Centre Region Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan
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Comprehensive Recreation, Parks, and Open Space Plan Acknowledgements The Centre Region Council of Governments (COG) Steering Committee for the Comprehensive Recreation, Parks, and Open Space Plan consisted of nine community members who provided guidance on overall Plan direction, themes, and stakeholder and public outreach methods. Members represented the municipalities, State College Area School Board, Centre Region Parks and Recreation Authority, and Centre Region Parks and Recreation Agency (CRPR) staff. Thank you to the Steering Committee for its dedicated leadership. Bruce Lord, Chair, Harris Township . Chris Hurley, Centre Region Parks and Recreation Authority . Eric Bernier, Vice Chair, College Township . Hyeseon Kim, Halfmoon Township . Gretchen Brandt, State College Area . Pam Salokangas, Centre Region Parks School Board and Recreation Agency . Tom Daubert, State College Borough . Susan Wheeler, Patton Township . Laura Dininni, Ferguson Township A special thank you to James Steff, COG Executive Director, and Amber Merrell, CRPR Recreation Services Manager, for their help with coordination of this project, including preparing meeting agendas, taking meeting minutes, and implementing the online survey. Thank you to the Penn State University students from HDNRE 590 and Dr. Alan Graefe for their work on the survey questions and design as well as collecting responses, gathering data, and completing the analysis. More than 1,700 Centre Region residents took advantage of opportunities to weigh in on this Plan, through participation in the public meetings, key stakeholder interviews, on-line survey, and random sample survey. The input has been invaluable in the development of this Plan. CRPR looks forward to seeing all of you in the region’s parks, at the swimming pools and nature center, at recreation programs, and on the trails! January 2020 Preparation of this Plan was partially funded by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnership Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. i Comprehensive Recreation, Parks, and Open Space Plan Table of Contents Executive Summary The Plan Purpose and Planning Process .................................................. Executive Summary-1 What We Heard ....................................................................................... Executive Summary-2 Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles ................................................... Executive Summary-4 Top Issues to Address .............................................................................. Executive Summary-5 Core Themes and Recommendations ..................................................... Executive Summary-6 Making the Vision a Reality ................................................................... Executive Summary-10 Chapter 1 – Plan Introduction The Benefits of Parks and Recreation ................................................................................... 1-1 The Priorities for Parks and Recreation: NRPA’s Three Pillars .............................................. 1-2 Plan Purpose .......................................................................................................................... 1-3 Plan Approach ........................................................................................................................ 1-4 Success Factors ...................................................................................................................... 1-6 Top Issues for the Plan to Address ........................................................................................ 1-7 Plan Core Themes .................................................................................................................. 1-7 Mission, Vision, Guiding Principles, and Operating Objectives .......................................... 1-10 Chapter 2 – Public Participation Steering Committee ............................................................................................................... 2-1 Key Person Interviews ........................................................................................................... 2-1 Public Meetings ..................................................................................................................... 2-1 Online Opinion Survey and Random Sample Mailed Survey ................................................ 2-2 Public Participation Findings .................................................................................................. 2-2 Chapter 3 – Parks, Recreation Facilities & Trails Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 3-1 Parks ....................................................................................................................................... 3-1 Park Classification .................................................................................................................. 3-4 Parkland ................................................................................................................................. 3-7 Trails and Bikeways .............................................................................................................. 3-14 Parks, Recreation Facilities & Trails Strengths and Challenges ........................................... 3-15 Chapter 4 – Recreation Programming Centre Region Parks and Recreation Agency ........................................................................ 4-1 Inventory of Recreation Programs and Providers ............................................................... 4-10 Recreation Programming Strengths and Challenges .......................................................... 4-25 ii Chapter 5 – Parks and Recreation Administration, Financing & Maintenance Governance ............................................................................................................................ 5-1 Parks and Recreation Management and Organizational Structure ...................................... 5-4 Parks and Recreation Marketing and Promotion .................................................................. 5-7 Parks and Recreation Financing ............................................................................................ 5-8 Parks and Recreation Facility Maintenance ........................................................................ 5-12 Parks and Recreation Administration, Financing & Maintenance Strengths and Challenges ... 5-14 Chapter 6 – Recommendations Core Theme 1 – Take Care of What We Have ....................................................................... 6-1 Core Theme 2 – Diversify Funding Strategies ....................................................................... 6-9 Core Theme 3 – Strengthen and Enhance Recreation Program Opportunities ................. 6-11 Core Theme 4 – Promote Parks and Recreation Opportunities ......................................... 6-15 Core Theme 5 – Address Indoor Recreation Facility and Program Space Needs ............... 6-18 Core Theme 6 – Address Outdoor Recreation Facility Needs ............................................. 6-19 Core Theme 7 – Expand Environmental Sustainability Opportunities ............................... 6-20 Core Theme 8 – Design Parks that Promote Resident Health, Happiness and Well-Being..... 6-21 Core Theme 9 – Strengthen Resident Involvement ...................................................................... 6-22 Core Theme 10 – Eliminate the Governance Structure Confusion ............................................. 6-23 Core Theme 11 – Enhance and Formulate Strong and Broad Partnerships .............................. 6-25 Core Theme 12 – Expand and Connect the Trail Network ........................................................... 6-26 Core Theme 13 – Assess Level of Staffing ...................................................................................... 6-27 Core Theme 14 – Make Efficient and Effective Use of Financial Resources .............................. 6-28 Core Theme 15 – Develop Benchmark Data ................................................................................. 6-28 Making the Vision a Reality.............................................................................................................. 6-29 Chapter 7 – Action Plan Core Theme 1 – Take Care of What We Have ....................................................................... 7-1 Core Theme 2 – Diversify Funding Strategies ....................................................................... 7-2 Core Theme 3 – Strengthen and Enhance Recreation Program Opportunities ................... 7-3 Core Theme 4 – Promote Parks and Recreation Opportunities ........................................... 7-5 Core Theme 5 – Address Indoor Recreation Facility and Program Space Needs ................. 7-6 Core Theme 6 – Address Outdoor Recreation Facility Needs ............................................... 7-6 Core Theme 7 – Expand Environmental Sustainability Opportunities ................................. 7-6 Core Theme 8 – Design Parks that Promote Resident Health, Happiness and Well-Being....... 7-7 Core Theme 9 – Strengthen Resident Involvement ........................................................................ 7-7 Core Theme 10 – Eliminate the Governance Structure Confusion ............................................... 7-7 Core Theme 11