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

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x 89 Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan Q CHAPTER 9- What Does It All Mean:Summary and Findings from Inventories, Research,and Input J 3. Service Areas and Other Jurisdictions A. Parks and Recreation Master Plan-Findings It should be noted that careful attention and plan- From the information gathered in this report and ning could be undertaken by the towns and County associated documents, it appears the following to ensure that overlapping service areas are not un- findings may be safely stated. These have been knowingly created. grouped by topical area: Municipal park service areas are different than those Existing Parks and Recreation Facilities of the County due to population density,transporta- 1. County residents overwhelmingly approve of tion networks and other factors. Ongoing coordina- the way current parks and recreation facilities tion and communication may identify possible econ- are operated and maintained.They feel safe in omies of scale and joint needs, and at the least these facilities, and find them easy to get to avoid duplication of facilities. and accessible. County staff are seen as helpful and professional. 4. The Inventory, Data and Surveys 2. In the 15 years since the County opened its Trying to capture a snapshot of "what it all means" first park,existing park facilities and recreation is by nature a task that tends toward generalization. centers have been created which serve a Some indicators are not clear. Sometimes the data variety of community needs - and get high and survey results appear to point in multiple marks for providing quality opportunities to directions. There are no guarantees that the recreate - but maintenance and equipment projections and assumptions about future growth replacement needs are on the horizon for and driving factors will hold true. In fact, sometimes some facilities. the most accurate thing that can be said is that 3. The County has successfully acquired parkland some of these things will change. Some factors, and constructed parks in low-income and some needs, some opportunities will morph and minority communities over the past 15 years, change in the 16-year period 2014-2030 that is the providing a needed outlet for physical activity, scope of this document.That is a given. reflection in nature and outdoor recreation However, the purpose of the plan is to provide a that meets social, mental and physical needs f sense of the most-likely needs and challenges and or both individuals and groups. opportunities, based on the best available information (including the information gathered in 4. Residents strongly believe that park facilities an this document). and recreation programs A. Enhance economic health of Orange Using all of the preceding chapters and information, County; one starting point toward identifying future recom- B. Enhance physical and mental well-being of mendations and actions is the statement of a residents,and number of evidentiary conclusions, or "findings." C. Help reduce crime. These findings should be supported by the data and Future Park and Recreation Facilities information in the plan, and help illuminate an im- 5. There is strong interest among County portant area to be addressed in the Recommenda- residents to expand both active recreation and tions section of this document. low-impact recreation opportunities (espe- The following Findings have been identified by the cially including hiking, walking and biking data, inventories and information gathered, and trails, and a swimming pool). elaborated on by public input sessions and the 6. Residents are less sure and largely split on deliberations of the Orange County Parks and whether the County should pursue indoor Recreation Council and the Department of facilities for arts/leisure activities, but some Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation what more in favor of additional indoor athletic staff. facilities. 9-13