IPWG agenda 120700 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I 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 ' m 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 rojects have been identified might be developed, with input from all park p 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 .