Consultant: In association with: ETC Institute Leisure Vision Nationally Recognized….Uniquely Local A Presentation for the Citizens Capital Budget Advisory Committee July 11, 2012

Connecting people to opportunities and places within the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation System Three Key Themes: Conservation and Stewardship Parks and Greenways Recreation Programs and Facilities

National Recreation and Park Association (NCRPA) Guidelines Best Practices of Similar Cities/Counties including: Maryland National Planning Commission Fairfax County, Virginia Lake County, Illinois Oakland County, Michigan Recreation Activity Participation Rates Reported by Sports Data for U.S and for Mecklenburg Area Consultant Findings and Assessment Report Citizen Survey

2008 Comprehensive Park and Recreation Master Plan

Using the combination of unmet community needs and community priorities, Walking and Biking Trails, Small Neighborhood Parks (2-10 acres) and Nature Centers and Trails are the three facilities / amenities that merited the highest priority

Using the combination of unmet needs and community priorities, Adult Fitness and Wellness Programs, Special Events and Family Recreation – Outdoor Adventure Programs are the three programs with the highest priority ranking

Park and Facilities Standards

Mecklenburg County Citizen Survey Questions on full range of usage, customer satisfaction, needs, unmet needs, and priorities questions Completed 1033 surveys. Results have 95% level of confidence with margin of error of +/-3%

Summary of Overall Findings Usage of parks is high with good satisfaction Mecklenburg County Parks is the prime provider of services Enjoyment of the outdoors and close to our home/residence are prime reasons for usage There is a wide range of unmet needs for outdoor and indoor parks, trails, recreation facilities and programs Walking and biking trails are the most important facilities, followed by small neighborhood parks, and large community and regional parks

Summary of Overall Findings Special events/festivals and adult fitness and wellness programs are most important programs Market opportunities exist to grow programs of high importance at Mecklenburg County facilities 50% of household respondents do not feel there are sufficient parks and green space areas within walking distances of their residence 88% or more of households feel it is important to use Mecklenburg County Greenways for environmental protection and a major connected network of walking, biking and nature trails Purchase land to support the community identified goals

Community Vision for Greenways Develop the 185 miles included in the 2008 Greenway Master Plan. Currently 37 miles of greenway are open to the public. Talented people are moving to our city in large part because of our trail system that creates the quality of life they are expecting. …Trails are no longer viewed as community amenities; theyre viewed as essential infrastructure for business recruitment. John Brewer, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Billings, Montana

2-stage process: 1.Capacity Service Area Analysis Existing assets - map service areas based on facility capacity 2.Gap Analysis and Parcel Prioritization Identify opportunities for new facilities in service gaps: »Size »Access via frontage on a major or minor thoroughfare »Partnership via adjacency to a school, library »Linkages to greenways »Linkages to developed parks »Residential population within new service area »Public transit accessibility Park Facilities Gaps and Needs Analysis

National Recreation and Park Association (NCRPA) Guidelines Best Practices of Similar Cities/Counties including: Maryland National Planning Commission Fairfax County, Virginia Lake County, Illinois Oakland County, Michigan Recreation Activity Participation Rates Reported by Sports Data for U.S and for Mecklenburg Area Consultant Findings and Assessment Report Citizen Survey

Boards Community Vision Elements In 2015, Mecklenburg County will be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK AND RECREATE.

CCBAC Action Support the Fiscal Year 2014 request of Park and Recreation to provide the facilities required by the citizens for a sustainable community. Recognize and support the need to acquire public lands for attaining goals for recreation and preservation of open space.