Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-19-2012-13 (2) Information Item Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks&Recreation To: Frank Clifton, County Manager Michael Talbert, Assistant County Manager From: David Stancil, Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Director Date: June 1, 2012 Re: Parks and Recreation Master Plan Status The Parks and Recreation Master Plan is now fully engaged, and staff, our consultants and the Parks and Recreation Council have begun work that will continue through the fall, winter and spring, to solicit community input (via a scientific survey, youth survey, and input sessions) and develop a plan for the year 2030. Two staff teams have been formed to work on the project, a Master Plan Group and a Staff Resources Team (which comprises representatives from a number of other departments and the Manager's office). Professors at UNC-Greensboro have been hired to conduct the community needs assessment (scientific random- sample) survey, and produce documents for the plan on economic development linkages with parks and recreation, and tourism opportunities. An intern from UNC's Master of Public Administration program is working with staff on demographics and other background materials. Attached is a timetable for planned activities associated with the project. The most ambitious portion of the project is a random-sample survey of 4,100 county households on parks and recreation program usage and experiences and preferences for future needs, among other topics. A draft of the community needs assessment survey instrument will be completed and shared in upcoming weeks (well prior to distribution). This survey would be administered in September and completed in October, with evaluation and analysis received prior to the end of the year. Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks &Recreation PO Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2510 Fax: (919) 644-3351 A Youth Survey will also be administered to participants in summer recreation programs, and distributed to other camps and venues during the summer to gain the perspective of young people on the facilities and programs offered, and their needs and interests. While subject to change as needed, three public input sessions are planned (in addition to a public hearing once the draft plan is completed). This document, when completed, will provide a blueprint for the future of parks and recreation facilities and programs that will build on the 1988 plan and the many reports, plans and facility accomplishments since that date, and complement and add to the goals and objectives identified in the Parks and Recreation Element of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan 2030, adopted in November 2008. The document will also explore partnership opportunities (current and future), linkages to municipal plans, conservation and open space contiguity, economic development, tourism, and many other topics. Staff and the Parks and Recreation Council are excited about gaining new information on our parks and recreation offerings and the exploration of future options and paths that will help provide healthy lifestyles and the opportunity to recreate, learn team-building and life lessons through recreation, and enjoy our quality of life. At this point, existing resources appropriated as part of the FY 2011-12 budget will be sufficient to complete the task, with no additional funds requested for FY 2012-13, Please let me know if I can provide any additional information. Our next projected check-in to the Board (other than providing advance copy of the survey) would be in October, although more frequent informational reports could be generated if desired. Copies: Keith Bagby and Denise Dickinson, PRC Co-Chairs Master Plan Group Staff Resources Team Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks&Recreation PO Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2510 Fax: (919) 644-3351 Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2030 - Timetable of Activities June 2011 Approval of Project,Funds NA August 2011 Project Scope Discussion P&R Master Plan Team(Team) September 2011 RFP Prepared, Refined Team,Stancil November 2011 RFP Solicited Financial Services(FS) December 2011 Proposals Received(0) FS January/February 2012 Review Status,Status memo to BOCC,Re-engage and plan for action Team March May Hire Research Consultant(s),complete timeline Team/Stancil June-August Community Needs Assessment survey instrument created, refined and Consultant, Team, Parks and completed, sampling techniques finalized. Companion "Youth Survey" Rec Council (PRC), Staff prepared and administered. Background sections of plan drafted, Resources Group (SRG) annotated Table of Contents completed. Informational item update to BOCC June 19. July-September Survey prepared, random sample identified and ready for dissemination. Team, Consultant, SRG Youth Survey' results evaluated, report created. Demographic, socioeconomic and service area (transportation) data collected, and other Master Plan sections drafted. September Survey distributed to random sample (4,100 households). Follow-up Consultant, Team, PRC postcards. Municipal & School Coordination sections drafted. October Public Input Session#1 held. Status Report to BOCC. Survey results to Consultant, Team, PRC, SRG consultant by end of month, analysis of survey data. November-Dec Survey results/analysis received. Draft Plan. Meet with Mgmt Consultant, Team, PRC, SRG January 2013 Consultant report on survey findings/recommendations. Public Input Consultant, Team, PRC, SRG Session#2 on results of CNA and Draft Sections of Plan. Complete remaining data collection, and receive final reports on standards, tourism/parks and economic impacts from consultant. February 2013 Full Draft Plan, BOCC update. Present draft at Input Session#3. Team, PRC, SRG March 2013 Revisions to Draft Plan as needed. Status Report to BOCC. Team, PRC April-May 2013 Review BOCC and public comments, create Plan Final Draft. Public Team, PRC Hearing. Advisory Board review (PRC recommendation) June 2013 BOCC Considers for Approval. Team, PRC July-August If needed.PRO Final Review and refinement(if remanded).Return for action by BOCC for BOCC(PRC) formal adoption of Parks and Recreation Master Plan(if needed) The Youth Survey will be administered through surveys and focus groups during summer camps and programs,and also administered via the schools in September.