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

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improvements to physical health, well-being, learning, family bonding, and community building. Therefore, it is imperative that all residents have the opportunity to enjoy the bountiful resources the Regional Parks System provides. The regional park implementing agencies should act to remove or reduce barriers which prevent use of the regional system. Barriers may include safety concerns, cost, transportation, and lack of information about programming and facilities. If needed, new facilities and/or programs (including marketing programs) should be designed to increase use of the Regional Parks System by all the residents of the region, irrespective of race, ethnicity, income, and ability. Metro Transit and other transit providers are encouraged to work with the regional park implementing agencies to identify any transportation barriers and design programs to increase the level of access to the Regional Parks System. The Regional Parks System has been designed and developed to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for all of the residents of the area, with facilities and services geared to meet the demands and abilities of the general population. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed by the U.S. Congress in 1990, has created specific requirements for development and rehabilitation projects in the Regional Parks System. All new projects and updated master plans for the system include ADA review. Regional Park Implementing agencies are encouraged to use U.S. Access Board guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas as a minimum standard of accessibility on all new or substantially altered capital projects within the Regional Parks System. Additionally, regional park implementing agencies are encouraged to provide physically challenged participants with similar park/trail experiences through adaptive programs. Findings from the 2008 Regional Parks Visitor Study found that people of color underuse the regional system. In 2014, the Council released its research findings on Regional Parks System use among select communities of color. A total of 16 focus groups were held throughout the metropolitan region to assess recreational preferences, barriers to recreation participation, and suggestions to enhance participation. In sum, 263 individuals participated in the focus groups and self -reported diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Study findings revealed the most preferred outdoor recreational activities included walking, picnicking or barbequing, and playground use. In terms of barriers to using the Regional Parks System, the most frequently identified barriers were lack of awareness, available time, fear or safety concerns, language barriers, and weather. Focus group participants identified key suggestions to enhance park use, including: • Increasing awareness • Addressing safety • Enhancing capacity of gathering spaces • Creating a regional park ambassador program • Increasing and diversifying programming • Providing more events in regional parks In addition to the study noted above, the Council invited feedback from around the region to identify strategies that would have the greatest impact on strengthening equitable use of the Regional Parks System. Based on the insights provided by more than 400 individuals, the Council has committed to