Agenda Date: 05/17/2016
Subject:
Title
A resolution adopting the Parks, Recreation, and Trails Master Plan
Body
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Presented By: |
Mike Braaten, Deputy City Manager |
POLICY QUESTION:
Does city council support the adoption of the Parks, Recreation, and Trails (PRT) Master Plan?
BACKGROUND:
The City of Littleton contracted with Greenplay, LLC in 2015 to complete a PRT Master Plan to provide direction to the city, in cooperation with South Suburban Parks and Recreation District (SSPR), on how to move forward with improvements to Littleton’s park, recreation and trails.
The plan was developed in cooperation with SSPR staff, who attended and participated in team meetings and aided in the plan development.
Public outreach was accomplished through focus groups, public meetings and interviews of key staff and elected officials from Littleton and SSPR. A statistically valid survey was provided to a random sample of Littleton residents. Another survey was available to anyone interested in providing input, and an online survey was available on the city’s citizen engagement website, openLittleton.org.
City council held a joint study session with the SSPR board on January 26, 2016 for an initial presentation of the community input received and an overview of the remaining process. A second joint study session was held on April 26, 2016 for a presentation and comment session on the draft plan’s recommendations.
The PRT Master Plan was presented to the planning board on May 9, was found to be consistent with the goals and policies outlined in the Citywide Plan, and was recommended unanimously for adoption by city council, with a condition to add recommendations addressed in appendix D to the executive summary of the plan.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The PRT Master Plan speaks directly to Goals 2, 3 and 4 of the Citywide Plan:
Goal 2: An Outdoor Littleton seeks to, “Capitalize and expand upon Littleton’s most valuable outdoor resources, including the South Platte River and its tributaries; the panoramic views, landscape, wildlife, recreation facilities, and public gathering places. Make these resources as available to the public as possible while protecting and enhancing them.”
Goal 3: A Connected Littleton seeks to, “Enhance local, regional, and global linkages - physical, social and technological.”
Goal 4: A Distinctive Littleton seeks to, “Maintain and expand upon the characteristics that make Littleton an authentic and distinctive community.”
Overall, the plan seeks to maintain and improve the parks, recreation and trail assets and build upon the positive working relationship with SSPR.
As this is a master plan, the recommendations are broad, but components in the document call out areas of focus. During the development of the plan an inventory of park properties (both SSPR and the city owned) was conducted and a Level of Service (LOS) analysis completed. The LOS portion of the plan (pages 63-100) evaluated park amenities. Within the LOS analysis, the consultants made recommendations to address lower-scoring parks and improvements to enhance the visitor experience. This information is included in Appendix D (page 14) and will be helpful, along with inventory information from SSPR, to develop park improvement plans for budget purposes.
The executive summary provides a quick overview of the plan, process and recommendations. The full narrative on the recommendations begins on page 102 and the action plan on page 123.
Given concerns raised by councilmembers at the April 26 study session, language pertaining to Goal 2 Enhance Financial Stability, Objective 2.3 was changed from, “Pursue dedicated funding source for parks and trails,” to “evaluate dedicated funding options for park and trail projects that are responsive to the desires of Littleton citizens.” This language is similar to what is found in council’s adopted Goals and Objectives. Additionally the recommended actions 2.3a-c were amended to, “research and analyze” potential funding options, rather than “explore.”
Related to these changes, the language of a sentence on page 60 of the document under the paragraph entitled “Potential Funding Support” was amended to read,” A variety of fees strategies are utilized by public park and recreation entities for funding one time or on‐going maintenance of projects, and should be evaluated by Littleton if a desire or need to address a dedicated funding source for parks and recreation becomes a priority of city council.” This sentence formerly read, “a variety of fees strategies are utilized by public park and recreation entities for funding one time or on-going maintenance of projects, and create opportunities for Littleton as outlined below.”
The planning board requested recommendations relating to low scoring park components found in appendix D be added to the executive summary of the plan to improve readability and highlight areas of potential improvements. Given the discussion surrounding these recommendations, staff also added an additional action to the Plan’s Goal 4.1.f, to work with SSPR to annually identify low scoring park components and prioritize improvements based on safety, level of service, trends, demand and other identified factors.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
Since the plan is an advisory document, there are no fiscal impacts to its adoption. City council will review annual work plans during the budget process and will generally consider funding for individual elements addressed in the plan at that time.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the resolution adopting the Parks, Recreation, and Trails Master Plan.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the resolution adopting the Parks, Recreation, and Trails Master Plan.