OCPB agenda 070214 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

9—1 Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan CHAPTER 9 - What Does It All Mean: Summary and Findings from Inventories, Research, and Input 9 What Does It All Mean: Summary and Findings from Inventories, Research, and Input Introduction In the preceding chapters, we have learned about existing and previous plans for parks and recreation in Orange County; reviewed the inventory of current parks and recreation facilities, as well as planned future facilities; considered current programs and services; reviewed population estimates and projections and other demographic “driving factors”; examined the results of several distinct surveys of community needs, both statistical, online, and targeted to ethic and special populations; looked at the relationship and linkages with this plan and the County’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan; and explored the impacts of parks and recreation on the county’s economy, the public health and our natural and cultural environment. Having examined the above data and information, it is now possible to begin to draw some conclusions that will help illuminate possible future needs and efforts. In this section, we will explore the changing needs that appear to have emerged in the past 25 years, along with opportunities to meet these challenges. A look at the use of standards for future needs will also be presented, both from a population-based formula and a needs-based version from the opinions shared in the different surveys of commu- nity needs. This exercise will enable the examination of service areas and service delivery, and the potential for meeting needs both at the County level and in conjunction with other partners. This analysis, plus all of the prior data and information presented in this plan, will enable us to draw a number of conclusions, or findings, that may help establish the plan for parks and recreation going forward to the year 2030. A. Changing Needs and Conditions Many things have changed with the passage of 25 years since the 1988 master plan. It would be impossible to list all changed conditions that affect the method and means of parks and recreation provisions, but some of the most relevant include:  The county population has grown from 88,000 to 137,000 persons (56% increase).  Orange County passed parks and open space bonds in 1997 ($6 million) and 2001 ($20 million) for acquisition of parkland and construction of parks and recreation facilities.  Orange County opened its first park in 1998 (Efland- Cheeks Park), built with bond proceeds from the 1997 bond. Park facilities in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough and Mebane have also been constructed to serve those communities.  Most of the parks and facilities called for in the 1988 Master Recreation and Parks Plan are now built or the sites secured.  There has been a greater emphasis at the federal, State and local level on building trails and protecting identified natural areas.  Recreation program offerings are more numerous and considerably more diverse as community needs have evolved. This is true both for Orange County and its municipalities.  The County acquired an indoor sports facility, the Triangle SportsPlex, which includes a swimming pool, ice rink and fitness areas among other amenities.  The County has engaged in partnerships with non- profit recreation providers for summer camps and sports leagues.  The internet and means of electronic communication have greatly altered how people receive information about parks and recreation services. 95