Master Recreation Parks & Open Space Plan
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Jack son T o w n s h lan e P i ac p Sp n pe O d n a s, rk a P , n o ti a e r c e R , e v i s DDRAFTRAFT n e JJuneune 20062006 h e r p m o a pennsylvania corporation C Jackson Township Officials David J. Bracken - Chairman Bruce A. Baker - Vice Chairman A Robert L. Stephens ckn David Hirko - Manager This project ow Recreation Commission was fi nanced, in le Joseph Baxter - Chairman part, by a grant from the d Al Slippy - Vice Chairman Darin Brown g Community Conservation Alfred George e Partnership Program, under Al Pagano m the administration of the Tim Davis e Karl Smith Pennsylvania Department n John Lythgoe of Conservation and t Regina Markovich Natural Resources, Bureau s of Recreation and Project Study Committee Conservation. Joe Baxter Dave Bracken Delores Bracken Don Croft Tim Davis Clint Elias Alfred George Eugene Martin Will Michaels Al Pagano Frank J. Singel Al Slippy Karl D. Smith Bob Stephens Key Person Interviewees Rick Becker Pastor Rick Clark Diane Cooper Carlene Devlin Dave Hirko Linda Hott Jim Kielman Marty Kuhar Kathy Kupchella Al Martin Rose Meric Father Paul Robine Lynn Sanner Frank Singel John Rose Prepared by: Pashek Associates, 619 East Ohio Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 - phone: 412-321-6362 Executive Summary ............................................................................1 Chapter 1: Community Background ....................................7 T ab JACKSON TOWNSHIP PROFILE ............................................9 le Location .......................................................................................9 of Demographics ..............................................................................9 C Parks and Recreation Opportunities .............................................9 o n DEMOGRAPHICS ..................................................................10 Population ..............................................................................10 t e Population Projections .............................................................10 n Age Distribution ....................................................................10 Income ..................................................................................11 t s CULTURAL RESOURCES ...................................................11 Public Facilities .....................................................................12 Schools ..................................................................................12 Churches ...............................................................................12 Sewer and Water Service .........................................................12 Transportation .......................................................................12 Natural Features ....................................................................13 Chapter 2: Inventory and Assessment .....................19 ADMINISTRATION, MAINTENANCE, PROGRAMMING, AND FINANCES ...............................21 Administration ......................................................................21 Programming .........................................................................23 Finances ................................................................................24 RECREATION FACILITIES ................................................27 Hierarchy of Parks ..................................................................27 Regional Recreation Opportunities ..........................................29 Other Regional Facilities ........................................................32 Local Recreation Facilities .......................................................35 Local Parks and Recreation Facilities in Surrounding Communities .....................................................40 SPATIAL ANALYSIS ..............................................................47 COMPARISON OF JACKSON TOWNSHIP PARKS AND OPEN SPACE TO NRPA STANDARDS ............................51 Chapter 3: Public Participation ...................................53 PUBLIC INPUT ....................................................................55 Summary of Input ..................................................................55 Details of the Public Input ......................................................57 Chapter 4: Vision, Goals, Recommendations, and Implementation Strategies ..................................................................................69 VISION FOR THE FUTURE ...............................................................71 Vision Elements ......................................................................................71 GOALS ......................................................................................................73 Administration .......................................................................................73 Recreational Programming .......................................................................73 Jackson Township Parks ...........................................................................73 Recreation Facilities ................................................................................73 Trails, Greenways, and Open Space ..........................................................73 Strategies for Action .................................................................................73 ADMINISTRATION ..............................................................................75 Planning ................................................................................................76 Grant Sources and Funding Strategies ......................................................77 Other Funding Strategies .........................................................................79 Risk Management Plan ...........................................................................80 Ballfi eld and Pavilion Reservations ..........................................................80 Parks and Recreation Administrative Plan ...............................................80 Lease with the Chickaree Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club .......................82 Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society & National Recreation and Park Association ...............................................................................82 RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING .................................................83 JACKSON TOWNSHIP PARKS ..........................................................84 RECREATION FACILITIES .................................................................85 TRAILS, GREENWAYS, AND OPEN SPACE ...................................86 Jackson Township Comprehensive Recreation, Parks, and Open Space Plan The Plan is organized in the following manner. Do EXECUTIVE SUMMARY cum en CHAPTER 1: COMMUNITY BACKGROUND t This chapter gives an overview of Jackson Township’s history, government, and demographics as it relates to this plan. O r g CHAPTER 2: INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT a n This portion of the document provides a detailed inventory of i available recreation opportunities and administration as it relates z to recreation. Analysis of these items identifi es strengths and a defi ciencies in parks, recreation, and open space, and areas that t i need improvement in the parks and recreation system. o n CHAPTER 3: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Public input was a key component in the development of this Plan. This chapter describes the public participation process and summary results from each venue of participation. The input culminates in the identifi cation of vision elements and the development of a Vision for the future of parks and recreation. CHAPTER 4: VISION, GOALS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES This chapter portrays the vision for the future of parks and recreation in Jackson Township. Goals are identifi ed goals that will help the Township to work toward accomplishing the vision. It then draws upon the vision and goals along with the inventory, assessment, and public participation to outline recommendations and implementation strategies for the future of parks, recreations, and open space. APPENDIX: Additional Relevant Information PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Opportunities for fulfi lling leisure activities are integral to a quality lifestyle in any community. The purpose of this study is to provide an I analysis of Jackson Township’s current parks and recreation system, nt and to make recommendations for its future. In order to provide a ro complete view of current conditions and make recommendations d for the future, an inventory of existing recreation features was u conducted and public input was collected. c t i The planning process was based on answering the following key o questions: n WHERE ARE WE NOW? Answers to this question help to develop a clear understanding of existing conditions, and provides the foundation upon which the Recreation, Parks, and Open Space Plan is built. WHERE DO WE WANT TO BE? Public participation is a key component of the planning process. Through public meetings; distribution of a recreation questionnaire; conducting interviews with key community leaders; and collaboration with the project study committee, as well as the consultants professional analysis of existing conditions, recreation needs and goals have been identifi ed. This information was used to develop recommendations for the entire parks and recreation system. HOW DO WE GET THERE? With a fi rm understanding of existing resources and the community’s goals, detailed implementation strategies were developed. Responsive and realistic strategies provide the steps necessary to fulfi ll