Provo City Parks and Recreation Master Plan December 2013 1 Acknowledgements The Provo City Parks and Recreation Master Plan was developed by Provo City’s Parks and Recreation Department with the technical expertise and design skills of PROS Consulting, LLC, and ETC/Leisure Vision Institute. Special thanks go to many residents, park users, and community leaders for their insight and support throughout this study. PROVO MAYOR AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL PROVO PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Mayor John Curtis Bill Bridges, Chair Gary Winterton, Chair Ross Salmon, Vice Chair Kay Van Buren, Vice Chair Michael Bateman Sterling Beck William Fillmore Laura Cabanilla Odell Miner Gary Garrett Marian Monnahan Rick Healey Dave Olpin Hal Miller Robin Roberts Tammy Runia Brian Smith PROVO CITY STAFF Wayne Parker, Chief Administrative Officer Shelliane White, Recreation Supervisor Roger Thomas, Director of Parks and Recreation Tucker Lougee, Recreation Supervisor Doug Robins, Parks Division Director Brian Smith, Community Programs/Events Supervisor Scott Henderson, Recreation Division Director Dean Hutchison, Parks Projects Coordinator Paul Duerden, Covey Center for the Arts Manager James Cornaby, Cemetery Sexton Matthew Brimhall, Parks Area Maintenance Supervisor Ron Adams, Parks Area Maintenance Supervisor Cathy Smits, Aquatics Supervisor Bill Peperone, Assistant Director of Community Development Penn Almoney, Recreation Supervisor RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS Steve Densley, Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce Joe Gledhill, Provo City School District Melanie McCoard Mark Holden, Utah Reclamation District Michael Mills, Utah Mitigation and Conservation Commission Richard Mingo, Central Utah Water Conservancy District Lee Baxter, U.S. Department of Interior Steve Reid Richard Wagner Diane Christensen Tom Schuman Ned Bixler Dave West Marty Evans Rob Allen Troy Jenson Leo Lines Kimberley Gardner Laura Zweifel Gary Brockett David Walker Sariah Hillam Steven Nordstrom Pam Jones Robert Hammond Sam and Lori Otterstrom Carol Ng Bob Allen Kathryn Allen Zac Whitmore Gerry Baumgarten Aaron Skabelund Gary Golightly AJ Faust Sharon Memmott Rick McLaughlin, McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group Participants in public workshops Resident respondents to the community survey Letter of Transmittal December 17, 2013 Provo City, Utah Mayor John Curtis Reference: Provo City Parks and Recreation Master Plan Dear Mayor Curtis: PROS Consulting is pleased to present to you, members of the Provo City Municipal Council, the Parks and Recreation Board, Senior Citizens Advisory Board, Arts Council, Provo City staff, and residents the Provo City Parks and Recreation Master Plan. This plan is meant to reflect the needs and desires of the residents of the community; the regional users of parks, trails, and recreational facilities; the best practices of the industry; and the recommendations of the Consultant Team. A significant amount of public input, innovative analysis, discussion, and dialogue went into formulating the plan. The recommendations that emerged from the planning process, mirror the needs that are deemed essential to meet community needs and improve the operational sustainability of the City’s parks, trails, recreation programs, and facilities as Provo becomes even more widely recognized as a leader in managing a top-quality municipal park and recreation system. The many recommendations offered here are part of a comprehensive analysis and include actions for addressing immediate needs, as well as steps to be implemented long term. PROS Consulting is honored to have worked with you, the Provo City staff, the Parks and Recreation Board, Senior Citizens Advisory Board, Arts Council, the Provo City Municipal Council, and the community in this process. Sincerely, PROS Consulting LLC Leon Younger President 3 Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................................................... 2 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL .................................................................................................................................... 3 A VISION FOR THE FUTURE .................................................................................................................................. 7 WHERE WE ARE TODAY ..................................................................................................................................... 8 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 8 GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE MASTER PLAN ............................................................................... 9 CORE VALUES OF PROVO CITY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT ................................................................... 9 SUPPORT QUALITY OF LIFE .............................................................................................................................. 9 IMPROVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS .................................................................................................................... 9 FACILITATE COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY ............................................................................................................ 9 PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................................................... 9 PRACTICE RESOURCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE STEWARDSHIP ................................................................................ 10 PARKS AND RECREATION IN PROVO TODAY ...................................................................................................... 10 KEY FINDINGS OF THE SITE AND FACILITY ASSESSMENTS ..................................................................................... 12 PARKS AND RECREATION SITES ARE WELL MAINTAINED ..................................................................................... 12 OLDER AMENITIES NEED UPDATING ............................................................................................................... 12 BROAD DIVERSITY OF AMENITIES AND SITE TYPES ............................................................................................. 12 EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF SITES AND FACILITIES ........................................................................................... 12 DESIGN BEST PRACTICES ............................................................................................................................... 12 COMMUNITY USAGE IS STRONG ..................................................................................................................... 12 CURRENT RECREATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ............................................................................................ 15 COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY .......................................................................................................................... 16 THE FUTURE OF PARKS AND RECREATION IN PROVO .............................................................................................. 17 EVALUATING NEEDS ..................................................................................................................................... 17 METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................................................... 17 GUIDING PRINCIPLES .................................................................................................................................... 17 KEY FINDINGS ............................................................................................................................................. 18 CITY RESIDENTS ARE ACTIVE AND HAVE DIVERSE NEEDS .................................................................................... 18 CITY PARKS PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY ............................................................................ 18 RESIDENTS ARE OPEN TO ENHANCEMENTS ...................................................................................................... 18 SITE AND FACILITIES SUPPORTING PASSIVE RECREATION ARE THE LARGEST AREA OF INTEREST ................................. 18 ACTIVE RECREATIONAL SITES ARE ALSO EXTREMELY POPULAR ............................................................................ 18 KEY RECOMMENDATIONS AND PRIORITIES ....................................................................................................... 19 MAINTAINING WHAT WE HAVE ..................................................................................................................... 19 IMPROVING WHAT WE HAVE ........................................................................................................................ 19 DEVELOPING NEW OPPORTUNITIES ................................................................................................................ 19 DEMOGRAPHICS ANALYSIS OF PROVO ............................................................................................................. 20 METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................................................... 20 PROVO DEMOGRAPHIC QUICK FACTS .............................................................................................................. 20 DEMOGRAPHICS ANALYSIS FINDINGS .............................................................................................................