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9—13 Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan CHAPTER 9 - What Does It All Mean: Summary and Findings from Inventories, Research, and Input 9 3. Service Areas and Other Jurisdictions It should be noted that careful attention and planning should be undertaken by the towns and County to ensure that overlapping service areas are not unknowingly created. Municipal park service areas are different than those of the County due to population density, transporta- tion networks and other factors. Ongoing coordination and communication may identify possible economies of scale and joint needs, and at the least avoid duplication of facilities. 4. The Inventory, Data and Surveys Trying to capture a snapshot of “what it all means” is by nature a task that tends toward generalization. Some indicators are not clear. Sometimes the data and survey results appear to point in multiple directions. There are no guarantees that the projections and assumptions about future growth and driving factors will hold true. In fact, sometimes the most accurate thing that can be said is that some of these things will change. Some factors, some needs, some opportunities will morph and change in the 16-year period 2014-2030 that is the scope of this document. That is a given. However, the purpose of the plan is to provide a sense of the most-likely needs and challenges and opportunities, based on the best available information (including the information gathered in this document). Using all of the preceding chapters and information, one starting point toward identifying future recommendations and actions is the statement of a number of evidentiary conclusions, or “findings.” These findings should be supported by the data and information in the plan, and help illuminate an important area to be addressed in the Recommendations section of this document. The following Findings have been identified by the data, inventories and information gathered, and elaborated on by public input sessions and the deliberations of the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council and the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation staff. A. Parks and Recreation Master Plan-Findings From the information gathered in this report and associated documents, it appears the following findings may be safely stated. These have been grouped by topical area: Existing Parks and Recreation Facilities 1. County residents overwhelmingly approve of the way current parks and recreation facilities are operated and maintained. They feel safe in these facilities, and find them easy to get to and accessible. County staff are seen as helpful and professional. 2. In the 15 years since the County opened its first park, existing park facilities and recreation centers have been created which serve a variety of community needs - and get high marks for providing quality opportunities to recreate - but maintenance and equipment replacement needs are on the horizon for some facilities. 3. The County has successfully acquired parkland and constructed parks in low-income and minority communities over the past 15 years, providing a needed outlet for physical activity, reflection in nature and outdoor recreation that meets social, mental and physical needs f or both individuals and groups. 4. Residents strongly believe that park facilities and recreation programs A. Enhance economic health of Orange County; B. Enhance physical and mental well-being of residents, and C. Help reduce crime. Future Park and Recreation Facilities 5. There is strong interest among County residents to expand both active recreation and low-impact recreation opportunities (espe- cially including hiking, walking and biking trails, and a swimming pool). 6. Residents are less sure and largely split on whether the County should pursue indoor facilities for arts/leisure activities, but some what more in favor of additional indoor athletic facilities. 107