2.4 PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT DRAFT EXISTING CONDITIONS, CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES REPORT 2.4 PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT The Parks and Open Space Element details how open space, recreational areas and natural resource areas will be preserved and managed. 2.4.1 EXISTING CONDITIONS The 2002 Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan addresses Parks and Open Space in two separate elements. It is proposed that these two elements be combined under one comprehensive Parks and Open Space Element as part of the General Plan Update. Therefore, the following is a brief overview of both the Parks and Open space elements of the 2002 Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan. Parks Parks are generally categorized as either “local” or “regional” in the 2002 Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan. Local parks generally range from 1 to 2.5 acres for mini-parks, 5- 10 acres for neighborhood parks, and approximately 30 acres for community parks. Regional parks, on the other hand, can range anywhere from 20 to 1,000 acres and may serve a population living within a one–hour drive (about 50 miles). Historically, park facilities in the planning area have been provided by the City of Bakersfield, Kern County, the North of the River Recreation and Park District (NORRPD), Bear Mountain Recreation and Park District, school districts, colleges, and, most recently, private developers. Regional parks have been the responsibility of Kern County. The City of Bakersfield and Kern County operate regional, community and neighborhood parks and trails, along with community centers and other recreational facilities. The park system under the jurisdiction of the City of Bakersfield includes more than 50 parks, recreation facilities and trails such as the Kern River Parkway (see Figure 2.4.1-1 Existing Parks in Metropolitan Bakersfield, below, and Table 2.4.1-1 Existing Parks in Metropolitan Bakersfield, located at the end of this chapter, for a listing of all parks in the Metropolitan Bakersfield area). The NORRPD operates numerous park facilities, as well as year–round recreational programs, and encompasses just under one-quarter of the Metropolitan Bakersfield planning area. Kern County is currently preparing a Master Plan to address the improvement and management of parks in the unincorporated area. Open Space The 2002 Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan identifies “open space” as any lands that serve the following purpose: Preserve natural resources, Manage production of resources, Provide outdoor recreation, or, Serve public health and safety 2.4-1 APRIL 2009 2.4 PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT DRAFT EXISTING CONDITIONS, CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES REPORT FIGURE 2.4.1-1 EXISTING PARKS APRIL 2009 2.4-2 2.4 PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT DRAFT EXISTING CONDITIONS, CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES REPORT Under this broad definition, the topic of open space is addressed in several General Plan elements, including Land Use, Circulation, Conservation, Parks and Safety. The Open Space Element deals only with the following open space issues, which are not covered in other elements: Trails Public parks 2.4.2 ISSUES In order to make better use of existing parks and open space features as well as create a more cohesive system of open space amenities, the General Plan’s goals and policies of the General Plan should be clear and concise. Specific issues have been identified that inhibit implementation of the Parks and Open Space goals for the Metropolitan Bakersfield area and need to be further addressed by the General Plan Update. These issues were derived from public input received through the May 2007 Phase I Town Hall Meetings and various surveys conducted in conjunction with the KernCOG Regional Blueprint process and from input received through discussions with City of Bakersfield and Kern County staff. Comments received were consolidated into the following issues, which are discussed in this section: Parks and Open Space Trails An evaluation of each issue was conducted and specific challenges were identified. These challenges must be addressed through the General Plan Update process to better achieve the City’s and County’s parks and open space goals. Recommendations for changes to the General Plan are provided at the end of this section. Parks and Open Space The 2002 Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan established the “Resources” concept of development, which emphasizes the placement of development to reflect the planning area’s many natural and visual resources: foothills, rivers, canals and other water features. One component of the Resources concept is to encourage linkages to these unique resources to urban areas. In general, the Metropolitan area lacks a cohesive system of open space amenities, with many of the area’s major amenities including the Kern River, bluffs and foothills being under-utilized as open space resources. Compared to widely used national standards, the Metropolitan Bakersfield area has a shortage of local parks. Compared to the 2002 Metropolitan Bakersfield park standards, neighborhood parks fall short; however, overall park and recreational spaces are in excess of the standard (see Table 2.4.2-1 2002 Metropolitan Bakersfield Existing Park Standards Comparison). 2.4-3 APRIL 2009 2.4 PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT DRAFT EXISTING CONDITIONS, CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES REPORT TABLE 2.4.2-1 2002 METROPOLITAN BAKERSFIELD EXISTING PARK STANDARDS COMPARISON Local Park Type Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan Standard National Standard Area (acres per 1,000 (acres per 1,000 (acres per 1,000 residents) residents) residents) Mini-parks .0663 NA .25-.5 Neighborhood 1.88 2.5 1-2 Parks Community Parks 4.94 NA 5-8 Regional Parks 4.7 NA 100 acre minimum2 Park and Recreational 11.5863 4.0 NA Space1 1Park and recreational space includes mini-parks, neighborhood parks, community parks and regional parks. 2The national park standard for regional parks is not based on an acreage/persons standard but a minimum acreage. An increase in the number of parks and a more cohesive open space system were guiding principles of the 2002 Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan. Metropolitan Bakersfield residents also identified the need for additional parks and open space, particularly in northeast Bakersfield, at the May 2007 public workshops. After the 2002 General Plan, the City of Bakersfield updated its Recreation and Parks Master Plan in 2007 which identified needed park facilities and recreation programs to serve projected growth in the City as identified in the General Plan. Areas in the County located beyond the City of Bakersfield’s Sphere of Influence are addressed in the County Parks and Recreation Master Plan and North of the River Recreation and Park District Plan. How Does The General Plan Currently Address Parks And Open Space? In addition to containing policies that provide development standards for parks in Metropolitan Bakersfield, the General Plan Parks Element and Open Space Element contains the following policies which set more specific direction and guide actions for development of parks and open space. The policies identified are not an exhaustive list of applicable policies. Rather, they are representative of the existing policies contained in the 2002 Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan in relation to parks and open space. The General Plan also includes a number of implementation measures that provide further direction on the necessary actions to implement policies. See the 2002 Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan for a complete list of existing General Plan policies and implementation measures. Parks Policy 2: Allow the formation of special park districts which provide higher park standards than the minimum stated in Policy 1 (I-1). APRIL 2009 2.4-4 2.4 PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT DRAFT EXISTING CONDITIONS, CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES REPORT Parks Policy 3: Require developers to dedicate land, provide improvements and/or in-lieu fees to serve the needs of the population in newly developing areas (I-1). Parks Policy 4: Require developers of new subdivisions to show and adhere to park locations (depicted on the Land Use Element). Park locations identified in master plans approved prior to adoption of this general plan are reflected in this plan. Variations may be allowed based on certain constraints. See Policy 6 (I-9). Parks Policy 7: Provide mini-parks in developed residential areas where neighborhood standards are not met and where it is impossible to acquire sufficient acreage for neighborhood facilities. Use the same funding mechanisms indicated in Policy 6 (I-1). Parks Policy 9: Allow neighborhood park requirements to be met by community parks when community parks are situated within or at the boundaries of neighborhoods and when they provide equivalent facilities (I-9). Parks Policy 14: Plan for and expand regional recreation opportunity in connection with the development and conservation of appropriate areas along the Kern River (I-4, I-8). Parks Policy 25: Promote the preservation of existing parks and encourage the development of other facilities near downtown (I-8). Parks Policy 34: Encourage coordination in the acquisition, development and use of parks and schools to avoid duplication of facilities and provide economic use of public funds (I-3, I-5). Parks Policy 43: Encourage the development of private and commercial recreation facilities under lease or concession agreements where such facilities are consistent with planned development and offer expanded recreation opportunities to the public (I-2). Parks Policy 46: Permit major traffic generating activities on community park sites only (I- 3). Parks Policy 47: Community parks should be located adjacent to or near arterials. Neighborhood parks should be located adjacent to collector or local streets, rather than arterial streets (I-1, I-3). (CC 11/6/91) 2.4-5 APRIL 2009 2.4 PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT DRAFT EXISTING CONDITIONS, CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES REPORT Parks Policy 49: Design vegetation, earth form and activity areas to buffer noise, light, etc., from adjacent residents (I-3).