Executive Summary A. Plan Overview The primary purpose of the Outdoor Recreation Plan is to facilitate cooperation and coordination among agencies in planning, acquiring, managing and funding outdoor recreation facilities in the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County, and to provide public access and recreation opportunities on public lands. Sonoma County is divided into six planning areas for purposes of identifying recreation needs and preferences and the facilities to meet these needs and preferences. Traditional park planning guidelines have been used as a starting point for determining recreation needs, specifically planning areas that may be under-served by particular types of parks and other facilities. Community input gathered in a variety of forums, and input from members of the Citizens' Advisory Committee, have been used to help identify more specific preferences for types of projects needed in the six planning areas. The Outdoor Recreation Plan is a ten-year plan extending from 2000 to 2010. B. Highlights of the Plan
C. Changes from the May 27, 1999 Draft Plan. On October 26 1999, the Board of Supervisors following three policy workshops in August and September, provided direction for the completion of the Outdoor Recreation Plan. The following are summaries of the changes between the May 27, 1999 Draft Outdoor Recreation Plan and the Revised Draft Outdoor Recreation Plan 1. Specific Changes Directed by the Board of Supervisors: A. Regarding the question of how the draft Outdoor Recreation Plan represents the purposes and goals envisioned by the Board of Supervisors, the direction given to staff was:
A.2. Regarding the question of how the draft Outdoor Recreation Plan addresses the variety of outdoor recreation facilities that the Board envisioned, the direction given to staff was to strengthen the findings and recommendations contained in the Draft Outdoor Recreation Plan Supplemental Information in Appendix 5 on Community and Neighborhood Parks and Recreational Facilities for Organized Sports by:
A.3. Regarding the question of how the draft Outdoor Recreation Plan adequately addresses the policy issues necessary to implement the Plan, the direction given to staff was to:
B. Other Direction received on specific issues:
2. Overview of Changes Clarification Regarding the Plan's Commitment to Agricultural Preservation: The Introduction to Chapter 1 on page 1, the Vision of the Outdoor Recreation Plan and Goal 1 in Chapter III were revised to emphasize the County's commitment to the preservation of agriculture and to clarify that land in agriculturally zoned areas of the County would not be condemned for parks or trails. More Focus on Facilities for Organized Sports: Changes in the Plan reflect a concern for providing additional facilities for organized sports. Appendix 5 was added to provide an expanded discussion of Community and Neighborhood Parks based on the Supplemental Information: Community and Neighborhood Parks and Recreational Facilities for Organized Sports (SCRP, August 12, 1999). In addition, the Assessment of Parkland Need was revised to include an assessment of the estimated need for Community and Neighborhood Parks on a County-wide basis at a rate of 5 acres/1,000 population for the Year 2010 (Chapter V, Section C.2.a). Location of Parks near Population Centers: A particular focus of this revised plan, is inclusion of a greater number of parks in proximity to population centers, particularly along the Highway 101 corridor. A number of Regional Parks and Community/-Neighborhood Parks have been located within the urban separators between cities along the corridor including North Santa Rosa Regional Park, and South Santa Rosa Regional Park (Chapter VI and Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11). Update of Parkland Projections: This revised Plan includes revised estimates of Parkland Needs for the Yr. 2010, based on population projections in the recently released ABAG - Projections 2000 report (Chapter V, Section C). Recommendations for Meeting Estimating Parkland Needs: The revised Draft Outdoor Recreation Plan includes tables in Chapter VI for each park planning area indicating how estimated parkland needs would be met by the proposed plan. 3. Changes by Chapter Chapter I: Introduction: Direction provided by the Sonoma County Supervisors at the Board Meeting of September 14, 1999 for further changes to the Outdoor Recreation Plan was added to Section C1 of this Executive Summary. Chapter II: The Value of Recreation to Sonoma County: No changes were made to this Chapter. Chapter III: Recommended Policies: Policies were revised to clarify the Board's commitments to: (1) preserving agricultural land; (2) balancing recreational opportunities including trails; and, (3) encouraging the partnering with cities and schools for development of trails near urban centers, and joint use recreation sites. In addition, policies were revised to address some of CORP's concerns regarding helping to remove constraints to acquiring and providing public access to trails and parks. Chapter IV: Parkland Classification and Inventory: This Chapter was revised to refine the classification system as follows: (1) The Community and Neighborhood Park categories were combined; and, (2) River Access facilities and the majority of Coastal Campground facilities were moved from the Open Space Parks (Passive) to the Regional Recreation Areas (Active). The former Table 6: Summary by Planning Area and Providers of Publicly Accessible Land in Sonoma County was deleted, because this information already exists in a more complete and useful table in Appendix 1. Chapter V: Parkland Needs Assessment: The Overview of Parkland Needs Assessment was updated to reflect revised parkland needs and moved forward to Section B of the Chapter. The demographic section (Section C1.) was revised to update the tables and text in accordance with the recently released ABAG - Projections 2000 report. This resulted in increases in the estimated countywide population for the years 2000-2010. Specific increases are as follows: Yr. 2000 (an additional 4,500 people over previous projections); Yr. 2005 (an additional 19,400 people over previous projections); and for the Yr. 2010 (an additional 21,500 people over previous projections). The Assessment of Parkland Needs (Section C 2.) was revised to combine the needs assessments for Community and Neighborhood Parks. This section was also revised to be consistent with the ABAG - Projections 2000 report. Chapter V (Section C 2) was also revised to focus the analysis on the estimated parkland needs for the Yr. 2010, the horizon year of the Plan. Chapter VI: Recommendations: This Chapter was revised to include tables showing how estimated needs are proposed to be met by the Outdoor Recreation Plan. A description of the specific project recommendations is included for each Park Planning Area. Chapter VII: Financing Options: A revision of the likely financial costs of implementing the recommendations of the Plan and financing options for the ORP and the specific costs of projects has been prepared. Chapter VIII: References: The list of references was updated to include the ABAG - Projections 2000 report. Chapter IX: Appendices: In Appendix 1, the Inventory of Publicly Accessible Land in Sonoma County was revised to combine the Community and Neighborhood Park categories. In addition, some refinements in classification of facilities described in Chapter IV are reflected in this table. Background Information Relating to Parkland Needs Assessment which was not based on the ratio of population to acreage for: (a) Neighborhood Parks, (b) Community Parks, and, (c). Regional Recreation Areas (Active) was deleted. All revised information is in the Plan in Chapter V. The Visitor Analysis was also removed. Appendix 5 was added to include the supplemental information on community and neighborhood parks and partnerships with schools. Appendix 8 was added to provide a summary and background information regarding Offers to Dedicate Public Access areas to and along the Coast; Appendix 9 was added to include more information from the Russian River Public Access and Trespass Management Plan regarding the analysis of River Access sites along the Russian River. Appendix 10 was added to outline the process for acquiring park properties, particularly properties that might be considered opportunity purchases that are not called out in the General Plan. Appendix 11 was added to include correspondence received from Cities and other government entities and Appendix 12 was added to include letters from individuals and non government organizations on the May 27, 1999 Draft Plan. D. Effectiveness of the Plan in meeting its defined purposes and goals The Purposes of the Plan are identified in the Introduction, as follows: 1. To coordinate the efforts of Sonoma County Regional Parks, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District and the Sonoma County Water Agency, State Parks, and other agencies in providing public access and recreation opportunities on public lands. The Agencies described above have cooperated in developing this Plan. As part of this process, they have assisted the Citizens Advisory Committee to develop priorities for acquisition for recreation facilities. They have also assisted the Citizens Advisory Committee to develop draft policies to help guide future interagency coordination of recreation projects. 2. To analyze and make recommendations concerning alternative funding mechanisms to maintain existing and support the future growth in the park and publicly accessible open space system. Chapter VII and Appendix 7 identify alternative funding mechanisms to maintain existing and support the future growth in the park and publicly accessible open space system. 3. To improve the ability of Regional Parks, SCAPOSD, and SCWA to compete successfully for limited federal, state and private grant funding. The adoption of the Plan will enable those projects identified in the Plan to be eligible for grant funding opportunities. In addition it specifically identifies through a needs assessment process those projects which would be the priorities for the Regional Parks Department. 4. To provide a forum for public participation in the development of a Recreation Element in the next comprehensive update of the County General Plan. Development of this Plan involved an extensive public participation process including surveys, public workshops in all six Park Planning Areas, and the ongoing involvement and direction provided by the Citizens' Advisory Committee and policy direction provided by the Board of Supervisors at the Policy Workshops in August and September 1999. The public was instrumental in identifying park facility priorities at public workshops in 1996 and 1997 (See Appendix 4). The Citizens' Advisory Committee conducted an extensive Trails Evaluation in 1997 and 1998 (See Appendix 2). A survey of County Residents conducted in 1995 was used in the initial development of this Plan and was useful in identifying overall preferences and priorities for parkland facilities (See Appendix 3). Following hearings conducted by the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors, the Outdoor Recreation Plan would be adopted and incorporated into the General Plan. 5. To establish a goal of an achievable ratio of public outdoor recreational acreage to population. Realistic ratios of public outdoor recreational acreage to population were developed for parkland categories where they were considered most applicable. These guidelines reflect those set in the 1989 General Plan Public Facilities Element, but with a clear distinction between Regional Recreation Areas and Open Space Parks. Achievable ratios are based on the following: Community and Neighborhood Parks. These parks serve local recreational needs of the communities they serve. The standard of 5 acres/thousand population was used on a county wide basis. Since individual city general plans address their own needs within their jurisdiction, recommendations are made for those park facilities that would address the needs of residents of the unincorporated areas. Regional Recreation Areas. These parks cater to more active recreation activities with higher impact including organized sports, campgrounds, boat launch facilities: 5 acres/thousand based on total county population. Open Space Parks. These parks cater to more passive and more low impact recreation such as hiking, equestrian and mountain biking trails, nature study areas and areas of natural beauty: 15 acres/thousand based on total county population. Ratios of recreational acreage to population were not considered useful planning tools for the categories of lands controlled by state, federal, and non profit agencies. These include such facilities as state parks, federal recreation areas, preserves operated by state, federal non profit and other governmental agencies, where the protection and management of specific natural or cultural resources guides priorities for acquisition. Similarly the designation of trail corridors in the Outdoor Recreation Plan does not reflect a specific ratio of population to trails miles but rather the reflection of desired routes for multi-use trails within the county to connect public lands. 6. To define the role, relationship and responsibility of the participating agencies in working with public and private agencies involved in youth services. The planning process for the Outdoor Recreation Plan provided a forum and opportunity for representatives of public and private agencies to provide input on the outdoor recreation needs of youth and the general population. Analysis of the need to provide additional recreation facilities for organized sports to serve local areas is contained in the plan. The Plan quantified future needs through a county wide needs assessment of Community and Neighborhood Park facilities that recognizes the role played by all public recreation providers including, cities, special districts, the public schools and the county. The Outdoor Recreation Plan is intended as a County planning tool, and as such acknowledges that individual City General Plans and the long range plans of Special Recreation Districts will provide specific guidance and goals for their jurisdictions. The Outdoor Recreation Plan has made specific recommendations for the provision of those outdoor recreation facilities such as in the unincorporated areas. County policy recommendations include cooperative use arrangements with other recreation providers to satisfy these needs. E. Goals identified in the Introduction of the Plan. 1. Develop a long-range strategy for acquisition and development of new parks, preserves, public access, and recreation facilities. Chapter VI describes priorities for the acquisition and development of new community parks, regional recreation areas, open space parks and trails. Also included are recommendations for other lands administered by federal, state, other government entities and non-profits. 2. Develop funding mechanisms for maintenance and management for these outdoor recreation facilities. Chapter VII describes the likely costs of implementing the plan. Contained in this chapter are some financial recommendations describing types of funding tools that could be used in developing financial strategies. 3. Prepare a baseline which quantifies the economic benefits of recreation to Sonoma County. Chapter II provides an overview of the economic benefits of recreation in Sonoma County. Table 1 in Chapter II also establishes an overall baseline developed by the California Department of Trade and Commerce, Division of Tourism, for Sonoma County. 4. Identify acquisition and development funding with identified projects in the Plan's sub-areas. Appendix 7 identifies costs of acquisition and development related to the implementation of the Plan by sub-area. Funding options and opportunities are identified in Chapter VII. 5. Improve communication, coordination and contracting between agencies involved in public access to, and recreation use of public lands. In the process of developing the Plan a number of agencies were contacted regarding recreation use of properties. An inventory of existing publicly accessible land was prepared as part of the Plan. This information is in Chapter IV. In addition the Plan has created considerable interest and volunteer efforts by groups and non-profits, such as Landpaths, to assist in efforts to lead hikes and other activities on lands with public easements. 6. Coordinate existing and proposed regional recreation and open space plans. In developing priorities for parkland acquisition, consideration was given to the existing County General Plan, existing Coastal Plans, the Russian River Public Access and Trespass Management Plan, the County Bicycle Plan and the recreation components of city general plans were all used to identify project needs and priorities. 7. Provide criteria and data on which to base future budgetary and financial decisions. Chapter VII and Appendix 7 set out the likely costs of implementing the recommendations of the Outdoor Recreation Plan. The Plan recognizes the role of the County's Five Year Capital Improvement Plan as a method of setting priorities. In addition Chapter VI provides a list of criteria for considering specific proposed projects. 8. Review existing and/or establish policies for: In the process of developing the Plan many of the Recommended Policies in Chapter III address the following issues:
9. Provide a County-Wide Needs Assessment. Chapter V consists of a County-Wide Needs Assessment. Agencies involved in preparing the Outdoor Recreation Plan described the need for an overall 'Road Map' for park planning that balances the need for structure, clear process, flexibility and sound rationale.
NOTE: See also the parklands needs analysis, the comparison of past and present park/trail plans, and the cost summary, all prepared by Sonoma County Regional Parks staff in June 2000. Or return to Library. |
