LANE COUNTY PARKS & OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN SEA TO SUMMIT: Creating the Future of Lane County Parks Board of County Commissioners October 10, 2017
Purpose of Meeting Provide Master Plan status report and update Present highlights from engagement process Address questions and receive comments on vision, mission, goals and planning process to date
Planning Process
Master Plan Development Process Infuse existing data with best practices, community vision and goals to reset the Master Plan Draft Plan Analysis PAC and Task Force Guidance Assets, Issues, & Opportunities Summary DISTILL REFINE Vision & Goal Development Case Studies Market Profiles Service Provision Scenarios Countywide Outreach Recommendations & Funding Plan Work Session Draft Plan Public Review and Commenting Advisory Guidance Final Plan COMPILE Adoption: Winter 2018 June Oct 2016 Nov 2016 August 2017 Sept 2017 Feb 2018
Community Engagement Process
Lane County Park Regions
Early Outreach Staff visioning retreat (2004) Focus group meetings (2004 2005) Questionnaires (2004, 2005, 2010; 2011 and 2015) Community telephone survey (June July 2010) Preliminary Draft Plan Online Review (9/2015 3/2016) SCORP Survey (2011) SCORP Region 3 Investment Priorities
2010 Telephone Survey Findings Priority projects ranked on scale of 1 (low) to 3 (high) Park and recreation projects Mean score Maintaining parks and facilities 2.7 Protecting natural resources 2.6 Protecting historic structures 2.3 Developing trails 2.1 Upgrading parks and facilities 2.1 Providing more recreation facilities 2.0 Acquiring land for future parks 1.9 Developing new parks 1.8 High Priority: Take care of what we have Medium Priority: Improve or add to what we have Low Priority: Add new parks
Public and Stakeholder Engagement Task Force initiation PAC involvement Project branding Webpage update Public information updates Online questionnaire Community workshops County Fair activities
Task Force Involvement Master Plan Task Force 23 members, representing 6 regions and various interests: Planning Natural resources Tourism Partner agencies PAC liaisons 5 Meetings to Date Discussion topics: Park and OS Opportunities Vision, Mission and County Role Park Priorities and Investment Scenarios (Joint with PAC) Community Interests & Priorities Outreach Findings and Confirmation of Vision & Goals (Joint with PAC)
Vision Concepts
Service Concepts & Composite Emphasize water Connect to nature Support trail experiences
Public Participation Questionnaire (April June): 463 respondents Community Workshops (April June): Eugene, Mapleton, Leaburg, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oakridge and Springfield County Fair (July): 7 different locations 106 participants 80 respondents
Public Outreach/Notification Broad outreach: To ensure that residents were aware of opportunities to be involved Between April 28 and June 5, 2017: Website First & Second Press Release Video Network Emails Lane County Staff Email & Newsletter Key Communicator Network Emails Facebook Video Facebook Ad Campaign Other Facebook posts Twitter Video Twitter Ad Campaign Flyers, Letter, Editorials Digital Billboard Radio PSAs
Questionnaire Participation
Questionnaire/Workshop Findings
Questionnaire Findings Table 1: Highest Priority Improvements for Lane County Parks IMPROVEMENT COUNT PERCENTAGE Nature trails (hikers only) 163 43.4% Habitat protection/restoration areas (limited or no public access) 163 43.4% Beach access 135 35.9% Non motorized boat launches (e.g., canoe, kayak, paddleboards) 132 35.1% Trails that link with other regional trails 131 34.8% Picnic areas/shelters 130 34.6% Swimming areas 130 34.6%
Questionnaire Findings Question 15: Where should the County focus its investments? (Please select your top two choices) ANSWER COUNT PERCENTAGE On improving the maintenance and condition of existing parks On a mix of existing and new recreation opportunities 218 57.1% 119 31.2% Equally across the county 86 22.5% On providing new trails 84 22.0% On developing vacant park sites already owned by Lane County 75 19.6% On providing new parks and open space 37 9.7% On one or two large, popular parks within each region 27 7.1% On parks near my home 21 5.5%
Workshop Findings Community Workshop Activity: Design a Park! Higher level of investment: Most groups designed parks requiring an investment of several million dollars. Most preferred a mix of water access, trails, natural areas and other features
Lane County Fair
Lane County Fair Activity Results Why do you love Lane County Parks? Nature, wildlife and landscape: 56% Hiking and trails: 25% Activities in parks: 21% (e.g., camping, fishing) Cleanliness and maintenance: 13% Water access and activities: 13%
Vision, Mission & Goals
The vision reflects the aspirations for parks and open space in the future: Proposed Vision Our thriving parks and natural areas connect us to our rivers, reservoirs and natural features, showcase our heritage and natural diversity, and protect resources for future generations.
Proposed Mission The mission describes the business or approach that County staff will take in providing parks, recreation facilities, trails and open space. We responsibly manage, sustain and enhance our parks and natural resources through partnership, stewardship and quality customer service.
Proposed Goals Goals are the desired outcomes to be achieved by implementing the Parks & Open Space Master Plan. Collaborate, connect, create vibrancy, generate economic vitality, protect resources and reflect our values.
6 Proposed Goals: Collaborate: Engage residents, volunteers, interest groups, educational providers, businesses and local, state, and federal agencies as partners in the coordinated effort to expand, enhance, interpret, provide, and protect parks, natural areas, trails and recreation opportunities across Lane County. Connect: Attract people to nature, the outdoors and County parks by providing a variety of experiences, improving park and facility access, increasing stewardship, supporting environmental education/nature interpretation, and improving communication. Create vibrancy: Re invigorate and revitalize key parks as thriving, family friendly outdoor activity hubs through redesign, renovation and programming to help position Lane County as the best county for outdoor recreation and play. Generate economic vitality: Create a strategic and holistic park management approach that balances local needs with opportunities to create economic benefits and/or to generate revenue to re invest in parks. Protect resources: Sustain and protect unique County assets, cultural and natural resources as our legacy for future generations. Reflect our values: Emphasize our diverse, natural character and make high impact, lowcost moves to maintain sites, sustain infrastructure and improve the quality, safety and attractiveness of park amenities, landscaping and recreation facilities.
Master Plan Development
Next Steps Phase 3 Tasks: Systemwide strategies Site recommendations Funding & partnership strategy Administrative Draft Plan Public Draft Plan Online comment forum Plan review meetings Final Plan & adoption
LANE COUNTY PARKS & OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN SEA TO SUMMIT: Creating the Future of Lane County Parks