December 2009 Schrickel, Rollins and Associates, Inc. Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan Page 1 Table of Contents Acknowledgements Chapter 1 - Introduction Chapter 2 - Community Profi le and Park & Recreation Resources Chapter 3 - The Planning Process and Standards Chapter 4 - Needs Assessments Chapter 5 - Environmental Preservation and Open Space Plan Chapter 6 - Priorities, Reccommendations and Implementation Bibliography Appendix Page 2 Acknowledgements City Council Ted Reynolds, Mayor Dr. Robert Kelly, District 1 Gayle White, District 2 Dale Sturgeon, District 3 John Warren, Mayor Pro Tem, District 4 Parks and Recreation Board Ben Oefi nger, Chairman Casey Dugger Jeff LeClair Burt Powell Barbara Robinson Randy Stone Mary Ann Wheatley City Staff Chester R. Nolen, City Manager Rick Holden, Assistant City Manager Max Robertson, Director Parks & Recreation Division Mike Utecht, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Kristi Dempsey, Parks & Recreation Gina Moore, Recreation Manager Donna Jackson Zimmerman, Director of Development Services Ann Powell, City Planner Project Team Schrickel, Rollins and Associates, Inc. Linda Jordan, Project Manager Suzanne C. Sweek, RLA, ASLA, Project Coordinator Cathy Acuna, Planner Michael Kashuba, Planner Raymond Turco and Associates Raymond Turco Page 3 Page 4 Chapter 1 Introduction This plan has been prepared in compliance Standards developed for Cleburne and discussed with the guidelines for park and recreation in Chapter 3. “Our mission is to enhance the quality of life system master plans established by Texas Parks in Cleburne through people, places, programs & Wildlife (TP&W). TP&W provides a variety Preservation of the City’s natural environment is and partnerships.” - Cleburne Parks and of matching grant programs, and master plans discussed in Chapter 5. Chapter 6 focuses on Recreation Division Mission Statement consistent with their guidelines have a greater the priorities and recommendations of the plan as chance of qualifying for matching grants for the well as implementation strategies. Purpose implementation of projects. The purpose of the City of Cleburne Parks, Seven maps graphically express Cleburne’s Recreation and Open Space Master Plan is City’s Role in Providing Park and physical environment and the fi ndings of this to provide guidelines and strategies for future Recreation Services park planning process: acquisition and development of recreational The City’s Parks and Recreation Department of • Figure 1 - Location Map (Chapter 1) facilities for the City of Cleburne. This plan is Community Services is responsible for acquiring, • Figure 2 - Study Area (Chapter 1) based on recognized park planning principles developing and maintaining parks, with • Figure 3 - Existing Parks (Chapter 2) and standards, and refl ects input from the assistance from the Parks and Recreation Board • Figure 4 - Existing Schools (Chapter 2) citizens of Cleburne, City staff, Parks and and the City Council. The same department • Figure 5 - Neighborhood Park Service Zones Recreation Board and City Council. is also responsible for operating recreational (Chapter 3) programs. The City provides traditional park and • Figure 6 - Community Park Service Zones The City of Cleburne Parks, Recreation and recreational facilities, including eighteen parks, (Chapter 3) Open Space Master Plan focuses on the City’s one municipal golf course and one community/ • Figure 7 - Environmental and Open Space needs analysis through current, fi ve-year and recreation center. Preservation Plan (Chapter 5) ten-year needs and initiatives. It is a community- based document that will aid City staff and Plan Highlights Lake Pat Cleburne Master Plan City decision-makers in providing recreational The goals and objectives of this plan are In 2008, the City engaged Jacobs to prepare a facilities to the citizens of Cleburne and in summarized in this chapter. Chapter 2 describes master plan for Lake Pat Cleburne. The planning preserving the City’s fl oodplains and other open the City’s history and demographic profi les process included a guided tour of similar space areas in an orderly and economical way. and quantifi es the City’s existing park and facilities, photo documentation of existing This plan will address present and future needs recreational facilities. conditions, public input, determination of of the community and may also help the City in opportunities and constraints and establishment leveraging additional fi nancial resources. The results of the public input process are of priorities and recommendations. The Lake Pat summarized in Chapter 3. The Needs Cleburne Master Plan, approved by City Council Figure 1 - Location Map and Figure 2 -Study Assessment in Chapter 4 quantifi es Cleburne’s in June 2009, includes eight general areas for Area are located at the end of this chapter and existing and future parkland and recreational potential lake development as follows: Buddy show the location and limits of this study. facility needs based on public input and Stewart Park, Cultural History Area, Outdoor Learning Area, Hike and Bike Trail Loop, Retail Page 5 Activity Center, Golf Course, Passive Recreation • Develop additional recreational centers and Objectives: and Other. A copy of the Lake Pat Cleburne community centers in strategic locations • Work in concert with Cleburne Independent Master Plan and list of priorities is included in throughout the City. School District in the joint usage of school the Appendix. • Assure that park facilities are in compliance district land and athletic facilities. with Texas Accessibility Standards, and • Continue to strengthen relationship with Goals and Objectives playgrounds are in compliance with Cleburne Chamber of Commerce in the Goals and objectives are derived from the Consumer Product Safety Commission sponsorship of activities that promote identifi cation of basic issues and problems. (CPSC) guidelines. tourism, especially as they relate to the park Goals are value statements that identify desired • Pursue grants and other resources to provide system. conditions or destinations. They attempt to put supplemental funding for park improvement • Continue to strengthen relationship with into words community-wide impressions of what projects. Cleburne Chamber of Commerce in the is good or bad, safe or dangerous, desired or sponsorship of activities that promote undesired. Objectives identify what needs to Goal Two – Recreational Programming Cleburne as a desirable place to live, work be accomplished in order to produce a desired Promote a sense of community through a variety and play. condition. They highlight measurable actions of recreation programs. • Continue to strengthen and refi ne to be pursued. Together, goals and objectives relationships with local sports organizations provide a foundation for decision-making and Objectives: in the development of youth programs and action over the ten-year life of this plan. • Develop and implement a year-round activities. comprehensive recreational program for • Establish and nurture partnerships with Goal One – Parks and Gathering Places the Booker T. Washington Community & Johnson County, Master Gardeners and other Provide a variety of quality, year-round parks Recreation Center. area organizations and corporations. and recreation facilities and programs to meet • Develop and implement a recreational the recreational, health and well-being needs program at Cleburne Golf Links that of a diverse population with various levels of encourages play by all groups with an ability and skill. additional emphasis for women and children to play golf. Objectives: • Develop and implement a year-round • Retain professional resources to develop comprehensive adult recreational program at master plans for the development and/or Cleburne Senior Center and other locations redevelopment of the City’s parks. as appropriate. • Develop and implement an action plan to construct new recreational facilities in the Goal Three – Development of Programming City’s parks. Partnerships • Plan for the orderly replacement of aging Encourage cooperation and establish park and recreational infrastructure to ensure partnerships with the school district, that existing recreational opportunities are governmental agencies, area corporations and not lost. community organizations to assist with funding, • Where possible, provide the facilities development and maintenance of park and requested in the March 2008 Telephone recreational facilities. Survey. Page 6 Goal Four – Trails and Connections • Continue development of Winston Patrick Provide a system of trails within the City McGregor Park as the City’s premier of Cleburne with potential connections to botanical facility. neighboring communities and amenities. • Implement a tree planting program where appropriate within the City’ parks and open Objectives: spaces and rights-of-way. • Where feasible, establish pedestrian and • Administer construction and maintenance bikeway linkages and connections between activities consistent with Earthkind TM neighborhoods and open space areas, parks, practices and principles. school sites and downtown. Note: EarthKindTM is a designation • Encourage developers to install trails within developed by Texas A&M that utilizes residential developments that connect to the selection of plants that are appropriate; City’s trail system. conservative use of herbicides, pesticides • Provide public access to the open space and chemicals; conservation of water in fl oodplains and public utility corridors.