Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Master Plan
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october 2007 Parks, Recreation,lancaster Open Space and Cultural Master Plan from the director LANCASTER PARKS , R EC R E AT I O N , OPEN SPACE & C U LT U RA L MASTER PLAN We face both exciting challenges and Our research was developed through opportunities for the future of parks, community immersion days, a tele- open space, recreation and cultural phone survey, benchmarking with other programs in the City of Lancaster. The communities, focus groups, the exper- community demographics are changing tise of the Project Management Team as we continue to transition from our and the guidance of the Community rural roots to one of the fastest growing Advisory Committee. The City Council cities in the State of California. This and staff express our sincere apprecia- plan will serve as a “footprint” to guide tion to all citizens of Lancaster who the community in effectively address- contributed time and valuable input ing vital issues that will contribute to to the plan. The ongoing support of enhanced quality of life now and in the the Lancaster City Council and City future. Manager’s Office was invaluable to the success of this process and its end result. The Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Master Plan reflects strong The adopted policies, generated through participation from the residents in public input, will help steer Lancaster the research and policy development for the next 10-15 years and secure the process that will help us plan for the continuance of quality parks, recreation development of the smallest neigh- and cultural programs for our residents, borhood parks to the larger regional young and old. facilities that serve as economic drivers for the entire community. In addition, Let’s get started. it will provide programs that promote Lyle W. Norton, Director opportunities for all of us to lead active, Parks, Recreation and Arts Department healthier lives. acknowledgmentsLANCASTER PARKS , R EC R E AT I O N , OPEN SPACE & C U LT U RA L MASTER PLAN city council members community advisory committee Mayor Henry W. Hearns Randy Barnicki John Hultsman Vice Mayor Andy Visokey Wayne Berry Michael Lemos Council Member Jim Jeffra Jamaal Brown Amy Melich Council Member Ed Sileo Donna Carrell Ben Meyer Council Member Ronald D. Smith Bettye Davis Barry Munz Mary Faux John Perry city manager Mitch Frevert Ramon Ramirez Robert S. LaSala Jill Furtado Jorge Sincuir project management team Cindy Garza Rachael Thompson Peggy Gocke Mario Ware Lyle W. Norton Mary Tanner Gretchen Gutierrez Richard Wood Janice Smith Mike Rosa Trevor Hibbert Dan Miller Dave Ledbetter Kari Tapia Laurie Butts consultant team Michael Campbell Carlyle Workman MIG, INC. Bob Greene Ronda Perez Carolyn Verheyen, Principal-in-Charge Joan Chaplick, Project Manager lancaster department of parks, recreation and arts staff Nancy Kaiser, Park Finance Specialist Beth Altshuler, Project Associate focus group participants Lauren Schmitt, ASLA, AICP & interviewees Heather Kaplinger, GIS Specialist GODBE RESEARCH Jaime L. Barrah chapter 1 COMMUNITY PROFILE acknowledgmentsLANCASTER PARKS , R EC R E AT I O N , OPEN SPACE & C U LT U RA L MASTER PLAN tableLANCASTER of PARKS contents, R EC R E AT I O N , OPEN SPACE & C U LT U RA L MASTER PLAN introduction i 4: policies, recommendations & actions 77 1: vision, values & goals 1 Parks, Recreation, Open Space Vision 1 & Cultural Policies 77 Values 2 Park Standards 88 Goals 3 5: operations & maintenance 93 2: existing conditions 5 Core & Non-Core Functions 95 Community Profile 6 Factors Affecting Maintenance 97 Parks, Recreation & Arts Levels of Service 102 Department 12 Existing Park Land & Facilities 15 6: capital improvement plan 109 Existing Recreation & Arts New Development 110 Programs 20 Project Development 112 Strengths & Opportunities 28 7: financial plan 115 3: community needs 31 Park & Facility Maintenance 117 Key Themes 31 Capital Development 119 Methods 34 Funding 120 The People of Lancaster 37 Recommendations 124 Parklands & Open Space 38 Related Issues & Concerns 44 appendices under separate cover: Cultural & Recreation Facilities 51 A: Levels of Service Cultural & Recreation Programs 62 B: Facilities Inventory Summary 76 C: Community Needs aboutINTRODUCTION this plan The Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Master Plan was developed through a collaboration between staff, elected and agency officials and community members. The plan represents the first master plan developed for the Lancaster Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts. plan purpose The plan has three major purposes: • Present a long-term vision and goals for the Department and the community for the next 20 to 25 years; • Describe current and future needs, interests and commu- nity preferences for parks, recreation, arts programs and California Poppy facilities; and Festival • Develop a process and priorities for managing the Department’s commitments so that new requests and initiatives are considered in light of existing commitments. how the plan was developed The Plan was developed through the active participation of staff, community advi- sors, residents and elected officials through their participation in meetings, interviews, in-person and telephone surveys, and focus groups. More than 2,000 community members provided opinions and input that was used to develop this plan. The Project Management Team, composed of staff from the Parks, Recreation and Arts Department, representatives from the Planning, Public Works, and Redevelopment Departments, and MIG staff, met regularly. The resulting master plan reflects current priorities and interests and provides the Department with flexibility to be responsive to the changing needs of this growing community. A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) composed of approximately 25 individu- als representing organized groups and the general public played a significant role in PARKS, RECREATION, OPEN SPACE & CULTURAL MASTER PLAN | developing the vision and goals for the implementation plan. Using trend analyses, data derived This plan will serve as a framework for from the community outreach activi- future decision making, priority setting ties, and research on standards from and budgeting. The vision and goals comparable communities, the Project described in the plan are intended to Management Team worked with the describe a desired future for the com- CAC to develop the resultant plan and munity while providing the Department priorities. The group also reviewed the flexibility it needs to achieve the goals. several sources of information to The Director will develop an annual identify strategic issues and objectives. report to review implementation progress. The plan was presented to the Planning The report will provide an overall assess- Commission and City Council prior to ment of the effectiveness of the imple- its review and approval. mentation, and identify opportunities to improve the linkage between long-term relationship to other planning and execution. planning activities During the development of this plan, planning definitions the City of Lancaster was in the process The plan uses a number of key terms: of updating its General Plan and devel- oping a specific plan for the downtown Vson: The desired future state of the business district. The master plan was organization; the vision of success the developed in close coordination with organization strives to achieve. these efforts. A key staffperson from Msson: A description of why an orga- the planning department was an active nization exists—the key programs and participant in the development of the services the organization provides. master plan and also reviewed the docu- Values: The norms and qualities organi- ment for completeness and consistency zational members value. with the General Plan update. All three Goals: The broad areas for improvement planning efforts provided an opportunity aligned to match the programs and ser- for Lancaster residents to comment on vices provided by the Department. the critical role that parks, recreation, and arts play in their community’s qual- Polces: Guiding principles for the ity of life. Residents also shared their course of action the Department will expectations that the Department will be follow to achieve the goals of the plan. an important player in economic devel- Actons: The specific approaches that opment activities in the downtown and may be used to implement policy and throughout the city. achieve the Department’s goals. | CITY OF LANCASTER PARKS, RECREATION, OPEN SPACE & CULTURAL MASTER PLAN | chapterVISION one, VA LU ES & GOALS vision for the future Lancaster is: • A city whose residents actively use parks, recreation and arts facilities to maintain a high level of fitness and well-being • A location for premier sports and recreation facilities that accommodate children, youth, seniors and families • A thriving cultural and artistic center, with a downtown arts district that features space for art and musical performance, beautified streets and gathering spaces • A city where pathways and trails link neighborhoods with parklands, facilities, schools and other community destinations • A steward of its natural and historic resources • A city known as a great place to live, play and stay | CITY OF LANCASTER PARKS, RECREATION, OPEN SPACE & CULTURAL MASTER PLAN | The Lancaster Per- forming Arts Center serves a vital role in the community values EXCELLENCE: The Department maintains a standard of excellence in its facilities and programs ACCESSIBILITY: Programs and facilities are physically