CPA-2002-1-1 CITY OF OCOEE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS Page TABLE OF CONTENTS......................................................................................................... 6-i LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................................6-iii LIST OF FIGURES..............................................................................................................6-iv I. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... 6-1 II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION................................................................................. 6-2 A. Community Profile.......................................................................................... 6-2 B. Economy ....................................................................................................... 6-2 C. Quality of Life ................................................................................................ 6-2 D. Transportation............................................................................................... 6-3 III. ANALYSIS OF EXISTING RECREATION FACILITIES................................................... 6-3 A. Level of Service ............................................................................................. 6-3 B. Parks and Open Space Guidelines ................................................................... 6-4 C. Analysis of Park Types.................................................................................... 6-5 D. Indoor Recreation Facilities ............................................................................ 6-8 E. Activity Based Recreation Guidelines ............................................................. 6-11 F. Additional Recreation Facilities ...................................................................... 6-12 IV. PROJECTED GROWTH .......................................................................................... 6-12 A. Background ................................................................................................. 6-12 B. Projection Methodology ................................................................................ 6-13 C. Level of Service ........................................................................................... 6-14 D. Projections .................................................................................................. 6-15 6-i CPA-2002-1-1 V. ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS ...................................................................................... 6-16 A. Overview ..................................................................................................... 6-16 B. Neighborhood Service Area Analysis.............................................................. 6-16 C. Park and Facility Analysis.............................................................................. 6-25 D. Overall Park Upgrades.................................................................................. 6-27 E. Recreation Development Standards............................................................... 6-27 VI. PRIORITIES ........................................................................................................ 6-28 VII. FUNDING STRATEGIES......................................................................................... 6-29 A. Introduction................................................................................................. 6-29 B. Existing Non-Grant Local Revenue Sources .................................................... 6-29 C. City Revenue Sources................................................................................... 6-29 D. Florida Department of Environmental Protection ............................................ 6-30 VIII. CONCLUSIONS..................................................................................................... 6-31 IX. GOLS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES....................................................................... 6-32 6-ii CPA-2002-1-1 CITY OF OCOEE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT LIST OF TABLES Page 1. Ocoee Parks and Open Space Population Guidelines ................................................ 6-4 2. Inventory of Existing Recreation Facilities................................................................ 6-9 3. Activity Based Recreation Guidelines ..................................................................... 6-11 4. Population and Employment Data in JPA, 1980-1997 ............................................. 6-13 5. Projected Population in JPA, 1997-2020 ................................................................ 6-14 6. Acreage Needed to Maintain Adopted LOS............................................................. 6-14 7. Current and Future Recreation Facility Needs ........................................................ 6-26 8. Projected Park and Open Space Deficiencies by 2020............................................. 6-27 6-iii CPA-2002-1-1 CITY OF OCOEE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT LIST OF FIGURES Page 18. City and Area Parks .............................................................................................. 6-39 19. Neighborhood Service Areas ................................................................................. 6-40 6-iv RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT CPA-2002-1-1 I. INTRODUCTION The Ocoee Parks and Open Space Master Plan (Master Plan) was adopted by the City Commission in September 2001 and served as the foundation for the update and revision to this Element of the Ocoee Comprehensive Plan. The data and analysis in this Element is the same as that contained in the Master Plan, and it has been formatted to follow a similar structure as that of the other Elements in the Ocoee Comprehensive Plan. The Master Plan focuses on the long-range recreational land area and equipment needs of Ocoee residents, it contains an inventory of existing facilities and long-range population projections for the entire Ocoee-Orange County Joint Planning Area, not just the City limits, to create a comprehensive system of public and private site for recreation. Area-wide population estimates have been used to avoid unintended duplications in the provision of parks and to contemplate the impact of future annexations. The Master Plan identifies implementation strategies and prioritizes projects based upon the feasibility and desirability of individual improvements. The Ocoee Parks and Open Space Master Plan is consistent with the data and analysis requirements of Chapter 163.3177(6)(e), Florida Statutes. Orange County, Florida has become one of the most attractive areas in the United States for those who seek warmth, sunshine, employment, and abundant recreational opportunities. As one of Orange County's preferred municipalities, the City of Ocoee is experiencing rapid growth and development. This combination of population growth and rapid land development has increased park demand at the same time that vacant land is being developed quickly. With Ocoee’s accelerated growth, the demand for more and improved recreation facilities and the need to protect valuable open space resources has become a principal concern among City officials and residents alike. Accordingly, this Element identifies and refines future parks and open space projects and identifies potential funding sources. It should be noted, however, that no recreational programs, activities, or goals are identified in this Element. Instead, this document discusses the land, equipment, and facilities requirements needed to facilitate recreation programs. There are several reasons for this approach. First, recreation activities and programs frequently change to accommodate shifts in recreational trends and the fluctuating characteristics of the population (e.g., age, activity levels, family size, etc.). Second, new program needs may be identified later that did not exist when the Master Plan was completed or this Element updated. Lastly, recreation programming costs are generally small and do not involve large capital investments. Accordingly, the day-to-day management and administration of recreational programs are the responsibility of the Recreation Director, Recreation Advisory Board, City Manager, and City Commission. While specific recreation programs are outside of the scope of this document, existing program demand has been considered in the analysis of existing and proposed parks and open space projects. 6-1 RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT CPA-2002-1-1 II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION A. Community Profile Ocoee is located in Central Florida about ten miles west of downtown Orlando. It is in the heart of West Orange County, adjoining the communities of Apopka, Windermere, and Winter Garden. Ocoee’s population has grown tremendously from a population of 7,803 in 1980 to its current population of 24,391 as of April 1, 2000.1 Much of the population growth has been attributed to easy access to downtown Orlando, Walt Disney World, and Florida’s Turnpike. Ocoee’s recent growth rate has resulted in a population increase of 91% between 1990 and 2000. Over the same period. Orange County’s growth rate was 32%, Winter Garden’s was 47%, and Apopka’s was 97%. Although Ocoee is relatively small in comparison to Orlando, accelerated growth is anticipated over the next five to ten years due to continuing national and regional growth patterns and