HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-30-1999 - 5S~
Summary of Joint Master Recreation and Parks Work Group
March 23,1999
..
'I. Cl~~rg~ to, the work ~~~~. ', ;, ,. , .
Update and modem the Master Recreation and Parks Plan to be a joint long-range
capital facilities plan for Orange County, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill.
Over the last decade, several recreation and parks planning efforts have been undertaken
across the County, with policy recommendations covering a spectrum of related issues.
These previous efforts resulted in the development of three guiding policies that serve as
the rationale for the current effort:
• Explore the relationship between existing and proposed school sites and parks
• Explore strategies for the preservation of natural and cultural resources through
open space design, including the relationship of these resources to active and
passive recreational uses
• Update Master Plans of County and Municipalities
I1 i~'I~n ~3'pidate Process ', ....
' The most recent efforts in developing the interjurisdictional master park and recreation
plan have included the formation of a work group comprised of elected officials, citizens,
staff, and interested stakeholders. The. following bullets highlight key activity areas.
• The work group divided into two subcommittees, 1) Resources and 2) Needs
Assessment, to create an inventory of public, quasi-public, and private recreational
facilities/opportunities, and update the countywide needs assessment.
• After completing this task, the subcommittees reformed into the work group to
address issues such as the incorporation of wildlife corridors and open space
preservation into parkland acquisition, joint capital funding, and payment-in-lieu
reform.
• Parks and Recreation Directors from each jurisdiction presented reports on projected
program and facilities needs to work group.
• Staff developed draft criteria for fund allocation and recreation land acquisition,
receiving comment from work group.
• Staff is currently preparing versions of a final report incorporating all of these areas
for work group review.
• The work group will develop the final proposals and recommendations in April/May
1999, which will be presented to the elected boards.
III. Fr~mar~ ~~$~~~ ~dds~d by Plam W~xk Groff '
Throughout the planning process, the work group has inventoried current facilities,
discussed joint standard development, and investigated issues related to pazkland
acquisition and facilities funding. The following list highlights some of these issues.
• Staff prepared an inventory of public, quasi public, and private facilities within the
County that possess recreational opportunities for citizens. The database is structured
to allow for constant updates and serve as the basis for a publicity brochure
highlighting recreation resources in Orange County.
• The role of recreation provision by U1VC was discussed, and further investigation
into possible partnerships between municipalities and the University has been
discussed.
• The development of joint standards for all jurisdictions in recreation and park
provision was discussed, and may be a recommendation for a future Recreation and
Parks Council (see below). '
• The coordination of school and park siting is a top priority, and work from the
School/Land Use Council can be incorporated in order to further this effort.
• A multi jurisdictional payment-in-lieu program is being investigated. A review of
local programs, case studies of efforts throughout North Carolina and the U.S., and
consultation with the Institute of Government, are serving as the basis for this review.
• Interjurisdictional capital funding efforts for pazkland acquisition and recreation and
project funding are being developed. A proposal to coordinate CIP budgets and
acquisition mechanism for parks and recreation between all jurisdictions is being
developed, with a goal of efficient service provision to the entire County.
Tom: PossrbCe Reetitn~tni~nrl~,tions of Work Croup ;, .
While the Work Group has not yet developed its recommendations, adraft set is being
considered. These possible recommendations include:
A. Standardized parks and recreation requirements among jurisdictions
B. Joint siting, design, and management of school and park sites
C. Public/private partnerships across jurisdictions
D. Joint Capital Facilities Plan for Pazks and Recreation
E. Standing "Joint Recreation and Pazks Council", that would address future
followup, maintain database, public relations, develop future bond
proposals
F. Open Facilities Policy among 1) County, towns and OWASA, 2) UNC
and schools, and 3) Duke
G. Using CIP to recommend acquisition /joint acquisition methods
H. Recommended Payment-in-lieu Changes