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

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Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan CHAPTER 1- Summary of the Plan Focus groups conducted as part of the Orange Coun- ty Health Department's Community Health Assess- ment in 2011 spoke highly of the quality of parks and open space resources, but 75% agreed that lack of access to parks and recreational opportunities is a problem in Orange County — particularly in areas outside of the towns. A number of initiatives to en- courage more healthy lifestyles exist and could be enhanced through greater access to parks, and more healthy design within parks. Across the nation, dialogues on parks, public health and planning disci- plines are of foremost importance. Finally, the role that parks and public open spaces play in protecting our common natural resources is very important. Parks provide habitat for certain animal and flora species. Their natural areas help filter pollutants from streams and enhance water quality, offer wooded areas that improve air quality and provide important breaks in the impervious surfaces to lessen the effect of reflective heat and the myriad of issues caused by this increasing issue. Parks also include not only natural resources, but cultural and archaeological resources —old buildings, roadways, burial grounds and other significant features of the county's past. There are many such examples of these features within parks in Orange County, such as Blackwood Farm Park and Eno River State Park. Goals and Objectives In the case of this master plan, goals and objectives have already been identified through the adopted 2030 Comprehensive Plan. These five goals, and objectives toward the goals, are listed in Chapter 10. The goals are: 1 -6 "Overarching Goal: Regionally - coordinated park and recreation facilities that provide healthy opportuni- ties for recreation and exercise for all citizens of Or- ange County, and that preserve important cultural and natural resources." Goal 1: Provide adequate parks and recreational acilities for all citizens within the county regardless of age, gender, race or disability. Goal 2: Create a partnership among regional recreation providers and facility owners /managers including the appropriate co- location and sharing of school facilities that meets the County's recreation needs. Goal 3: Provide recreational facilities for public use in a manner that is multi- generational and accessible to all County citizens at both the county -wide and community level. Goal 4: Promote healthy lifestyles, quality of life and community building through the provision of a variety of affordable recreational facilities and choice of leisure activities, while responding to the changing needs and interests of County residents. Goal 5: Ensure that park and recreational facilities are environmentally - responsible, and where cultural and natural resources and open space within these sites are protected. These goals and the objectives towards these ends in Chapter 10, are interwoven into the findings and recommendations of this master plan. Also within the Orange County Comprehensive Plan 2030 are eight goals in other chapters that have relationships to parks facilities and recreation programs. These goals, including such areas as energy conservation, agriculture and forestry, cultural and archaeological resources and landscapes, and sustainability and native plant species, may be found on page 7 -1. Finally, the relationship of County parks and open spaces to other regional facilities is of importance. Places like public school facilities, the State Parks (including Eno River State Park and the Mountains to Sea Trail) are critical to factor into planning for the future of Orange County's overall vision. E