City of Coral Gables COMMUNITY RECREATION
Parks and Open Space Master Plan
Prepared By: Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin Lopez Rinehart, Inc. Falcon & Bueno
Updated by: Coral Gables Parks and Recreation City of Coral Gables COMMUNITY RECREATION
Mission Statement:
“To enhance the quality of life for residents and guests of all ages through recreational and instructional opportunities, facilities and events that create memorable life experiences.” Coral Gables Parks and Open Space Master Plan 3 INTRODUCTION
Coral Gables is a vibrant, budding city. Adjacent Methodology to the City of Miami, the area is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States. To begin the Master Plan, an analysis of the City The City is known internationally for its high of Coral Gables’ history, development patterns quality of life, including Mediterranean revival and recreation system was conducted to assist in architecture, tree-lined residential streets and a the identification of needs for the park and open thriving downtown shopping and office district. space system. Next, a comprehensive needs One of the City’s goals is to provide high quality analysis was conducted to examine the existing recreation and open space opportunities to recreation system and project recreation needs for residents. To this end, the City has been extremely park and open space facilities. The needs analysis active in the construction of passive and active included a visioning/needs identification process recreation facilities, including neighborhood parks, with staff, neighborhood workshops and community facilities and special use facilities, and community surveys to collect input from the acquisition of new park lands through the residents, and an analytical analysis based on Parknership Program. existing data and standards. From the data collected, a vision for the City’s future park and Glatting Jackson was commissioned in 1999 by open space system was developed. A detailed the City to develop a strategic Parks and Open action plan and funding strategies to implement Space Master Plan. The plan timeframe is 15 the vision were also developed. This report is a years (2015), and includes: summary of the activities conducted to develop Review of current recreation and open space the City of Coral Gables’ Parks and Open Space system Master Plan, and recommendations to implement Projection of future needs the plan. Recommended action plan
The objective of the Master Plan is to develop a long-range, visionary, yet practical parks and open space vision that: Has broad-based public consensus Identifies open space needs in “new” areas Identifies opportunities for linkages and partnerships Provides recreation opportunities for all residents Includes a comprehensive variety of facility types Creates opportunities for recreation programs Accommodates changing demographics Respects individual neighborhood needs Develops an implementation strategy Establishes priorities for land acquisition (incl. existing $2 million program) and park development
CORAL G ABLES P ARKS AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN 1 Coral Gables Parks and Open Space Master Plan 4
ANALYSIS OF EXISTING SYSTEMS Coral Gables Today – 75 Years of George Merrick’s Vision
History of the City