Planning for Parks, Recreation, and Open Space in Your Community 1 Planning for Parks, Recreation, and Open Space in Your Community Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation CTED STAFF Juli Wilkerson, Director Local Government Division Nancy K. Ousley, Assistant Director Growth Management Services Leonard Bauer, AICP, Managing Director Rita R. Robison, AICP, Senior Planner Jan Unwin, Office Support Supervisor PO Box 42525 Olympia, Washington 98504-2525 (360) 725-3000 Fax (360) 753-2950 www.cted.wa.gov/growth IAC STAFF Lorinda Anderson, Recreation Planner Jim Eychander, Recreation Planner Text by Susan C. Enger, AICP Municipal Research & Services Center Seattle, Washington February 2005 Photo Credits CTED/Rita R. Robison, cover and pages 1, 3, 7, 14, 15, 16, 18, 32, 34, 35, 37, 39, 46, 57, 61, 64, 66, 68, 74, 79, 80, 86 Mark Fry, page 5 Courtesy of the City of Tigard, page 10 Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation, page 20 Courtesy of the City of Stanwood, page 22 Courtesy of the City of Puyallup, page 33 Courtesy of the City of Vancouver, page 71 Courtesy of the City of Snohomish, page 76 Courtesy of Metro Parks Tacoma, page 91 Table of Contents Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1 GMA Provisions and Case Law Relating to Parks, Recreation, and Open Space.......................... 5 Building an Integrated Open Space System.................................................................................. 12 Different Open Space Types and Purposes................................................................................... 14 Hazardous Critical Areas .......................................................................................................... 14 Ecologically Critical Areas....................................................................................................... 15 Commercially Significant Resource Lands .............................................................................. 16 Recreation, Education, and Cultural Sites ................................................................................ 17 Lands That Shape Urban Form................................................................................................. 18 Lands With Aesthetic Values Defining Community Identify................................................... 18 Urban Reserves or Future Urban Areas.................................................................................... 19 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Planning Processes............................................................... 20 Step 1: Consider Goals and Overall Planning Framework ...................................................... 21 Step 2: Initiate Community Visioning and Ongoing Citizen Participation ............................. 21 Step 3: Inventory Existing Conditions, Trends, and Resources/Identify Problems and Opportunities............................................................................................................................. 24 Step 4: Develop Goals and Priorities to Guide Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Measures ................................................................................................................................... 28 Step 5: Enlist the Support of Other Local Groups, Jurisdictions, and Departments................ 31 Step 6: Assess Parks/Open Space/Recreation Needs and Demand ......................................... 37 Step 7: Develop Site Selection Criteria and Priorities, Based on Community Goals.............. 56 Step 8: Evaluate Plan Alternatives; Select and Adopt the Preferred Plan ............................... 56 Step 9: Prepare the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan Element.................................... 57 Step 10: Develop Tools to Implement Your Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Strategy .... 59 Step 11: Adopt and Transmit the Element............................................................................... 59 Open Space Designation Criteria.................................................................................................. 61 Criteria Must Be Tied to Local Objectives............................................................................... 61 Different Types of Criteria Can Aid the Decision Process....................................................... 61 Structure Sets of Criteria to Focus Selection Decisions ........................................................... 62 Open Space Protection Techniques .............................................................................................. 64 Be Prepared to Apply a Variety of Tools to Address a Variety of Purposes............................ 64 Decide on a Balance of Regulatory and Nonregulatory Approaches ....................................... 64 Build a Program that Combines Public and Private Protection Efforts.................................... 69 Select the Tools Best Matched to the Job and Local Conditions.............................................. 70 Issues in Designating Open Space Areas...................................................................................... 71 Economic Issues........................................................................................................................ 71 Access Issues ............................................................................................................................ 73 Maintenance/Stewardship......................................................................................................... 74 Legal and Political Considerations ........................................................................................... 76 Park Design Issues/Planning Parks for People ......................................................................... 78 Address Needs of Different Population Groups ....................................................................... 79 Open Space Corridors............................................................................................................... 81 Funding for Parks and Recreation (Or You Must Pay to Play) .................................................... 84 Traditional Local Funding Sources Authorized by Statutes..................................................... 85 Several Newer Funding Sources Adopted as a Part of GMA Legislation................................ 85 Federal and State Funding Programs ........................................................................................ 86 Interlocal Cooperation .............................................................................................................. 87 Alternative Approaches for Providing Park and Recreation Services...................................... 87 Special Purpose Districts .......................................................................................................... 89 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 92 Appendix A: User Demand and Park Use Survey Examples Appendix B: Park Inventory Examples Appendix C: Comparison of Recreational Districts Appendix D: Interlocal Agreements Examples Appendix E: IAC Recreation and Habitat Grants Appendix F: City of Bellevue Summary of Funding Resources Appendix G: References and Resources Appendix H: Resources for ADA Assistance Appendix I: Online Resources for Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Planning Table of Figures Figure 1. Participation in General Recreation Categories as a Percent of State Population........ 52 Figure 2. Major Outdoor Activities: Average Events Per Year, All Ages ................................. 53 Figure 3. Percent Change in Participation in Outdoor Recreational Activities, 1982-1995........ 54 Figure 4. Kitsap County Allocation of Dollars for Facilities....................................................... 84 Table of Tables Table 1. King County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Policies.............................................29 Table 2: Parks, Open Space, and Pathways Classification Table.................................................42 Table 3: IAC 2003 Estimates of Future Participation in Outdoor Recreation in Washington State .......................................................................................................................55 To obtain this publication in alternative format, please contact the CTED ADA coordinator at: Post Office Box 42525 Olympia, Washington 98504-2525 (360) 725-2652 (360) 753-1128 (Fax) Introduction The Growth Management Act (GMA) charts a new course for Washington communities that has tremendous implications for parks, recreation, and open space planning. The GMA promotes wise use of limited land and resources which helps conserve open space. It aims to reverse the trend toward converting undeveloped land into sprawling, low-density land use that represents a threat to open space in this state. The GMA also encourages the enhancement of recreational opportunities for the enjoyment of Washington citizens. It calls for the development of parks and recreation facilities, which adds to the quality of life in communities throughout the state. The GMA recognizes a variety of types of open space and recreational opportunities and provides new policy direction, tools, and opportunities for open space protection and recreational enhancement.