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

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93 Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan CHAPTER 10-Goals,Objectives,and Recommendations 10 2. Recommendations A. Determining When New Facilities and Having reviewed the County's goals and objectives Programs are Needed identified in 2008 for parks and recreation, and as How does the County determine when and where seen in the preceding chapters, there is strong inter- new facilities are needed, with a new emphasis on est in parks and public open spaces,and in recreation community-specific standards as the major determi- facilities and programs in Orange County. This inter- nant, and population-based standards used only as a est is validated in the high park attendance and rec- back-check and benchmark? reation program participation rates witnessed for the past decade. In addition to providing recreation As noted in Chapter 9, community-specific standards opportunities, residents feel strongly that parks and are now recommended as the best way for counties recreation programs enhance the economic health of and cities to truly determine their facility needs. To the county (93% agreement) and the physical and facilitate this, a set of Guiding Principles for Park mental well-being of the residents (96%agreement). Standards is suggested. These standards include the Knowing all of this, how does one then plan for the types of parks and public open spaces the County future of such important components of the quality should focus on going forward. Because of this, the of life? Planning for the future always carries an key to answering the question above is through more element of risk. No one can say for certain how many frequent check-ins with county residents on their residents will call Orange County home in the year needs and interests, matched with strategic capital 2030, what athletic programs will be in vogue, what and infrastructure planning. A combination of new park facilities will be desired and needed by the community needs, population distribution and trans- populace. Developing a master plan for the next 16 portation helps to determine future needs. Public years requires reliance on quality forecasting and the forums, surveys, focus groups and other techniques best available data; information and preferences conducted on a regular basis (recommended every shared by county residents about their desires and five years) should identify needs for facilities, and needs; and the flexibility to alter the course and analytical tools via strategic and capital infrastructure change plans as the next two decades unfold. plans will work in conjunction with these feedback mechanisms to explore needs and optimal locations Based on the information contained in this plan and for any future facilities. in the Orange County Comprehensive Plan 2030, using data and findings gathered from a variety of Likewise, as the publics interest in recreation programs change over time, these feedback sources and in a variety of ways, the following rec- mechanisms will also serve to alert staff to changing ommendations are offered to address the 20 Findings conditions and the potential for changes in program- listed in Chapter 9 and the goals and objectives listed ing needs. Recreation staff already has a process to earlier in this chapter, as well as other identified monitor program efficiency and satisfaction, and this needs and issues: will offer another tool to offer programming that * meets the needs of Orange County residents. Even with this new approach to community needs and standards, there are some existing parameters that will help the County know what types of facilities are needed and where to locate them. 10-3