Agenda - 11-23-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

007 SUMMARY REPORT This report summarizes the major findings and recommendations of a nine month study of the recreation and park needs of the citizens of Orange County. The county recognized the need to develop a comprehensive Master Recreation and Park Plan (Master Plan) to guide community leaders in the orderly and adequate provision of leisure opportunities. The study was accomplished through a combination of in-house staff effort, technical assistance from a qualified park planning/consulting firm, and guidance from a citizen group which monitored the plan's progress throughout the planning period. This "team" approach to planning for the needs of the community resulted in a more thorough and comprehensive assessment, with resulting recommendations truly responsive to citizen input. The Plan is designed to become one element in the county's Comprehensive Plan and is consistent with other county comprehensive plans and ordinances. The recommendations contained within this document should be assessed and updated as necessary. The Plan was written to be adequately flexible but responsive to the challenges of changing government's ability to preserve and protect the recreational needs of Orange County citizens. Obtaining community input through a series of public meetings coupled with a review of typical recreation and park standards effectively aided in recognizing the immediate and long-range recreational needs of the citizens. Once these needs were put in quantitative terns, they provided a guide in determining land requirements for various types of park and recreation areas or facilities. These requirements, or standards, are then used to formulate the direction of future park and recreation development. Historically, the majority of recreation facilities have been provided by the towns of Chapel Hill and;Carrboro and the private or quasi-public sectors of the county. The County Recreation and Parks Department has concentrated on providing programs but has recently taken a more active role in the provision of facilities. In order to facilitate the projected land requirements of an adequate parks system, responsibilities for providing certain types of parks should be divided among several public (primarily municipal and county governments) , quasi-public and private entities, with a majority of the responsibility falling to public entities to ensure accessibility and availability of facilities and programs to all citizens.