Bedford County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan

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Bedford County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan Bedford County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan December 18, 2007 Adopted by the Bedford County Board of Commissioners Prepared by the Bedford County Planning Commission With technical assistance provided by This plan was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnership Program, Environmental Stewardship fund, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. Intentionally Blank Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................1-1 Plan Purpose and Value Planning Process Plan Overview by Chapter Setting and Study Area.........................................................................................................................2-1 Regional Setting County Characteristic and Trends Major Communities and Corridors Significant and Sizable Features Development and Conservation Policy Open Space Resources.............................................................................................................. 3-1 Sensitive Natural Resources Resources for Rural Industries Resources for Rural Character Regulation and Protection of Natural Resources Conclusions and Options Parks & Recreation Facilities ................................................................................................... 4-1 State Parks and Recreation Resources Local Public Park and Recreation Facility Assessment Analysis of Parks and Recreation Facilities Trends Conclusions for Recreation Facilities Recreation Systems ................................................................................................................... 5-1 Recreation Systems Public Needs and Interests Challenges of the Times Pennsylvania Recreation Plan 2004-2008 Recreation in Bedford County Recreation Linkages with Tourism Recreation Analysis Conclusions and Recommendations The Vision for Parks, Recreation and Open Space............................................................... 6-1 Vision Guiding Principles Goals and Objectives Action & Implementation Plan ............................................................................................... 7-1 BEDFORD COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE PLAN i Appendix Foundation and Authority for Parks, Recreation and Open Space Planning in Pennsylvania ............................................................................................................ A-1 Maps............................................................................................................................... A-5 Open Space Resources Map Fish and Game Resources Map Park and Recreation Facilities Map Trails and Greenways Map Parks, Recreation, Greenways and Open Space Network Map Reference Maps from the Southern Alleghenies Regional Greenways and Open Space Network Plan Greenway Corridor Composite Criteria Map Regional Greenway Projects Map Bedford County Project Corridors Map ii CONTENTS 1 Introduction Bedford County adopted its Revised Comprehensive Plan in December of 2006. This plan outlined the need for more specific policy and investment regarding the provision of recreation facilities and services and the stewardship of open space lands in Bedford County. These aspects of community life were deemed important by citizens and for citizens. Therefore, this new plan was developed to establish the direction, priorities and partnerships most suited to ensure that recreational opportunities and open spaces meet the needs of residents. However, this first Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan for Bedford County is timely for several other reasons, as well. Tabulation of the 2000 census was completed, marking the closure of the 20th century. Amendments to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code in 2000 gave new authority, responsibilities, and tools to counties and municipalities for regional planning, farmland preservation, historic resource preservation, and water supply protection, among other items. In 2001, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania completed its first statewide Greenways Plan, Pennsylvania Greenways: An Action Plan for Creating Connections, and began investing in county planning efforts to carry forth its vision. Pennsylvania’s Bureau for Recreation and Conservation had just released its 2004- 2008 State Recreation Plan, including resident survey results by county. In addition, the county has joined with its neighboring counties to develop a five county regional greenway plan to regionalize conservation corridor efforts. To that end the County adopted the Southern Alleghenies Greenway Plan in 2007. Finally, Growing Greener II was proposed by Governor Ed Rendell, and approved in 2005, to make a portion of this $625 million initiative available for projects restoring natural resources, protecting open spaces, and revitalizing older communities. The Bedford County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan project represents an opportunity to synthesize current data with regional and comprehensive planning in order to position the County and its municipalities for action and investment. PA Greenways Vision Pennsylvania and its many partners will develop an outstanding network of greenways across the Commonwealth, creating an asset highly valued by Pennsylvanians and enhancing the quality of life for all. This network of greenways will connect Pennsylvania's open space, natural landscape features, scenic, cultural, historic, and recreation sites, and urban and rural communities. Greenways will become one of the Commonwealth’s most powerful tools to achieve sustainable growth and livable communities. - Pennsylvania Greenways: An Action Plan for Creating Connections, June 2001 BEDFORD COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE PLAN 1-1 Plan Purpose and Value Purpose This Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan sets forth a vision and guidelines for parks and facility development, leisure program and service delivery, the operation and management of the parks and recreation system, and the protection of open space and rural character. It provides a start toward meeting the recreational needs of County residents and visitors and securing accessible open space for all County residents. Value This Plan defines desirable outcomes, direction and action to sustain and enhance the quality of parks, recreation and open space in the Bedford County. It outlines tangible steps to be taken in meeting Bedford County's future needs. Its success will depend on serious commitment. In doing so, we can help: • Conserve and protect the county’s unique heritage and resources • Diversify the county’s travel options through land and water trails • Establish a true recreation system, not merely separate facilities and functions but a series of interconnected places and programs. • Strengthen and diversify the county’s economy through collaborative recreation and tourism. This plan provides a starting framework for making our vision for tomorrow a reality. Looking to the future, Bedford County wants to maintain the rural characteristics that attract people to the County, while enhancing the recreational opportunities and amenities for residents. Planning was the first challenge, implementation is the next. Again, this is not only the responsibility of public officials but a county wide endeavor of all sectors with a shared vision for the future and a belief that progress requires sustained effort. The Bedford County Planning Commission will be able to reference this document in their reviews of subdivision and land development plans. Where opportunities to accomplish the Plan’s goals exist and are not recognized by the proposed plan, the Commission and the planning staff should feel confident in requesting further consideration of the identified opportunities by the landowner or developer. Local municipalities can look to the plan for its data on resources and existing facilities, its ideas for municipal and multi-municipal projects, its listing of project partners and assistance programs and its case studies of approaches to resource management and recreation services, particularly in rural areas. Municipalities can also directly reference the existence and recommendations of the plan in their grant 1-2 INTRODUCTION applications to funding agencies; this emphasis on consistency with county policy often improves a municipality’s competitiveness for public funding. The plan has value for many other county partners. School districts may be interested in sidewalk and trail projects that provide safe routes to school, interpretive sites for outdoor education and opportunities to expand recreational facilities. Public and private recreation organizations may be willing to partner on unique recreation facilities or programs. Non-profit community and environmental associations may find new locations for special events in the highlights of existing parks and plans for their enhancement. Because the county’s open space and recreational assets are also attractive to visitors, this Plan will provide a source of information to the Bedford County Visitors Bureau. From the Plan, Bureau staff will see where Bedford County intends to encourage open space protection and recreational development, and can use this information in support of its cultural and heritage initiatives. Finally, business development groups may take interest in projects that will enrich the quality of life for their employees and in sponsorship opportunities
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