RECOMMENDED POLICY GUIDELINES

The following policy guidelines are recommended to blueprint future actions by the Parks and Recreation Commission and by the Board of Aldermen:

  1. Recreation areas and facilities shall be equitably distributed and conveniently located throughout the City to provide opportunities for all.  This statement implies fairness in the distribution of facilities. It also recognizes that needs differ from one part of the City to another. For example, close-at-hand recreation opportunities are more important in lower income neighborhoods than in more affluent areas where transportation does not create problems. Therefore, neighborhood-serving facilities should be more readily available in low income areas.

  2. The Department shall provide diverse facilities and programs to meet the basic needs of children, teenagers and adults, and the special needs of the elderly, the deprived, and the handicapped.  This statement recognizes that extra steps must be taken to provide for those with special needs. All facilities should be accessible to the handicapped and the economically deprived should have an opportunity to participate in all recreation programs.

  3. A variety of land and water areas adequate in size and strategic in location for both active and passive leisure pursuits and for visual enhancement and conservation shall be provided. The importance of location and variety in opportunities enhances the recreation experience.

  4. Programs, services and facilities which complement and supplement those provided by other public and private agencies shall be offered. The Department shall actively work to coordinate all local recreation services. This statement assigns to the Department the responsibility of coordinating local recreation services. It also implies close cooperation with the County, the YMCA, the schools and others to avoid competing for program services.

  5. Standards recommended in this report shall be adopted as minimums for: (1) publicly-owned acreage for recreation and open space; (2) convenient and equitable site location; and (3) facilities for both indoor and outdoor recreation programs. The standards recommended have proven to be adequate minimums and can serve as a blueprint for future land acquisition and development.

  6. The Department shall strive to establish levels of local fundings sufficient to: (1) match other sources of funds as the opportunity arises; and (2) sustain a program of land acquisition, facility construction and program administration in the absence of outside funding. This statement is designed to encourage ongoing capital funding to take advantage of federal or state funds as they become available, and in the absence of such funding, to continue to build the recreation system in an orderly way.

  7. The quality of the recreation experience and its contribution to the growth and development of the individual is a paramount concern, and is reflected both in the type of program offered and in the physical setting in which it takes place. The recreation experience is greatly enhanced by its physical setting. Over-used or poorly-maintained recreation areas detract from the value of the recreation experience.  In addition, the type of program offered and its quality are significant in the development of the individual participant.

  8. Facilities and programs shall take full advantage of all existing resources, both natural and man-made. As new opportunities arise, the City should seek ways to use them advantageously.

  9. Priorities for development will be assigned on the basis of providing the greatest benefits for the greatest number of people. While this statement is fairly self-evident, it does give additional guidance in determining where available funds should be spent.

  10. The first obligation of the Department is to residents of the City; however, when and where practical, non-residents will be accommodated in the various programs and facilities. Taxpayers should have the first opportunity to enroll in various programs. The City has established a non-resident fee policy.

  11. All recreation areas and facilities shall be maintained as a minimum, to their original design standards. This report strongly recommends that all areas and facilities be upgraded to their original design standards and further, that they be maintained constantly to those standards. Specific recommendations regarding this guideline are contained in the proposed Action Plan.