BRC-TAG-13.6-605 September 2012 This project was fi nanced in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund under administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. ROSS TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Grant Montgomery, President David J. Mikec, Vice President Daniel L. DeMarco Chris Rand Eyster John Sponcer Lana Mazur Grace Stanko Gerald R. O’Brian Peter A. Ferraro PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF Pete Geis, Parks and Recreation Director Vickey Trader, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director COMPREHENSIVE RECREATION, PARKS, AND OPEN SPACE PLAN STUDY GROUP Betty Ardery, Volunteer representing the senior population Tim Burnett, North Hills School District board Dan Cardone, North Hills School District Athletic Director Chris R. Eystrer, Ross Township Commissioner Sally Hergenroeder, Volunteer representing the senior population Karla Maruca, Representing civic association and forest sustainability Lana Mazur, Ross Township Commissioner Dave Mikec, Ross Township Commissioner and outdoor recreationalist cknowledgements Scott Schomaker, Active in community activities Barb Traynor, North hills Soccer Association Beth Wisnewski, Volunteer with parks and recreation A PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES Monica Hoffman, Recreation and Parks Advisor, Partnerships Division Kathy Frankel, Natural Resource Program Supervisor EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................1 Understanding Ross Township..............................................................................3 Listening to Community Residents ......................................................................3 Appreciating Existing Conditions ........................................................................4 Key Goals and Recommendations ................................................................................ 4 Other Goals of the Plan ...............................................................................................6 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................7 Comprehensive Recreation, Park, Open Space, and Open Space Plan ............9 The Planning Process ................................................................................................... 9 Parks and Recreation - The benefi ts are endless ........................................................10 How to Use this Plan ..................................................................................................10 CHAPTER 1:COMMUNITY BACKGROUND ......................13 Profi le of Ross Township, Allegheny County ....................................................15 Demographics .......................................................................................................16 Population ................................................................................................................... 16 Age Distribution ..........................................................................................................16 Household Data ..........................................................................................................17 Income Comparisons .................................................................................................. 17 Community Resources .........................................................................................18 Government ................................................................................................................. 18 Schools ........................................................................................................................18 able of Contents able Municipal Facilities ....................................................................................................19 Transportation ............................................................................................................ 19 Historical Description of Parks & Recreation Functions .......................................... 19 T CHAPTER 2: INVENTORY & ASSESSMENT ......................21 Recreation Facilities .............................................................................................23 Hierarchy of Parks ......................................................................................................23 Regional Recreation Opportunities ....................................................................25 Allegheny County Parks ..............................................................................................25 Regional Trails ............................................................................................................26 Pennsylvania State Parks ..........................................................................................27 Regional County Parks Outside Allegheny County ....................................................27 Local Recreation Facilities .........................................................................................31 Municipal Facilities ....................................................................................................33 Spatial Analysis ....................................................................................................43 Comparison of Ross Township Area Parks and Open Space to NRPA Standards ..................................................................................................49 Administration, Recreation Programming, Maintenance, and Finances .......49 Administration ............................................................................................................ 50 Recreation Programming ............................................................................................53 Maintenance ................................................................................................................ 58 Finances ...................................................................................................................... 60 CHAPTER 3: PUBLIC INPUT ................................................63 Public Participation .............................................................................................65 Study Committee Meetings ..........................................................................................65 Public Meetings .......................................................................................................... 66 Community Recreation Questionnaire ........................................................................68 Teen Questionnaire ..................................................................................................... 69 Internet Blog ...............................................................................................................69 Key Person Interviews ................................................................................................70 Common Themes Among Public Input Venues .................................................71 CHAPTER 4: VISION, GOALS, & IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES ...........................................................................73 Looking to the Future ..........................................................................................75 Mission Statement .......................................................................................................75 Vision Statement ..........................................................................................................75 Goals ........................................................................................................................... 75 Implementation Strategies/Recommendations ............................................................75 Mission Statement of the Ross Township Parks and Recreation Department ...........................................................................................................76 able of Contents able Ross Township Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Vision Statement .............76 Goals and Implementation Strategies ................................................................76 T Goal #1 ....................................................................................................................... 76 Goal #2 ....................................................................................................................... 80 Goal #3 ....................................................................................................................... 83 Goal #4 ....................................................................................................................... 85 Goal #5 ....................................................................................................................... 87 Goal #6 ....................................................................................................................... 87 Goal #7. ...................................................................................................................... 88 Implementation Strategies Tables ......................................................................89 Ross Parks Rehabilitation Plan .........................................................................89 Park Rehabilitation Strategy Charts ...........................................................................91 Park Rehabilitation Phasing Plan ..............................................................................97