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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC_PR Update_05.12.2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda Report Meeting Date: 05/12/2021 Item Number: DATE: May 12, 2021 FROM: Greg Avakian, Parks and Recreation Director Prepared By: Shawna Scott, Senior Planner, Community Development SUBJECT: Parks + Recreation Blueprint for the Future: 2021-2041 Parks and Recreation Plan and General Plan Element Update RECOMMENDATION 1. Provide input on direction and suggestions identified by the City Council during the May 3, 2021 Study Session on the Parks + Recreation Blueprint for the Future: 2021 -2041 (Parks and Recreation Plan and General Plan Element Update) and provide a recommendation on the Plan for City Council consideration. BACKGROUND For additional background regarding the Parks + Recreation Blueprint for the Future: 2021-2041 Parks and Recreation Plan and General Plan Element Update (Plan Update), including the summarized introduction to the Public Draft Plan Update please refer to the March 3, 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) agenda report, available here. The public is encouraged to attend the public hearings on this item and provide comments as the Public Draft Plan Update proceeds through the hearing process. The document and links to opportunities for public comment are available here: https://www.slocity.org/parksandrecreationelementupdate DISCUSSION On April 7, 2021, the PRC received a presentation from City staff on the Plan Update, including a summary of public comment received during the March 25, 2021 Public Workshop and additional comments received through the Open SLO website and other correspondence. The PRC provided comments and direction, which are summarized in Table 1 below, in addition to staff’s recommended revisions for the Final Plan. The PRC should review this table and provide any additional feedback regarding staff’s recommended revisions in response to the PRC’s prior comments. In addition to the comments noted in the table below, staff has prepared a Draft Executive Summary to be incorporated into the Plan Update following PRC’s review (refer to Attachment 1). City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subtitle Parks and Recreation Plan and General Plan Element Update Page 2 Table 1. Parks and Recreation Commission Comments and Staff Suggested Plan Revisions PRC COMMENTS REVISIONS FOR FINAL PLAN Be clear on the intent of the plan and potential for amenities. Identify in Executive Summary and Chapter 5 (Implementation). Clearly define pump tracks and identify multi- functional areas (bike, roller). Provide description of different types of pump tracks, and identify multi-functional uses and areas (bike, roller). Each amenity, including but not limited to courts, fields, and other flat or undulating surfaces need to be considered for multiple, all-inclusive, all- ability, and uses due to lack of space in the City; move these up in plan to the near term (0-5 year) timeframe. Expand descriptions of key amenities to include multi-use, multi-ability, and all-inclusive functions, and elevate priority (near-term timeframe). Further support and identify the importance of community through gathering, including dog parks, events, all-inclusive uses, and infrastructure (e.g., gazebo, stage, platform). Identify in Executive Summary and Chapter 5 (Implementation). Identify/incorporate need for moderate sized gathering areas/picnic areas; consider in renovations; sized for 2-3 families. Expand descriptions of gathering areas in Chapter 5 (Implementation). Plan should recognize the size and diversity of the senior population and the need for the City to increase its financial and staff investment in the SLO Senior Center. Expand opportunities related to the SLO Senior Center in Chapter 5 (Implementation). Consider the distance between services. No suggested revisions; however, Parks and Recreation staff will continue to coordinate with the Transportation Division during implementation of the Active Transportation Plan and the Parks and Recreation Plan, and will utilize the access gap map to decrease distances among services, parks and facilities, and neighborhoods. Incorporate additional policy language related to trees, including the need to prepare a tree inventory, prepare a master tree list, and plan for trees in the future, including maintenance. Incorporate additional policy language in Chapter 4 (Goals and Policies). City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subtitle Parks and Recreation Plan and General Plan Element Update Page 3 PRC COMMENTS REVISIONS FOR FINAL PLAN Encourage inclusion through posted rules and etiquette. Continue to emphasize these characteristics as requirements in all city sponsored programs. Incorporate in policy language specific to inclusion (Chapter 4, Goals and Policies). Include goal for unstructured, open play areas such as large grass areas to sit, read, run, play, informal soccer, ultimate Frisbee, etc. Incorporate additional opportunities where not already identified (Chapter 5, Implementation). Call out intent to connect city and county walking/bike paths with Bob Jones Trail with destination at Avila Beach. At this time, no further revisions are recommended, as these types of facilities are best addressed in the Circulation Element and Active Transportation Plan. Laguna Lake Park: address aquatics and lake edge restoration; good location for lighted athletic fields, sports courts, bocce ball. Incorporate additional opportunities to be further developed during comprehensive update to Laguna Lake Plan (Chapter 5, Implementation). Ludwick Center: downtown has limited park and recreation space. Office space at Ludwick could be located elsewhere to allow greater value to community for senior center and/or indoor recreation and community events. Incorporate additional opportunities to be further developed during development of the Plan for the Ludwick Center (or other center) (Chapter 5, Implementation). Laguna Lake Golf: Consider moving golf to different location. May be cost prohibitive, but current space is near large residential areas and easy to reach by walking or bike. Golfers generally always drive to course, which could be relocated and possibly become an 18 hole course. Maybe area near airport and Tank Farm Rd? Current space could be used for variety of uses with thoughtful planning to minimize neighborhood concerns. At this time, no further revisions are recommended; however, this concept could be considered in the future following a feasibility analysis and other evaluation. Meadow Park: move some amenities to 0-5 year timeframe, such as the dog park and activation opportunities. Revise Chapter 5 (Implementation) by moving key amenities to near-term timeframe. City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subtitle Parks and Recreation Plan and General Plan Element Update Page 4 City Council Study Session, May 4, 2021 During the City Council Study Session on the Parks + Recreation Blueprint for the Future: 2021 -2041 Parks and Recreation Plan and General Plan Element Update,1 the City Council provided the following directional items and suggestions for staff and PRC review and consideration. The PRC should review these items, discuss with staff, receive public comment, and provide recommendations on how to address in the Final Plan. • Further assess if use of resident or daytime population is appropriate for parkland aspirations (10 acres per 1,000 people) and/or current and future amenity needs. • Make sure there are clear distinctions about Open Space and open public spaces/places and urban trails. • Remove reference to a second golf course. • Consider dividing the Meadow/Sinsheimer sub-area into two sub areas. • Look for "quick build" projects as it relates to what we already have, such as a dirt pump track, dog parks, shade/cooling, lighting, gardens, and community events. • Update opportunities for Cheng Park improvements. • Clarify if multi-generational center would also be a multi-cultural center. • Clearly explain and clarify community engagement results summarized in the document. • Consider park ambassadors to support diversity, equity, and inclusion. • Conduct additional focused outreach related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Key next dates and opportunities for review are identified in the table below. Date Action May 26, 2021 Planning Commission: Recommendation to City Council July 6, 2021 City Council – Adoption of final plan 1 City Council Study Session Agenda Report available online: http://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=141546&dbid=0&repo=CityClerk City Council Study Session, video of meeting available online: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjSH3YJ12dVzLmQYuevI_sw ATTACHMENT 1 DRAFT Executive Summary The Parks + Recreation Blueprint for the Future: 2021-2041 (Parks and Recreation Plan and General Plan Element Update) is an essential guide for the future of parks and recreation in the City of San Luis Obispo for the next twenty years. This Blueprint addresses the evolving recreational needs of our community, with a strong focus on advancing and supporting community building, sustainable transportation, carbon neutrality, resiliency in a changing climate, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Plan’s Guiding Themes permeate through the goals, policies, and opportunities, and include: Key considerations for the enhancement and redevelopment of existing parks and the development of new parkland will be striking a balance between active and passive recreational use, maintaining neighborhood character, ensuring high quality design and maintenance, and optimizing resources and inclusion by providing multi-generational, multi-use, and multi-ability amenities and facilities. Incorporation of innovative universal design and continued conversations with our community will be critical to resolve and prevent any barriers to our community’s safe enjoyment of City parks, recreation amenities, public art, and programs. The Blueprint also identifies the need for park activation and building community through site planning and provision of community gathering space and associated infrastructure; supporting and facilitating community events; incorporation of public art and cultural expression; and dynamic programming to address multi-generational and multi-ability needs of our community. This document is divided into five chapters and includes an Appendix with detailed background information and data supporting identified policies, recommendations, and opportunities. Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 5 comprise the Parks and Recreation Plan and Chapter 4 consists of the Parks and Recreation Element of the General Plan. The Blueprint does not include uses, goals, or policies for Open Space; the Conservation and Open Space Element of the General Plan includes goals, policies, and programs specific to the City’s Open Space. Chapter 1 introduces the planning process and overarching goals of the plan. Chapter 2 takes a deeper look at San Luis Obispo through demographic analysis and its parks and facilities through a detailed inventory. Chapter 3 provides a summary of the extensive community engagement conducted over three years during development of the Plan. Design Excellence Stewardship and Sustainability Inclusion and Access Building Community Partnerships and Public Engagement Good Governance Chapter 4 provides the detailed policies that flow from five system-wide goals, which include: ❖ Build Community and Neighborhoods: City Parks and Recreational facilities should build and connect community through inclusive and diverse amenities and programming. ❖ Meet the Changing Needs of the Community: Leverage regionalism and creatively increase the number of City parks, recreational facilities and amenities, to meet user needs. ❖ Sustainability: The City’s Parks and Recreation facilities will be vibrant, resilient, and sustainable. ❖ Optimize Resources: Establish, maintain, and operate parks, facilities, and programs in a manner that is cost effective and manageable while engaging the community in a manner that optimizes involvement and support. ❖ Safety: Provide safe, accessible, inclusive, and well-maintained City parks, recreational facilities, and amenities. Chapter 5, Implementation, is intended to be aspirational and identifies a range of potential opportunities for each park and facility based on the wants and needs expressed by our community. The Implementation Chapter provides the flexibility to consider identified opportunities and determine the appropriate design and amenities of our City’s parks and recreational facilities through focused community outreach and the preparation of comprehensive park-specific plans. Fulfillment of this Blueprint will result in increased community connection within neighborhoods, the provision of equitable distribution of amenities throughout the City, the creation of safe, accessible, and inclusive public spaces for all people, and promote community investment in our public recreational spaces.