09-15-11 Planning and Zoning - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT S5PTG848EK2201l Service Areas Evaluating service areas is an effective means of identifying geographic areas that have sufficient pork areas available, but more importantly to identify those in need of additional parks and recreation areas and facilities. Neighborhood parks have a service area of one -quarter (Y4) mile, while community parks have a service area of one mile; which means that the majority of the persons who utilize these facilities live within those respective distances. The service areas for the [ity's parks are displayed in Map 2.4,Park Service Areas. Since private parks also provide neighborhood - scale park and recreation benefits to City residents, their service areas have been included in this analysis. While school parks have not been included in this analysis, they too could be included if the City and La Porte ISD formalize joint use agreements and these playground and other amenities are open to the public outside ofschool operating hours. Park System Plan The La Porte Perk System Man is designed to meet the requirements of the Texas Parks and VV|N|ife Department (TPVVD) in order to become eligible for grant reimbursement of up to 50 percent (with a maximum of$5Nl000 per application cycle) for qualified projects. With the City being proactive in adopting separate Parks and Open Space and Trails master plan, these requirements have been met. Map 2.5, Panf System Plan, is intended to be an intermediary analysis that will facilitate future discussion when those separate master plans are updated. As the City moves forward in expanding park acreage to meet the needs of the future projected population, the ParkSystenn Man delineates the areas of deficiencies vvi1h|m the City and should be one of the primary considerations used tmidentify where future neighborhood and community parks are located. Key Planning Considerations Key planning considerations for ensuring adequate parks, recreation, and open space include: 1) AN people should have equal access to recreational areas activities, services and facilities regardless of personal interest, age, gender, income, cultural background, housing environment, orhandicap. Z) Public recreation should he highly coordinated among public institutions and private entities toavoid duplication and encourage cooperation. 3) Public recreation should incorporate public services such as education, health and fitness, transportation, and leisure. 4} Facilities should be well -planned and coordinated to ensure adequate adaptability tofuture needs and requirements.