Chatham County Public Findings Presentation May 7, 2018
Master Planning Process
Page 7 Demographic Snapshot 2017 Population 292,686 Median Age 35.5 Households 112,699 Median Household Income $48,699 Source: Esri Business Analyst
Population Growth Trend Projected 10 Year Increase 38,484 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, and Esri Business Analyst Page 7
Page 7 Population Growth Trend by Age Group Source: Esri Business Analyst
Page 7 Generational Participation Source: Physical Activity Council 2017 Participation Report
Information Gathering Summary Public Engagement Focus Groups 6 (56) Stakeholder Meetings 10 Leadership Summit Leadership Interviews Random Mailed Survey 380 responses Open Link Survey 1019 responses 6,000 reached by Facebook Municipal Association Presentation
Priorities in the Next 5 Years Maintain, improve and repair existing facilities Indoor space for athletics Equitable distribution of facilities, programs and equipment Improve marketing and communications Address the plans that already exist - Thomas Avenue Plan Phase out old equipment Consistency of maintenance standards/practices for all facilities Account for population growth and changes in density
Priorities in the Next 5 Years Continue to develop partnerships and engage: cities, schools, youth organizations Address connectivity / expand bike trails and walking paths Continue to address safety and security Programs for outreach to youth and children Make Chatham County a destination for sports/recreation sport tourism Better communication with County staff ADA accessibility
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Page 7 Importance of Existing Facilities
Page 7 Level of Needs Met By Existing Facilities
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Inventory of Facilities Level of Service (LOS) Analysis A detailed assessment of the existing Chatham County parks and recreation facilities available and comparison to the needs of the residents. Visited and assessed the 44 County facilities identified on the Chatham County Park Services website. Facilities were scored on a scale of 1-3 1 = Poor / Below Expectations 2 = Average / Meets Expectations 3 = Excellent / Exceeds Expectations During site visits, parks and recreation facilities were photographed and notes were taken to verify the quantity and condition of the existing amenities. The LOS analysis is used as a guide to identify areas of opportunity for improvement within Chatham County s parks and recreation program.
Inventory of Facilities Chatham County, Georgia +/-440 square miles Approx. 293,000 residents 8 Municipalities Bloomingdale Garden City Pooler Port Wentworth City of Savannah Thunderbolt Tybee Island Vernonburg
Inventory of Facilities Types of Facilities: Community Centers 1 Community Parks 6 Golf Courses 1 Multipurpose Trails 2 Nature Preserves 4 Neighborhood Parks 10 Sports Facilities 7 Swimming Pools - 1 Weight Lifting Centers 1 Boat Ramps and/or Fishing Piers - 10
Inventory of Facilities Examples of Park Inventory: Park Location & Description Park Acreage Outdoor facilities Playgrounds Multiuse Fields Baseball fields Basketball courts Drinking fountains Picnic tables Shade Boating/fishing access Dog park/facilities Indoor Facilities Community Centers Swimming Pools Weightlifting Facilities
Inventory of Facilities Community Parks Community Parks 6 facilities spread throughout County Average Rating = 1.8 Lowest Rating = 1.2 Highest Rating = 2.5 Active and passive activities Unique features garden plots, archery range, historic significance, skatepark, RC park, disc golf, mountain bike trails Common Themes to be Improved upon: General maintenance & upkeep of grounds (grass, plantings, etc.) ADA Accessibility Update playground equipment, pavilions, restrooms, etc. Improvements to one park currently under construction, improvements to another are currently in design
Inventory of Facilities Neighborhood Parks Neighborhood Parks 10 facilities spread throughout County Average Rating = 1.2 Lowest Rating = 1.0 Highest Rating = 1.6 Common Themes to be Improved upon: General maintenance & upkeep of grounds (grass, plantings, etc.) ADA Accessibility Vehicular and/or pedestrian accessibility No restrooms available Update playground equipment, pavilions, etc. No facilities for dogs During site visits a resident informed Consultant of suspected drug activities Appears from tax records that some of the parcels are not owned by Chatham County
Inventory of Facilities Sports Facilities Sports Facilities 7 facilities predominately located on south side of Savannah and Islands community. Only one facility located on west side. Average Rating = 1.6 Lowest Rating = 1.1 Highest Rating = 2.2 Common Themes to be Improved upon: General maintenance & upkeep of grounds (grass, plantings, etc.) and fields many fields appear worn down from constant play ADA Accessibility Improvements to restrooms, concessions, water fountains, lighting Update playground equipment, pavilions, etc. No facilities for dogs Hodge Turner Ballfield was noted as being unplayable At the time of the assessments Memorial Stadium was under construction and therefore not evaluated.
Inventory of Facilities Nature Preserves & Multipurpose Trails Nature Preserves 4 sites Average Rating = 1.7 Lowest Rating = 1.1 Highest Rating = 2.1 Items to consider for improvement: Dog stations Security lighting in parking areas Improvements to vehicular access, parking, ADA improvements Frank O Williamson Lake was noted during the site visit as being closed potential future opportunity Multipurpose Trails 2 sites Average Rating = 1.4 Lowest Rating = 1.1 Highest Rating = 1.6 Items to consider for improvement: Dog stations Security lighting in parking areas Improvements to vehicular access, parking, ADA improvements McQueen Trail was noted as being damaged during the recent hurricanes.
Inventory of Facilities Boat Ramps/Fishing Piers Boat Ramps / Fishing Piers 10 facilities Average Rating = 1.4 Lowest Rating = 1.0 Highest Rating = 2.1 Three sites located on/adjacent to Intracoastal Waterway Two ramps appear to have been constructed/improved within the last 5-6 years. Common Themes to be Improved upon: General maintenance & upkeep of grounds (grass, plantings, etc.) Installation/upgrade of restrooms Update pavilions, grills, etc. Improve parking and access Dog facilities
Inventory of Facilities Indoor Facilities Frank G Murray Community Center Rating = 2.3 Facility serves its purpose well and is well maintained Chatham County Aquatic Center Rating = 3.0 Facility exceeded all expectations. Very well maintained. Anderson-Cohen Weightlifting Center Rating = 2.7 Facility exceeded all expectations. Very well maintained. Al Henderson Golf Club Rating = 2.3 Very nice public facility, well maintained grounds
Inventory/LOS Summary & Findings County has 6 community parks distributed throughout the MSA. Of those, 2 are rated at or above average and 2 are currently being improved (1 under construction & 1 under design). The neighborhood parks are in need of the most improvement to make them usable to the community. Recommend review neighborhood parks for viability within the vision of the County s Parks and Recreation Department moving forward. The sports facilities are older facilities and show their age. Based on observed conditions, the fields are reconfigured based on the particular sports being played and the fields are not allowed to recover. The County has 10 facilities offering its residents access to the coastal waters for boating and/or fishing. The quality of these facilities ranges from below average to at or above average.
Inventory/LOS Summary & Findings The assessments consistently identified maintenance and equipment upkeep/replacement as an item to be addressed. County has a well distributed network of facilities east of I-95 and south of I-16. This is consistent with the historical population center of the community. As development has expanded to the west, the County has not established any new facilities in this portion of the County. While this may appear as a gap in service, it should be noted that the City of Pooler (not part of this study) has constructed its own parks to serve its population. Additionally, there are 8 municipalities within the County offering recreational activities and opportunities, often times with overlapping service areas with County facilities. Prioritization of improvements is necessary to ensure they are accomplished.
Park System Benefits Earth Economics, 2011
Page 7 Recurring Themes Maintain, improve and repair existing facilities / apply standard consistently Increase availability for indoor space for athletics Improve connectivity, develop trails, bikeways and walking paths Need new facilities: gyms, another pool, dog park Equitable distribution of facilities, programs and equipment Continue to develop partnerships and engage: cities, schools, and youth organizations Preserve open space Improve Communication and Marketing Address accessibility: ADA, neighborhoods, high growth areas of the county Increase programming and outreach to youth and teens Need additional funding sources: grants, impact fees, transient tax
Next Steps Visioning Workshop Develop Recommendation and Actions Public Presentation Development and present the Draft Present the Final Plans
Questions, Comments, Feedback?
Thank You! Art Thatcher, MPA, CPRP Direct: 757.592.3013 artt@greenplayllc.com Pat O Toole pattp@greenplayllc.com