City of Battle Creek Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014-2018 Parks and Recreation Mission To provide recreation programs and services that improve the physical health and wellbeing of the individual and the community. March 2014 Parks and Recreation City of Battle Creek Master Plan 2014-2018 M ASTER PURPOSE This Master Plan is intended to be an evolving document P that provides direction for current and future recreation LAN programs and services. It identifies priorities and methods The Battle Creek Parks and Recreation Department is that can be used to develop and administer programs and committed… services, including facilities, which support the 2014 department’s mission and goals. The Master Plan will also …to providing recreation programs and services that be used to leverage future grant funding opportunities. improve the physical health and wellbeing of the - individual and the community. GUIDELINES 2018 The content meets the recommendations of the Michigan This mission is the guiding principle behind all of the Department of Natural Resources Guidelines for the department’s efforts. This plan is a tool to help Development of Community Park, Recreation, Open Space, accomplish the department’s mission and goals. and Greenway Plans IC 1924 (Rev. (01-13-12). The plan is intended to be informative, yet concise. The plan includes a significant amount of data collection and community input that has been summarized in the report and/or referenced and attached as appendices. Additional information such as performance measurements and other evaluation tools have been included for use by Battle Creek Parks and Recreation staff. This information is meant to serve as a daily reference to assist in decision- making and as a tool for continuing to improve the master plan and the effectiveness of the Parks and Recreation Department. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The residents of the City of Battle Creek were critical to the development of this plan. Their involvement through public input processes and continued use of programs and services contribute to the success of the department The Battle Creek Parks and Recreation Department dedicated itself to reaching out and gathering public comment to create a unique plan that will guide its decision-making in the future.. Senior city, an advisory committee, and parks and recreation staff also contributed to the formation and development of key elements of the plan ensuring a cooperative approach to the future planning and implementation of parks and recreation services. P a g e | 1 2 Parks and Recreation City of Battle Creek Master Plan 2014-2018 M ASTER P LAN 2014 - 201 8 P a g e | 3 4 Parks and Recreation City of Battle Creek Master Plan 2014-2018 M ASTER P LAN 2014 - 201 8 P a g e | 5 6 Parks and Recreation City of Battle Creek Master Plan 2014-2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1: PLANNING AND PUBLIC INPUT Purpose ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Guidelines .................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................................... 1 Planning Approach ................................................................................................................................................... 11 Responsibilities ........................................................................................................................................................ 11 Needs Assessment Survey ....................................................................................................................................... 11 Public Input Process ................................................................................................................................................. 12 Public Review and Approval Process ....................................................................................................................... 12 Action Plan (Goals/Objectives/Strategies) ............................................................................................................... 12 Public Approval and Plan Adoption ......................................................................................................................... 13 SECTION 2: COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION Planning Jurisdiction ................................................................................................................................................ 15 Planning Focus ......................................................................................................................................................... 15 Social Characteristics ............................................................................................................................................... 16 Physical Characteristics ............................................................................................................................................ 16 SECTION 3: RECREATION INVENTORY City-Owned Parks and Facilities ............................................................................................................................... 23 Schools ..................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Non-Municipal Leisure Providers ............................................................................................................................. 23 Inventory of Services ................................................................................................................................................ 24 Barrier Free (Accessibility) Evaluation ..................................................................................................................... 48 DNR Recreation Grant Inventory ............................................................................................................................. 51 SECTION 4: ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE Method .................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Mission ..................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Organization ............................................................................................................................................................. 53 Staffing ..................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Budget ...................................................................................................................................................................... 54 Partnerships ............................................................................................................................................................. 54 Policies and Procedures ........................................................................................................................................... 55 SECTION 5: ACTION PLAN Planning Strategy ..................................................................................................................................................... 61 Strategic Directives .................................................................................................................................................. 62 Goals and Objectives ................................................................................................................................................ 62 Evaluation ................................................................................................................................................................ 64 APPENDICES Appendix A: Needs Assessment Survey and Results ............................................................................................... 70 Appendix B: Public Review Process.......................................................................................................................... 81 Appendix C: Public Approval Process ....................................................................................................................... 85 Appendix D: Articles ............................................................................................................................................... 127 P a g e | 7 (This page is intentionally blank) 8 Parks and Recreation City of Battle Creek Master Plan 2014-2018 LIST OF FIGURES/TABLES/MAPS M Introductory Section ASTER Identification Title Description Page Conveyance Letter – Department of Letter of plan submission to the State of Michigan 2 Natural Resources Department of Natural Resources. Plan Certification Checklist A checklist of items required by the State for plan 3 P completion. LAN Conveyance Letter – Regional Letter of conveyance to the South Central Michigan 5 Planning Authority Planning Council. Conveyance Letter – Calhoun Letter of conveyance to Calhoun County Government. 6 2014 County Section 1: Planning - Identification