Comprehensive Recreation, Parks, And
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Springettsbury Township Comprehensive Recreation, Park & Open Space Plan Prepared for: Springettsbury Township, PA Prepared by: Kise Straw & Kolodner 2008 Acknowledgements Board of Supervisors William Schenck, Chairman Don Bishop, Vice Chairman Mike Bowman Nick Gurreri George Dvoryak, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Parks and Recreation Board Charles Wurster, Chairman Gary Foller, Vice Chairman Sylvia Weber Stephen Wolf Cathy Holman Barry Bloss Sherry Nichols Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan Study Committee Michael Bowman Steve Noonan Mark Goodson Mike Forbes Richard Burd Tim Bieber Township Manager John J. Holman Director of Parks and Recreation David Wendel This project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. Springettsbury Township Comprehensive Recreation, Park & Open Space Plan 1 Table of Contents • Executive Summary . .i • I. Introduction . .1-1 • II. Community Profile . .2-1 • III. Parks & Recreation Facilities . .3-1 • IV. Open Space, Greenways and Trails . .4-1 • V. Recreation Opportunities . .5-1 • VI. Management . .6-1 • VII. Financing . .7-1 • VIII. Goals and Recommendations . .8-1 • IX. Implementation Matrix . .9-1 • X. Appendix A . .A-1 • XI. Appendix B . .B-1 • XII. Appendix C . .C-1 Springettsbury Township Comprehensive Recreation, Park & Open Space Plan 3 List of Maps and Tables Figures 3-1 Park and Community Facilities Map . .3-4 3-2 Park Service Areas Map . .3-12 4-1 Greenway and Trail Map . .4-16 6-1 Springettsbury Township Current Organizational Structure Related to Parks and Recreation . .6-3 6-2 Management Impact Statement . .6-20 7-1 Springettsbury Township Revenue Sources . .7-2 7-2 Parks and Recreation Revenue Trends . .7-4 7-3 Economic Benefits of Parks and Recreation . .7-12 Tables 2-1 Springettsbury Township Population Trends . .2-1 2-2 Population Change, 1990-2000 . .2-1 2-3 Springettsbury Township Population Projections, 2000-2020 . .2-2 2-4 Springettsbury Township Median Age, 2000 . .2-2 2-5 Springettsbury Township Population Under 20, 2000 . .2-2 2-6 Springettsbury Township Population Projections: 2000-2020 by Age . .2-3 2-7 Land Use . .2-4 3-1 Springettsbury Township Park/Recreation Land Inventory . .3-3 3-2 School District Recreation Land Inventory in Springettsbury Township . .3-5 3-3 Springettsbury Township Park Classification System . .3-6 3-4 County Park, Recreation Land, and Open Space Inventory in Springettsbury Township . .3-7 3-5 Private Park, Recreation and Semi-Protected Open Space Land Inventory in Springettsbury Township . .3-7 3-6 Parkland Acreage/NRPA Standards Analysis . .3-9 3-7 Comparisons of Park Acreage by Population and Park Acreage as Percentage of Municipality . .3-10 4-1 Open Space and Greenway Protection Strategies . .4-21 5-1 Key to Program Inventory . .5-5 5-2 Springettsbury Township Program Inventory 2006 . .5-6 6-1 Modes and Tasks for Park Maintenance . .6-11 6-2 Parks and Recreation Staffing Comparisons . .6-17 7-1 Springettsbury Township Parks and Recreation Department Operating Revenue Sources 2001-2006 . .7-3 7-2 Springettsbury Township Parks and Recreation Department Operating Budget Expenditures 2001-2006 . .7-5 4 Springettsbury Township Comprehensive Recreation, Park & Open Space Plan 7-3 Springettsbury Township Capital Improvement Fund Park Improvements 2001-20067-7 7-4 Springettsbury Township Subdivision Recreation Fund Distribution by District . .7-7 7-5 Springettsbury Township Subdivision Recreation Fund Revenues and Expenditures 2001-2006 . .7-8 8-1 Lifetime Cost of a Park . .8-14 Springettsbury Township Comprehensive Recreation, Park & Open Space Plan 5 Executive Summary Overview The Springettsbury Township Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan was created through a year-long strategic planning process that included public participation, an assessment of facilities and programs, and an evaluation of management and funding. Community input was sought through interviews with key stakeholders, group forums, a community survey and a community workshop. The Committee met regularly in open public meetings to provide insight, guidance, community contacts, direction for reports and to serve as promoters for the planning process. As a part of the Comprehensive Plan process completed in 2006, Springettsbury Township retained the services of Kise Straw & Kolodner in collaboration with YSM and Toole Recreation Planning to assist the community in defining a vision and set forth goals for parks, recreation services and open space in the municipality. Key Findings The key findings of the Plan include: • The Township offers a diverse mix of high quality recreation programs and services that are well- attended by residents and participation is rapidly increasing, • Additional land is needed for sports fields and new community parks, • The community has expressed the need for an indoor community recreation facility, • Opportunities exist for a greenway/trail network throughout portions of the community beginning with sidewalk extensions to neighborhood parks, • The Township’s park budget per acre of parkland is lower than average which affects facility maintenance, • A formal employee development program should be included in the parks budget to invest in staff and labor, • A maintenance management system is needed for parks and recreation facilities, and • Open space and natural resource protection is a priority as the Township reaches build-out. Goals and Vision With an increasing population, diminishing open space and a growing demand for recreation opportunities, the Springettsbury Township Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan seeks to provide the Township with a roadmap towards meeting the community's needs through effective management and quality facilities and services. Executive Summary i Within the next 10 years, the Springettsbury Township Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan will guide the Township to meet the following vision: Springettsbury Township provides a premiere park, recreation, and open space system meeting the needs of its citizens and provides opportunities for life-long recreation to enhance the quality of life of residents. The system includes parks, natural areas, trails, and greenways that connect the community and bring residents together. General Recommendation The Plan sets forth recommendations for parkland and open space, recreation facilities, greenway and trails, programs and services, management and finances. These recommendations include: • Acquisition of at least 165 acres of additional parkland, • Access improvements and amenity upgrades to existing parks and recreation facilities, • Development of master plans for underutilized and acquired parkland, • Conducting a feasibility study for an indoor community recreation center, • Creation of a connected system of trails and protected natural resources, • Expansion of the Springettsbury Township Parks & Recreation Department, • Development of a program and service management plan, • Development of a maintenance system for parkland and facilities, and • Exploration into a mix of tax funds, partnerships, sponsorships and non-tax funds to support, parks and recreation. Conclusion The Springettsbury Township Comprehensive Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan is intended to be a dynamic and flexible course of action. With committed leadership, Springettsbury Township can achieve the plan goals and vision for a premiere park, recreation, and open space system. Cooperation and communication between Township officials, staff, residents, community institutions, and governmental agencies are key to the implementation of this Plan. ii Executive Summary I. Introduction Plan Purpose and Goals As a part of the Comprehensive Plan process, Springettsbury Township retained the services of Kise Straw & Kolodner in collaboration with YSM and Toole Recreation Planning to assist the community in defining a vision and set forth goals for parks, recreation services and open space in the municipality. Funding for the Plan was acquired through Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR). The initial plan goals include: • Focus on a strategic plan to position the Township to move ahead into implementation. Emphasis will be on creating options and strategies rather than on data collection. • Review the current municipal planning documents. Evaluate implementation and determine areas in which the Township wishes to focus. • Ascertain the Township’s recreational and park development needs for the next 10 years. • Assess the need and desires of the community using information from the Comprehensive Plan process along with results of our citizen participation process. • Build consensus among diverse interests regarding parks and recreation goals and strategies. • Evaluate existing conditions of parks and recreation areas and determine potential of facilities based upon needs assessment. • Determine future park and recreation facility and resource protection needs, updating existing facilities to meet future needs, and defining potential pathways and linkages to create a connected community. • Coordinate planning with the school districts as appropriate. • Work with the Parks & Recreation Department to assess their roles and functions with an eye towards helping them to enhance their performance in meeting public