Title
Resolution - A Resolution to Adopt the 2009 Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Master Plan
Requested Action
Consider adopting the 2009 Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Master Plan Update including the following changes requested by City Council at the December 14, 2009 meeting:
o Statement of Purpose page at the beginning of the document stating "This document is a tool and guideline for planning and grant application purposes only. Projects will be completed when and if funding is available; all appropriate projects will be presented to City Council and the Mansfield Park Facilities Development Corporation (MPFDC) for their future prioritization and approval prior to project implementation"
o A "Master Plan Development Timeline" page has been added to the beginning of the document
o Page 18, the title of the chart was changed from "Recommended Park Land Dedication Ordinance Revisions" to "Possible Funding Options as Identified by the Independent Consultant That Could be Considered in Review of the Park Land Dedication Ordinance Revisions".
o Table 8.1, the following clarification statement was added; "This document is a tool and guideline for planning and grant application purposes only. Projects will be completed when and if funding is available; all appropriate projects will be presented to City Council and the MPFDC for their approval prior to project implementation"
Recommendation
Adopt the 2009 Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Master Plan Update
Description/History
Currently, planning for parks and recreation facilities relies heavily on the Parks, Opens Spaces and Trails Master Plan adopted in 2002. The purpose of this plan was to provide direction and set priorities for growth of the park system based upon the growth of the community. Since the adoption of the Master Plan in 2002, the MPFDC has completed the top ten list of projects. The new Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trail Master plan is intended to continue the planning to include new parks, recreation facility locations, trails, and any additional open space within the City of Mansfield. It also guides city staff and city leaders in determining the location of park facilities and funding estimates over the next 10 years to continue the growth and development of the Mansfield Parks and Recreation system.
TIME LINE:
· October 2007, staff advertised for a Request for Qualifications to update the 2002 Parks Master Plan.
· January 2008, Halff Associates was selected as the consultant
· March 2008, first meeting set up with staff
· April 14, 2008 Joint Work Session with City Council and MPFDC
· May - September 2008, public meetings, work sessions, focus groups and surveys were held for community input
· October - February 2009, consultant collected information on existing park facilities and programs to complete the parks inventory
· In March-June, 2009 staff received comments from other departments and City Manager
· June 9, 2009 1st draft presented to MPFDC
· July 13, 2009 Joint Work Session with City Council, MPFDC, and P&Z
· August 10, 2009 Joint Work Session with City Council, MPFDC and P&Z
· October 29, 2009 MPFDC adopted plan
· November 16, 2009 P&Z recommends approval of this plan with the exception of the recommendation to change the Park Land Dedication Ordinance fees.
· December 14, 2009 Plan presented to City Council as MPFDC adopted and recommends the plan to council as presented including the recommendation to change any fees. City Council postponed the item, requesting additional clarification statements be added in the document that this plan is for "planning purposes only" and is not committing any funds until funds are available.
· January 11, 2010 plan is presented again to City Council for consideration of adoption. The following changes have been made to the plan:
o Statement of Purpose page at the beginning of the document stating "This document is a tool and guideline for planning and grant application purposes only. Projects will be completed when and if funding is available; all appropriate projects will be presented to City Council and the MPFDC for their future prioritization and approval prior to project implementation"
o A "Master Plan Development Timeline" pages has been added to the beginning of the document
o Page 18, the title of the chart was changed from "Recommended Park Land Dedication Ordinance Revisions" to "Possible funding options as identified by the independent consultant that could be considered in review of the Park Land Dedication Ordinance Revisions".
o Table 8.1, the following clarification statement was added; "This document is a tool and guideline for planning and grant application purposes only. Projects will be completed when and if funding is available; all appropriate projects will be presented to City Council and the MPFDC for their approval prior to project implementation"
Justification
An adopted Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Master Plan, provides guidance and direction to staff, the MPFDC and City Council for the future development of the park system. The parks master plan process allows for the community to create a priority list for future park projects and having an adopted parks master plan also allows the city to apply for grants through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to help fund future projects.
Adopting the parks master plan, does not commit to funding any projects. It allows the opportunity for the MPFDC to take the adopted plan, including the priority list, to create a Strategic Business Plan outlining what projects to construct, when to construct them and how to fund them. Once adopted, the MPFDC will work on a Strategic Business Plan to present to Council in the future for approval.
City Council members will receive new and updated final executive summaries once the final Master Plan has been adopted. The consultants will be present to answer any questions.
Funding Source
Funding for the plan is included in the MPFDC's FY07/08 budget and was approved by the MPFDC at the December, 2007, meeting.
Prepared By
Hillary Hodges, Park Planner, Parks & Community Services