REACHING OUT TO SERVE AND CONNECT THE COMMUNITY 2015 COMPREHENSIVE RECREATION & PARK MASTER PLAN Adopted by Pitt County Board of Commissioners March 16, 2015 0 2015 COMPREHENSIVE RECREATION AND PARK MASTER PLAN FOR PITT COUNTY PITT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Glen Webb, Chairman Beth B. Ward, Vice Chairman Tom Coulson Charles Farley Jimmy Garris David Hammond Melvin C. McLawhorn Mark W. Owens, Jr. Mary Perkins-Williams COUNTY MANAGER D. Scott Elliott PITT COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS & RECREATION Rita Roy, Director Diane Barnes Chip Davis Jennifer Lanier-Coward Lisa Swing PITT COUNTY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT James Rhodes, Director Tracy Cash Eric Gooby Eli Johnson Alice Keene Freddie Wyrsch 1 2015 Comprehensive Recreation & Park Master Plan for Pitt County Table of Contents Page LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................... 17 SECTION ONE: INTRODUCTION........................................................................................ 18 Pitt County Schools and Municipalities Map ........................................................................... 19 SECTION TWO: PURPOSE, GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND SCOPE .............................. 20 Statement of Purpose ................................................................................................................ 20 Goals ..........................................................................................................................................20 Objectives ..................................................................................................................................20 Scope of Plan and Planning Area ..............................................................................................20 SECTION THREE: HISTORY AND BACKGROUND ......................................................... 22 History of Pitt County Communicty Schools and Recreation ...................................................22 Awards and Distinctions ............................................................................................................24 PCCSR’s Impact on Health and Wellness for the Community .................................................24 PCCSR’s Impact on the Economy .............................................................................................28 SECTION FOUR: INVENTORY ANALYSIS ....................................................................... 30 Recreation Program and Park Facility Inventory ......................................................................30 Joint Use of School Facilities ....................................................................................................31 Community Schools and Recreation Capital Outlay Program ..............................................31 Recreation Program Management Funds ...............................................................................31 Facilities Utilized for PCCSR Programs ...............................................................................32 Diversity of Public Recreation Opportunities ............................................................................32 Condition of County Parks ........................................................................................................35 Maintenance ..........................................................................................................................35 Vandalism ..............................................................................................................................35 User Impact on Vegetation ....................................................................................................36 Soil Limitations ......................................................................................................................36 2 2015 Comprehensive Recreation & Park Master Plan for Pitt County Table of Contents (Cont.) Page Quasi-Public Recreation Facilities ............................................................................................38 Private Commercial Recreation Facilities .................................................................................38 Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities ................................................................................41 Comparisons with State Standards and Other Counties ............................................................41 Area Standards ......................................................................................................................42 Comparisons of Pitt County Facilities with Counties of Similar Populations .......................46 Public Recreation Programs ......................................................................................................48 Special Populations Programs ..............................................................................................48 Youth Programs .....................................................................................................................48 Youth Summer Programs .......................................................................................................50 Adult Programs ......................................................................................................................52 Older Adult Programs ...........................................................................................................54 Public Recreation Programs Offered in Incorporated Areas .....................................................58 SECTION FIVE: TRENDS AFFECTING RECREATION AND PARKS........................... 59 Environmental Conditions and Trends ......................................................................................59 Societal Trends ..........................................................................................................................59 Governmental Trends ............................................................................................................53 The American Population ......................................................................................................59 The Changing Family ............................................................................................................60 Rising Crime ..........................................................................................................................60 Wellness .................................................................................................................................60 Childhood and Nature ...........................................................................................................60 Fitness Equipment and Technology .......................................................................................60 Trends Conclusion .................................................................................................................61 Population, Residential and Industry Growth Analysis .............................................................61 Projected Development ..........................................................................................................62 Projected Household Growth ................................................................................................63 3 2015 Comprehensive Recreation & Park Master Plan for Pitt County Table of Contents (Cont.) Page Median Age and Distribution ................................................................................................63 Gender ...................................................................................................................................64 Race .......................................................................................................................................64 Disability Status .....................................................................................................................65 Income ....................................................................................................................................65 Household Types ....................................................................................................................65 Education ...............................................................................................................................66 Industry Growth .....................................................................................................................67 The Health Industry in Pitt County ................................................................................68 The Tourism Industry in Pitt County .....................................................................................68 Health Analysis ..........................................................................................................................68 Teen Pregnancies ...................................................................................................................70 Crime Analysis ..........................................................................................................................70 Crime and Violence in Schools ..............................................................................................70