River Park as needing work. (inter-generational) Better signage was also suggested, especially along • Programs that strengthen social skills (e.g., Daddy Daughter Dance,cooking class) wooded trails. The group felt that partnerships with 0 Non-sport programs for kids schools, UNC and Duke should be pursued, and 6-11