20 Staff Report - Work Plan for Parks, Open Space and Trails Inventory~ONN OF MEETING DATE: 8/6/07
ITEM NO:
~oA os COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: August 6, 2007
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: PAMELA JACOBS, INTERIM TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: WORK PLAN FOR PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS INVENTORY
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the work plan for and direct staff to proceed with an inventory of parks, open space and
trails.
BACKGROUND:
Over the past 14 years the Town Council has twice directed staff to conduct an inventory of
available sports fields in response to community concerns about the lack of facilities to meet
growing demands. Staff conducted an assessment of sports fields in 1993 and again in 2004.
During discussion of the sale of Vasona Park, some residents again raised a concern that
additional playing fields are needed in Town. At the June 4, 2007 meeting, the Council directed
staff to conduct an inventory of open space facilities in advance of the preparing a Recreation
Element as part of the General Plan Update.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has prepared a draft scope of work to inventory open space and recreation facilities in
Town. The inventory will include passive and active recreation facilities, consisting of parks,
natural areas, trails and playing fields including those at schools. Staff recommends that a
consultant be retained to conduct the inventory which will provide background information on
parks, recreation and open space for the upcoming General Plan Update.
The consultant will prepare an Existing Conditions Report that will include tables, charts and
maps. The report will include a description of open space facilities and trails, a facilities
inventory, and how each site is being used.
PREPARED BY: Bud N. Lortz
Director of Community Development
NADEV\CNCLRPTS\2007\Par1cs InventoryTC.tptl.doc
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney
Clerk Administrator , 'kfinance V Community Development
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: WORK PLAN FOR PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS INVENTORY
July 25, 2007
The Existing Conditions Report will be forwarded to a joint meeting of the General Plan
Committee and Parks Commission for review and comment. The Existing Conditions Report
along with comments from the joint meeting will be forwarded to the Council for review.
As mentioned above, staff anticipates that the inventory would be the initial phase of updating
the General Plan for parks and open space. The Council has previously expressed a desire to
conduct a focused General Plan Update which will include a review of recreation and open space
issues along with a variety of other issues. Staff is preparing a scope of work for the General
Plan Update that will be presented to the Council this Fall. The more substantive discussion of
potential long term issues, policies, goals and implementation measures would occur during the
General Plan Update.
CONCLUSION:
The proposed work plan will produce an inventory of existing facilities to provide the Council
and residents with clear information regarding all open space and recreation amenities in Town
and will serve as precursor to the broader discussion during the General Plan Update.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for the inventory will come from the General Plan Update Fund. Once the Council
approves the work plan staff will contact consultants regarding preparation of the inventory. It
is anticipated that the inventory will cost approximately $25,000 to complete and sufficient funds
are included in the adopted FY 2007/08 budget.
Attachments:
1. Work Plan for Parks, Open Space, and Trails Inventory
Work Plan
PARKS - OPEN SPACE - TRAILS
INVENTORY
Description: The inventory will review the Town's existing open space facilities to
establish what is available and how it is used. A consultant will be retained to conduct the
study. Meetings with decision makers will be held at key stages during development of
the inventory to provide status updates.
DATE
ACTION
rAugust 2007
Council approves work plan
October/November
a Consultant selected
2007
■ Data Collection
• Catalog existing facilities
• Inventory sites
• Facility use information
• Prepare base maps
Product: Work Paper Existing Conditions
December 2007/
Prepare Existing Conditions Report
January 2008
Product: Draft Existing Conditions Report j
r
February 2008
~
Joint Meeting with General Plan Committee and Parks
Commission to review Existing Conditions Report
Product: Existing Conditions Report
March 2008
Town Council Meeting
I
Product: Approve Existing Conditions Report
N:ADG V\Curtis B\Projects\Parks and Rec Element\Work Plan Needs Assessment.doc
ATTACHMENT 1