Agenda - 10-30-2000-1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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In order to operationalize a system of planning for joint park projects, a consensus will be needed on where these parks should exist. If the Lands Legacy Annual Action Plan process is the vehicle to identify and pursue land acquisition for joint parks efforts, a map is needed to show where these park needs are. A Conceptual Future Park Sites map is proposed to show current facilities, and the general area where joint parks projects have been agreed to by elected boards. Such a map could be incorporated into the County's Recreation and Parks Element of the Comprehensive Plan, due for update in 2001, to create a Countywide master plan. The map might also be adopted by reference into each of the Town parks and recreation plans. In conclusion, the report notes the many positive actions that have occurred in the past five years in coordinating and sharing parks and recreation plans. An Inter - Governmental Parks Work Group is poised for an initial meeting in November to continue the sharing and coordinating function. At the same time, however, the County and Towns are faced with a number of significant challenges in coming years. The Towns often must sacrifice capital funding for new parks in order to operate and maintain existing ones, and over $47 million in identified projects stand unfunded. Good park sites are lost each year to development as the area continues to grow, making parkland acquisition a high priority. The 1999 JMRP report has called for a bond referendum to address parks needs. To address these issues, the report offers the following ideas: 1. Develop a- Memorandum of Agreement among the local governments on capital funding for future joint parks. The Memorandum could explore the nature of joint parks ventures (larger -scale parks serving both rural and Town populations), the method for identifying and acquiring park sites, the County's potential roles in capital funding, land acquisition and facility development, the Town's potential roles in operation and maintenance, and the inter - relationships with school/park co- location. Funding equity issues might also be explored in this Memorandum. 2. Create and Adopt a Conceptual Future Park Sites map. To support the Memorandum above, an agreed -upon map showing the conceptual area in which joint park projects have been identified might be developed, with input from all jurisdictions and adopted by all elected boards. This map could be used annually as parks funding is considered by the jurisdictions. 3. Develop Plans for a Parks and Open Space Bond. As noted above, unfunded parks needs (both for parkland acquisition and facility development) exist among the jurisdictions, and the 1999 JMRP report noted the need for a bond referendum. While not all of these projects would be joint ventures, some would likely be appropriate collaborative efforts. The County and Town elected boards may wish to discuss this need and arrive at a mutually agreeable timetable for a bond referendum, or discuss other funding options.