Agenda - 06-03-2014 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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M Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan CHAPTER 1- Summary of the Plan The results of these efforts are shown in Chapter 6. As noted therein, the three surveys conducted (2, 3 and 4 above) have been collated to provide for a more representative and balanced assessment of the survey results (the rationale for this is explained in more detail on pages 6 -2 and 6 -3 of the plan). A total of 835 persons (including a 12.5% response rate for the random - sample survey) responded to the ques- tionnaires. Generally, the survey results indicated: • Strong support for the types of facilities and programs, facility safety, maintenance and accessibility. • Strong support for expanding active and low- impact recreation opportunities. • High recognition of the role parks and rec programs play for the economy and public health. • Moderate support for more indoor recreation or arts facilities. • A need to create or expand trails linking areas of the county. • The highest interest categories for future program areas are hiking, swimming and walking. • The highest interest for future facility needs are for walking /hiking /nature trails, swimming pool and greenways. • Preferences for funding new facilities through grants, donations, voter - approved bonds and existing taxes, and a lack of interest in funding through increasing local (non- property) taxes. Of the 835 survey respondents: • 31% came from unincorporated Orange County, • 29% from Hillsborough, • 27% from Chapel Hill, and • 7 %Carrboro and • 6% from Mebane Focus group meetings to delve into more specifics on targeted issues were held on: • Soccer Facilities • Trails and Connectivity • Public Health Benefits • Park Facility Needs • Recreation Programs • Nature and Environmental Programs • County /Town Coordination, and Economic, Public Health and Environmental Linkages Providing parks, open space and recreation programs is a key component in quality of life measurements for communities, and often an important fact in economic development decisions, in the health and general welfare of a community and its natural environment. To this end, research was conducted to evaluate economic, health and environmental components of parks and recreation. A 2011 national study indicated that every $1 invested in land conservation (including parkland) returned $4 in economic value — not including potential jobs and tourism. Additional research performed for this master plan by UNC- Greensboro found that "preserving parks and recreation funds can actually reduce the need to allocate funding" for other purposes. This supports other studies that find parks "are a good financial investment for a community" — by enhancing residential property values, generating jobs and tax revenue, and attracting retiree incomes and small businesses. Tourism, through special recreation events and sports tournaments, has also been shown to benefit from investment in parks and public open spaces. Orange County has already seen the benefits of local soccer tournaments (some of which have been shown to generate nearly $1 million in economic benefit) and their spinoff economic impact on restaurants, lodging and other segments of the economy. Likewise, there is strong research to support the importance of parks and recreation programs on public health and quality of life. This is important to combat several national trends in public health. Sev- en of every 10 deaths among Americans each year result from preventable chronic diseases — diseases that would benefit from more exercise. In Orange County, 53% of adults and 33% of high school chil- dren are not within healthy weight ranges. Nationally, persons who report access to walking/ jogging trails are 55% more likely to be active. • Sportsplex Coordination 1 -5