10-26-20 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council

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CCEE PPSSSS RR OO These steps included evaluating and understanding existing conditions and developing appropriate goals for the parks and recreation system; identifying local resources and opportunities; analyzing parkland, facility, and recreational needs based on population growth and community input; developing recommendations and priorities; and identifying potential implementation strategies. Through a series of meetings held throughout the planning process, the community provided valuable input regarding their opinions, wants, and needs for the City’s parks and recreation system. This Plan is formulated to address a 20-year time frame, from 2020 to 2040. Many of the recommendations of this Plan are valid for a period of up to 10 years, but should be evaluated periodically. Local planning requirements issued by the TPWD recommend that the Plan be updated ). Figure 1.2, ROLE OF CITY IN PROVIDING PARKS AND RECREATIONPLANNING PROCESS AND TIMELINE The role of Texas cities in the provision of parks and recreational facilities varies considerably, from centralized control and management of these facilities to almost no city involvement. La Porte is one such city that provides parks and recreation facilities. Currently La Porte’s parks are operated and maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department.The City recognizes the need to develop a coordinated parks and recreation system that will meet the varying needs of their community. This includes enhancing and maintaining existing facilities and increasing the quantity (in real and functional terms) of developed recreation areas. The City must also address the means by which to acquire park and open space, trails and linkages, through public and private partnerships, land donation and dedication, monies in lieu of land, leases and land acquisition. In addition to providing the needed parks and programs, the City should encourage visible results. Joint-use or lease agreements could be established with other governmental entities, individuals, civic groups, developers, sports associations, independent school districts, state agencies, railroads, and special districts to maximize recreational use of land.In November 2018, the City of La Porte commissioned Halff Associates, Inc. to prepare an updated Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan. The planning process involved a series of steps that allowed for the development of a successful planning document to guide decision-making regarding the future of parks, recreation, and open space in the City (refer to 1.4