Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/08/2018

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In summary, the initial decision on whether a new activity can and should be accommodated is up to the regional park implementing agency responsible for the regional park, park reserve, special recreation feature, and regional trail. The Council will become involved if the regional park implementing agency decides it would like to accommodate a new activity but the Council deems the use incompatible with the nature -based system or finds that a master plan amendment is necessary before the new activity can be accommodated. Recreation Activities and Facilities - Strategy 2: Most heavy recreational use should be accommodated in the more urban regional parks. Facilities that attract many users require large capacity roads and connection to a municipal sewage treatment system. These facilities should be confined to parks and park reserves located in the region's Metropolitan Urban Service Area, as defined in Chapter 1, unless the demands for heavily used services cannot be adequately met at Regional Parks System units in those areas. If facilities need to be developed in the Rural Service Area, the master plan should justify facilities that will attract large numbers of users and indicate how support services and facilities, such as roads and sewers, will be provided. When feasible, the transit system should be planned to provide access to Regional Parks System units. Transit planners should consider routes and facilities that are sensitive to parks, park users, park development plans, and local agencies' rules and regulations. Many regional parks and park reserves are located in the Rural Service Area because a high -quality natural resource base has long been a major criterion for determining lands that are appropriate for the Regional Parks System. Many of the rural park reserves were existing parks that were designated as regional recreation open space when the Regional Parks System was established in 1974. In order to build up a large recreational land reserve to be used for future populations, it has been necessary to acquire land in the Rural Service Area. Much of the demand for recreational facilities, especially those that attract large numbers of users, can be adequately accommodated at properties in the Metropolitan Urban Service Area. Some activities, such as nature study, camping, and water recreation, because of their resource demand, will likely be accommodated at parks or park reserves located in the Rural Service Area. Intense developments at parks and park reserves in the Rural Service Area should be the exception rather than the rule and should be considered on a property -by -property basis. Developments intended to enhance the protection and preservation of natural resources, whether in the Metropolitan Urban Service Area or the Rural Service Area, advance the strong conservation role of park reserves. Recreation Activities and Facilities - Strategy 3: Strengthen equitable usage of regional parks and trails among all residents, across race, ethnicity, income, and ability. The regional park implementing agencies provide outstanding facilities, amenities, staffing, and programming to offer a welcoming environment. Activities hosted within the Regional Parks System include a breadth of opportunities for visitors, such as movies and music in the park, day camps, festivals, nature programming, among others. The benefits of park use are numerous, including