1 PARKS, RECREATION, OPEN SPACE, & TRAILS PLAN UPDATE 2021 - 2030 Conserve. Connect. Enhance. Whitpain Township DRAFT May 14, 2021 Acknowledgements BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Michele Minnick, Chair Kimberly Koch, Vice-Chair Fred Conner, Secretary Jeff Campolongo, Treasurer Joyce Keller, Assistant Secretary PARK AND OPEN SPACE BOARD John Elliott - Chairman Angela Dougherty Sandy Feltes - Vice Chairman Susan M. Mudambi Nancy Thillet - Secretary Alternates: Marshall Bleefeld Chris Cimini Carol Christ Brian Heljenek Charles Christine Alex Simon PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Kurt Baker John Ferro Marshall Bleefield Brendan Flatow Jim Blanch Greg Klucharich Melissa Brown Chris Matozzo Angela Dougherty Melissa Murphy-Weber Stanley Dull Sean O’Donnell Tom Farzetta Mike Richino Sandhya Feltes CONTRIBUTING TOWNSHIP STAFF Roman M. Pronczak, Township Manager David Mrochko, Assistant Township Manager Kurt Baker, Parks and Recreation Director Mike Richino, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Courtney Meehan, Program Coordinator Tom Farzetta, Director of Public Works Lee Miller, Assistant Director of Public Works Jim Blanch, Township Engineer Greg Klucharich, Engineer Assistant and Sustainability Coordinator Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails Plan Update Table of Contents PLAN SUMMARY…………………………………………………………………….……….………… 1 INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………….………… 5 WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP PROFILE…………………………………………………….………… 14 CONSERVE………………………………………………………………………………….…………. 21 OPEN SPACE…………………………………………………………………….……….………… 22 STEWARDSHIP MODEL: ARMENTROUT PRESERVE………….……….……….. 36 CONNECT…………………………………………………………………………………….…………. 38 TRAILS……………………………………………………………………………………….……….. 39 PROGRAMS AND SERVICES…………………………………………….……….…………. 51 ENHANCE…………………………………………………………………………………….…………. 56 PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES……………………………..……….…………. 57 ORGANIZATION, MAINTENACE, AND PARTNERSHIPS…….……….………… 83 FINANCING……………………………………………………………………………….…………. 93 RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION PLAN…………………………..……….……….. 100 APPENDICES………………………………………………………………………..………………… 114 A. PUTTING CONSERVATIONINTO LOCAL LAND CODES. …………………. 115 B. ARMENTROUT STEWARDSHIP PLAN……………………………………………. 123 C. ARMENTROUT PLANT COMMUNITIES……………………………….………… 128 D. PLAN UPDATE PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY………………………….…………. 132 E. BEST CUSTOMER SURVEY………………………………………………….………… 179 MAPS PUBLIC AND PROTECTED LANDS……….……….……….……….……….…………… 25 CONSERVATRION OPPORTUNITIES……….……….……….……….……….……….. 29 TRAILS……….……….……….……….……….……….……….……….……….……….……… 42 TABLES 1.WHITPAIN MARKET SEGMENTS……….……….……….……….……….…………. 17 2. WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP PARKS AND PRESERVES……….……….…………… 23 3. OTHER TOWNSHIP OPEN SPACE……….……….……….……….……….……….. 23 4. WISSAHICKON TRAILS PRESERVES……….……….……….……….…………….. 24 5. SPORTS LEAGUES PARTICIPATION……….……….……….……….…………….. 55 6. PROGRAM PARTICIPATION METRICS 2019……….……….……….…………. 57 7. WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP PARKS……….……….……….……….……….………….. 67 8. WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP PARKS BY THE NUMBER……….……….………….. 68 8A. WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP RECREATION FACILITIES……….……….………… 71 9.PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SUSTAINABLE EQUIPMENT………….. 90 10. IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR OPEN SPACEB 2020 – 2025…………. 94 11. REVENUE SOURCES: 20 YEAR COMPARISON……….……….……………….. 95 12. PARKS AND RECREATION ADMININSTRATION BUDGET…………………. 95 13. PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS BUDGET……….…………………….. 96 14. PARKS AND RECREATION PARK MAINTENANCE BUDGET………………. 96 FIGURES 1. POPULATIONB PROJECTIONS……….……….……….……….……………………. 14 2. AGE DISTRIBUTION……….……….……….……….……….……….…………………. 15 3. RACIAL COMPOSITION……….……….……….……….……….…………………….. 15 The Whitpain Township Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Update 2021 -2030 is our blueprint for CONSERVING our open space and natural resources, ENHANCING our parks and recreation facilities along with their maintenance, and CONNECTING our community through trails, programs, and partnerships. Building Upon Success This Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Plan Update builds upon the achievements of Whitpain Township since its previous plan in 2003. This Update calls upon the Township to undertake the same kind of audacious planning and actions used over the last 20 years resulting in notable accomplishments such the acquisition of land for Prophecy Creek, Centre Square Park, and Mermaid Lake; major new park developments; the expansion of recreation programs and services; and the launching of a sustainability initiative. Moving forward with a strategy that recognizes parks, recreation, open space and trails as part of the Township’s overall infrastructure serving environmental, economic, health, and social needs is essential. Enhancing the quality of life and the Township’s resiliency and sustainability through parks and recreation in accordance with Best Management Practices and the expressed opinion of the public is the foundation of this plan. The Plan Update’s implementation will protect our natural resources and open space; shape the beauty and character of our landscape; expand access for all; improve health; increase revenues; mitigate the effects of severe weather and climate change; help build a strong sense of community; and provide opportunities for our residents to create memories that will last a lifetime. 1 1 Plan Update Summary Conserve. Connect. Enhance. Whitpain Township is consistently recognized as one of the best places to live in the Delaware Valley. A convenient location, highly desirable quality of life, excellent schools, customer-oriented township services, safety – and a top-notch parks and recreation system all contribute to the people’s desire to live, work and play here. Since the previous parks and recreation plan of 2003, Whitpain Township has made remarkable improvements community parks, recreation, open space, and trails. These improvements include: • Development of Prophecy Creek Park and the Manor House • Acquisition of 37 acres from St. Helena’s Church and development of Centre Square Park with creative financing arrangements resulting in the development of Centre Square Park at great cost savings to the Township with public private partnerships • Acquisition of Mermaid Lake, opening the site to the public, and master planning a new community park • Planning and development of 12.25 miles of trails • Revitalization of Wissahickon Park transitioning it from a brownfields site to a park • Partnering with the Boys & Girls Club to explore a new community recreation center near Wissahickon Park • Partnering with community sports organizations to maintain ballfields • Expansion of programs with a cost recovery rate double the national average All these improvements were in response to public interests, support for parks and recreation close to home, and partnerships with community based organizations. The Next Ten Years In updating the Parks and Recreation Plan: 2020, Whitpain Township is working to ensure that all of these investments are protected and continue to serve the residents in the most beneficial ways possible. This Plan Update establishes a clear and strategic direction to guide elected and appointed officials, township management and staff, boards, commissions and committees in their efforts to ensure the community’s sustainability by enhancing parks and recreation facilities, programs and services. The Plan Update is strategic in positioning Whitpain Township as a leader in parks, recreation, and community planning by building the vision around sustainability. The plan calls for the Parks and Recreation Department to become a facilitator of environmental policies and actions that will lead to conservation practices resulting in environmental, financial, and social sustainability. The Plan Update provides strategic recommendations to: Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails Plan Update 2 2 • Conserve open space and natural resources through the preservation of open space along with effective maintenance and stewardship. • Connect the residents to nature, community destinations, and each other through programming, increasing public awareness, and establishing a network of safe places to walk and bicycle. • Enhance parks, recreation facilities, and trails with improvements supported by elevated design and management practices. Moving Forward with the Community The strategy is built upon the opinions of residents and community organizations. The planning process included a Plan Advisory Committee, interviews, work sessions with the Township’s management and staff, and two surveys. The online surveys of the public and the Parks and Recreation Department’s “Best Customers” resulted in direct input from 2,778 residents. While some households may have had multiple respondents, these surveys engaged about 37 percent of the households. This is significant input in contrast to traditional public meetings in which a handful number of residents participate. Residents indicated the following: • Top three priorities are: an indoor recreation center, conservation of open space, and making Mermaid Lake a public park. • The most preferred improvements include safe sidewalk connections, open space and natural areas, an indoor recreation facility and a bicycle network. • Most preferred activities in parks are walking/running, enjoying nature, and attending special events. • Customer service from the Parks and Recreation Department rates as five stars. • Residents rate programs as good to excellent and they would like these expanded especially youth programs, adult fitness, and special events. Building Upon Success The Township implemented the majority of recommendations from the previous plan, demonstrating