Indiana CountyPennsylvania Comprehensive Recreation, Park, and Open Space Plan May 2006 Executive Summary Acknowledgments The contributions of the following agencies, groups, and individuals were vital to the successful development of this Comprehensive Recreation, Park, and Open Space Plan. They are commended for their interest in the project and the input they provided throughout the planning process. CURRENT INDIANA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KEY PERSON INTERVIEWEES Rodney D. Ruddock, Chairman Louise Bem Bernie Smith Jack Benedict David Frick Ken Bisbee Rev. Allan Campbell STUDY COMMITTEE Leann Chaney Ed Clark Steve Graff, Todd Bird Club Ron Crytzer Linda Gwinn, Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, C & I Trail Council Dick Gigliotti Delbert Highlands, Indiana County Parks and Trails Advisory Board John Glass Rich Seevers, Indiana Business District Roger Good Jan Shellenbarger, Friends of the Parks John (Jack) Hammerle John Somonick, Interested Resident Tom Harley Judy Tomayko, Clymer Parks and Recreation Sherene Hess LeeRoy Vatter, ICSCU Jerry Kozusko Tony Destefano, Burrell Township James Lafontaine Leslie Henry, Burrell Township Garry Leach Laurie Lafontaine, Cambria and Indiana Trail Council Beth Marshall Mike Quinn, Conemaugh Valley Conservancy Tom Miller Don Peffer, Indiana Area Recreation and Parks Commission Dick Oberlin Byron Stauffer, Indiana County Office of Planning and Jerry Pickering Development George Sennot George Urban, Indiana County Office of Planning and Ryan Smith Development Rocky Sprowls Mike Kuzemchak, Indiana County Parks and Trails George Sulkosky Louis Garzarelli, Indiana University of Pennsylvania Whit Watts Patty White Becky Wilson Ginny Winters This project was financed, in part, by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnership Program, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. I NDIANA COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE RECREATION, PARK, AND OPEN SPACE PLAN Introduction Document Organization EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Summary highlights the key findings of the inventory, results of the public participation process, and recommendations for the future of recreation, parks, and open space in the County. INTRODUCTION This section provides an overview of Indiana County and its residents. This community background provides a context for the development of this Plan. CHAPTER 1: INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT This Chapter provides an inventory and assessment of the recreational opportunities, parks, and open spaces in the County. CHAPTER 2: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Public input was a key component in the development of this Plan. This chapter describes the public participation process and summarizes the results of each venue of participation. CHAPTER 3: VISION AND GOALS FOR THE FUTURE, RECOMMENDATIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION The public participation process culminated in the Vision and Goals for the future of recreation, parks, and open space, which will guide future efforts. Along with the Vision and Goals, the inventory, assessment, and public participation components are utilized to outline recommendations for the future of recreation, parks, and open space in the County. I NDIANA COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE RECREATION, PARK, AND OPEN SPACE PLAN Executive Summary Table of Contents Executive Summary . 1 Chapter 2: Public Participation . 99 Public Input Summary . 100 Introduction . 9 Recreation Survey . 108 Key Person Interviews . 113 Benefits of Parks and Recreation . 10 How to Use This Plan . 11 Chapter 3: Vision and Goals for the Future, Rec Review of Existing Planning Documents . 12 commendation and Implementation . 123 Chapter 1: Inventory and Assessment . 17 Strengthen Cooperation . 126 Comprehensive Park and Recreation System. 127 Greenways and Trails. 131 Parks and Recreation Serving Indiana County Potential Greenways in Indiana County . 132 Residents. 19 Maintain the Indiana County Parks and Hierarchy of Parks. 20 Trails System . 139 Section 1: Indiana County Parks and Recreation . 25 Variety of Funding Opportunities. 147 Indiana County Parks and Trails . 27 Opportunities for Recreational and Natural Based County Parks Classification Criteria . 28 Tourism. 149 County Parks Spatial Analysis . 47 Active, Healthy Lifestyles . 150 Administration. 51 Financing. 59 Section 2: Regional and Local Parks and Recreation . .67 Regional Recreational Opportunities Outside Indiana County . 69 Regional Recreation Facilities within Indiana County . 70 Local Recreation and Open Space Opportunities. 72 Analysis of Local Parks. 82 Recreational Programming. 84 Open Space, Greenways, and Trails . 89 Pennsylvania Greenways. 90 Open Space . 91 I NDIANA COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE RECREATION, PARK, AND OPEN SPACE PLAN Executive Summary Executive Summary Recognizing the importance of parks and recreation to the County, this Comprehensive Recreation and Parks Plan was initiated. The process used to develop this Plan included extensive public input, detailed inventory and assessment, and the development of recommendations for the future of parks and recreation in Indiana County. When planning for the future of parks and recreation in Indiana County, it is important to develop an understanding of the County as a whole. Information on demographics and community resources gathered through the County Comprehensive Planning process provided a context within which this Comprehensive Recreation and Parks Plan was generated. A familiarity with this information ensures the development of a plan that is realistic, sensitive to current issues, and tailored to this unique County. Input received through the public participation process was an important asset as viable recommendations for the future of parks and recreation were Parks and developed. The public input process included recreation play public meetings, close work with a project a critical role study committee, distribution of a recreation in providing a questionnaire, and key person interviews. quality of life The public participation process culminated that attracts in the development of Vision and Goals for residents, the Future of Parks and Recreation in Indiana businesses, County, which can be found on page 3. and economic activities to The inventory of recreation facilities included all County and Municipal recreation areas within the County. All inventories included notation of communities. number of facilities and their size and condition. Additionally, the current administration of the parks and recreation system was evaluated. The information was collected to create an overview of existing park and recreation conditions in the County. Professional assessment of the inventories and comparisons to current trends were completed. This Study recognizes the tremendous importance of greenways and open space in Indiana County and addresses various components of each. The County’s Comprehensive Plan, Natural Area’s Inventory, and Greenways and Trail Plan will address this in much greater detail. Drawing upon the public participation, inventory, and assessment, recommendations for the future of recreation and parks were developed. Some of the key recommendations are summarized following the Vision and Goals. Refer to Chapter 3 for additional information and detailed implementation strategies. I NDIANA COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE RECREATION, PARK, AND OPEN SPACE PLAN 1 Executive Summary VISION AND GOALS F OR THE FUTURE Vision Parks, recreation, and open space provide significant benefits to the County’s high quality of life. Indiana County is dedicated to maintaining and improving the parks, recreation, and open space its citizens use and enjoy. Goals The County will work to strengthen cooperation among local communities, the county, state and federal governments, non-profit organizations, private landowners, businesses and other groups and individuals, in order to implement the strategies of this plan. Provide and maintain a comprehensive park and recreation system throughout the County that will include local, county, state, and federal park properties. Develop an extensive countywide trail system to include non- motorized, bicycling, hiking, and walking trails that run along side roads and streams and through the County’s business districts, parks, neighborhoods and open spaces. Support the efforts of local, regional, and state partners, both public and private, to implement an interconnected system of greenways and open spaces that protect the natural environment. Provide the resources necessary to maintain the Indiana County Parks and Trails system as the foundation of the county system, providing regional parks and recreational opportunities for persons of all ages, interests, and abilities. Aggressively pursue a variety of funding opportunities for additions, improvements and acquisitions to the county parks. Capitalize on opportunities for recreational and nature-based tourism. Advance the County's economy in a sustainable manner. Promote active, healthy lifestyles for all Indiana County residents. I NDIANA COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE RECREATION, PARK, AND OPEN SPACE PLAN 3 Executive Summary KEY RECOMMENDATIONS and the County should work with the Army Corps to increase awareness of the existing opportunities and Complete a County Greenways and Trails Plan explore the possibility of expanding the number and/or type of opportunities. The property is currently under Following adoption of this Comprehensive Recreation agreement with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to and Open Space Plan, the County should proceed with be open for hunting.