PARK CLASSIFICATION

The established park classification system in Plano includes neighborhood parks, community parks, linear parks, special use facilities, open space preserves, special area parks, and golf courses. However, many parks can be classified as multiple kinds of parks. For example, some community parks and linear parks also have a neighborhood park component. This multi-purpose nature is reflected in the subsequent inventory.

Neighborhood Parks in Plano typically serve neighborhoods within a one square mile area and are generally seven to ten acres in size. The service area that these parks reach is approximately ½ mile radius, or a ten minute walk. Many neighborhood parks in Plano were developed adjacent to an elementary school to share amenities and parking. Amenities typically include playgrounds, picnic tables, pavilions, walking paths, and open areas for free play. They function as activity centers and focal points for the neighborhood. In Plano there are 31 developed neighborhood parks. Neighborhood park amenities generally do not provide restroom facilities.

Community Parks typically serve a group of neighborhoods or portion of a city and are generally at least 25 acres in size. Community Parks have a higher level of service than Neighborhood Parks. The service area that these parks reach is approximately one mile radius. Both passive and active recreation elements are found in community parks. Overall, more amenities are included in community parks, including competitive athletic fields, recreation centers, concession stands, and permanent restroom facilities. Plano currently has 20 developed community parks and two undeveloped park sites slated to be community parks.

Of the existing and planned community parks, 16 are designated as athletic complexes featuring baseball, softball, soccer, and other sports. Athletic complexes in Plano are unique because the majority of fields are multi-purpose; their use changes based on the season. This reduces maintenance needs and allows more efficient use of space yearround.

Linear Parks are long, narrow stretches of green spaces that link residential areas, schools, public facilities, and other parks. These parks are often located along creek corridors, utility easements, and rail corridors. They provide breaks in the urban development pattern, conserve ecologically unique areas, and are often contiguous with Community Parks and Open Space Preserves. There is no typical size nor service area since these parks vary in size. Amenities in linear parks typically include passive recreation elements like trails and associated amenities. In Plano there are 16 linear parks.

Special Use Facilities are differentiated from other park classifications because they draw more attendance from across the city and tend to serve a specific, unique purpose. Examples include memorials and cemeteries, as well as facilities or sites managed by the Parks and Recreation Department that do not easily fit into other categories. In Plano there are currently nine facilities or sites managed by the Parks and Recreation Department that are considered Special Use Facilities.

Open Space Preserves have a dual purpose to both preserve environmentally-sensitive sites and provide passive recreation. In Plano there are currently four open space preserves. Amenities in open space preserves are focused on passive recreation, including trails and nature viewing areas.

Golf Courses provide spaces to socialize and be active. In Plano there are two municipal golf courses: Pecan Hollow and Ridgeview Ranch. For a nominal fee, anyone can play golf at these facilities.

Special Area Parks are parks located within areas designated as special area park areas - Collin Creek redevelopment area and the Northwest Legacy area. Within these two areas, available land is scarce and expensive, so strategies for park space in these areas does not follow traditional park development. Types of parks could include carving out linear park spaces on the edges of corporate campuses. Currently there are three undeveloped special area parks in Plano.

The Park System Map shown in Figure 4.1 shows the location of all existing parks and undeveloped park sites in the Plano Parks System.