Park Planning & Stewardship Division Park & Trail Planning Section
2012 Park Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan
M-NCPPC, Department of Parks, Montgomery County, MD Montgomery County Department of Recreation July, 2012
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Overview of Today’s Presentation What is the 2012 PROS Plan? How does it relate to the Vision 2030 strategic plan? How does it direct the work programs of the Department of Parks and the Recreation Department? How will it help achieve the right parks in the right places?
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Purpose of PROS Plan To estimate park and recreation facility needs for the next 10 years and service delivery strategies for providing them To recommend preservation and interpretation priorities for important natural and historic areas To provide input to area and park master plans regarding the need for public parkland and recreation facilities To help establish park acquisition and development priorities in the sixyear Capital Improvements Program (CIP)
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How is the Vision 2030 Strategic Plan different from the 2012 PROS Plan? Vision 2030 Strategic Plan Is broader in scope, and helps us understand underserved areas of the County Includes programming, policing, maintenance, operations, marketing as well as park and recreation planning
Together, these two documents Help us to set clear priorities for acquisition and development Guide input to Park and Area Master Plans and the CIP
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Relationship between Vision 2030 and the 2012 PROS Plan Vision 2030 Strategic Plan Shows where in the County we need more park and recreation facilities and services Sets priorities for programs, park operations, marketing, management, and park planning and development
PROS Plan Is State-mandated Estimates how many and what type of recreation facilities are needed for the next 10 years Recommends how to deliver the facilities to meet the needs Provides basis for recommendations in each master plan area Recommends land acquisition priorities Recommends priorities for preserving natural and historic/cultural resources, and agricultural lands
Together, these two documents Will help us to set clear priorities for acquisition and development Guide input to park and area master plans, and the CIP -5PARK PLANNING & STEWARDSHIP DIVISION
Vision 2030 Recap Products Statistically Valid Survey
Strategic Plan
Level of Service Analysis
Staff Level Implementation Plan
Needs and Resource Assessment
Cost Recovery Analysis
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Vision 2030 Highlights To maintain a high level of quality into the future, the M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Montgomery County Department of Recreation will need to: Maintain and strengthen the current parks and recreation system Prioritize tax resources on core services Ensure operational sustainability Balance new construction with maintenance and repair of existing facilities
Respond to emerging trends and changing priorities Strengthen stewardship of natural and historical resources Continue to “green” the park system – including facilities, equipment, and operational programs
Continue the current focus on customer service and public safety Collaborate to efficiently deliver quality services Plan for future growth Respond to changing demographics -7PARK PLANNING & STEWARDSHIP DIVISION
PROS Plan Outreach Vision 2030 Outreach Statistically Valid Mail Survey Public Meetings Summits Focus Groups
Additional outreach included Web page and e-mail access Input from Recreation and Park Advisory Boards Public Meetings on Draft Service Delivery Proposals Planning Board Public Sessions
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PROS Plan Highlights What's New? Addresses Montgomery County’s increasing urbanization Urban Park Guidelines, Part 1 Six new types of urban parks, several new urban facilities Renovation of Existing Facilities and Repurposing of Underutilized Facilities
Offers Strategies for the "right facilities in the right places" Service Delivery Approach Ongoing Countywide Park Trails Plan Amendment Future Implementation Plan – Site Selection Studies Ongoing Athletic Field Study
Prioritizes Stewardship of Natural and Cultural Resources on M-NCPPC Parkland Natural Resources Management Plan Cultural Resources Asset Inventory Database
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PROS Plan Highlights Urban Park Guidelines  Establish a hierarchy for all urban areas For the sector plan area: active recreation destinations central civic green interconnected sidewalks and trails wooded areas For each neighborhood: community use park Fore each block: urban square, plaza or green For each building: outdoor recreation space For each residence: private outdoor space
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PROS Plan Highlights Urban Parks Create two categories of Urban Parks in the Park Classification System Countywide Urban Park To serve the entire urban area, e.g. Sector Plan Area or Central Business District Community Use Urban Park To serve a segment of an urban area, such as a neighborhood, a center, or a district
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Urban Park Classification Revisions Category: Countywide Urban Park Serves residents, visitors, and workers of an entire urban high-density transit-oriented development area May be programmed with numerous activities that attract residents from other parts of the county Parking is located in structures underground or in nearby public parking lots, garages or along adjoining streets, rather than on-site. May be lighted at night along major walkways and for certain activities such as events, or court sports.
Subcategories Civic Green
Urban Recreational Park Urban Greenway
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Rockville Town Center, Rockville
Urban Park Classification Revisions Category: Countywide Urban Park Subcategory Civic Green Located in the center of high density development, providing a green outdoor “living room” for residents, employees and visitors Serves people from other parts of the county and capital region Formally planned, flexible, programmable open spaces for informal gathering, quiet contemplation, or large special event gatherings May support open air markets, concerts, festivals, and special events Not often used for programmed recreational purposes A central lawn is often the main focus with adjacent spaces providing complementary uses
May include gardens, water features and shade structures. Minimum size: ½ acre Examples in Adopted Plans: White Flint, Wheaton, Great Seneca Science Corridor, Takoma Langley
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MC Parks - Civic Green, Germantown
Urban Park Classification Revisions Category: Countywide Urban Park Subcategory Urban Recreational Park Oriented to the recreational needs of a densely populated neighborhood and business district Space for many activities and may include athletic fields, playing courts, picnicking, dog parks, sitting areas and flexible grassy open space Programming can include farmer’s markets, outdoor exercise classes, and community yard sales Safe drop-off area and nearby accessible parking Master/Sector Plan Examples: Adopted - White Flint, Proposed – White Oak Science Gateway
Subcategory Urban Greenway Linear parks that provide trails or wide landscaped walkways and bikeways and may include other recreational and natural amenities May occur along road rights of way or “paper” streets Include space for vegetative ground cover and trees Link other green spaces, trails and natural systems Examples: Existing - Glenmont - 14 PARK PLANNING & STEWARDSHIP DIVISION
Urban Park Classification Revisions Category: Community Use Urban Park Serves residents and workers in urban neighborhoods and districts May be programmed for more localized events, but not countywide events No parking on the park property
Subcategories Urban Buffer Park Neighborhood Green Community Use Urban Recreational Park
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Urban Park Classification Revisions Category: Community Use Urban Park Subcategory Urban Buffer Park
Battery Lane Urban Park, Bethesda
Serves as a green buffer at the edges of urban, high density development adjacent to lower density residential areas Green space within which residents and workers of an urban area may relax and recreate Typically include landscaping, sitting/picnic areas, play equipment, courts, and shelters Minimum size is ¼ acre Examples: Existing - several in Silver Spring, Bethesda
Bethesda CBD
Subcategory Neighborhood Green Serves residents and workers from the surrounding neighborhood or district, but may be designed for more activity than an urban buffer park Formally planned, flexible open spaces for informal gathering, lunchtime relaxation, or small special event gatherings Typically contain lawn area, shaded seating and may include a play area, a skate spot, a community garden, or similar neighborhood facilities Minimum size is ¼ acre Examples: Existing – Royce Hanson, Wheaton Veterans. Adopted – White Flint, Takoma Langley, Great Seneca, etc. - 16 PARK PLANNING & STEWARDSHIP DIVISION
Royce Hanson Urban Park
Urban Park Classification Revisions Category: Community Use Urban Park Subcategory Community Use Urban Recreational Park Serves residents and workers from surrounding neighborhood or district More active recreation than an urban buffer park or a neighborhood green Typically contain sport courts, skate spots May include lawn areas, playgrounds or other neighborhood recreation facilities Minimum size is 1/10 acre
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Urban Park Classification Revision PARK TYPE Countywide Urban Parks
PARK TYPE DESCRIPTION TYPICAL FACILITIES* APPROX. SIZE Serve residents, visitors, and workers of an entire urban high-density transit-oriented development area, and may be programmed with numerous activities that attract residents from other parts of the County. Parking is located in structures underground or in nearby public parking lots, garages or along adjoining streets, rather than on-site. Parks may be lighted at night along major walkways and for certain activities such as events, or court sports. Subcategories include Civic Greens, Urban Recreational Parks, and Urban Greenways. CIVIC GREENS Formally planned, flexible, programmable open spaces A central lawn is often the main focus with 1/2 acre that serve as places for informal gathering, quiet adjacent spaces providing complementary uses. minimum contemplation, or large special event gatherings. May include gardens, water features and shade Depending on size, they may support activities including structures. open air markets, concerts, festivals, and special events but are not often used for programmed recreational purposes. COUNTYWIDE URBAN RECREATIONAL PARKS Oriented to the recreational needs of a densely populated May include athletic fields, playing courts, Varies neighborhood and business district. They provide space for picnicking, dog parks, sitting areas and flexible many activities. grassy open space. Programming can include farmer’s markets, outdoor exercise classes, and community yard sales. There is space for a safe drop-off area and nearby accessible parking for those who cannot walk to the park. URBAN GREENWAYS Linear parks that provide trails or wide landscaped walkways and bikeways and may include other recreational and natural amenities. May occur along road rights of way or “paper” streets.
* This list is not all-inclusive, but includes facilities typical of each park type. PARK PLANNING & STEWARDSHIP DIVISION
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Trails, walkways and bikeways, with extra space Varies for vegetative ground cover and trees. Should link other green spaces, trails and natural systems.
Urban Park Classification Revisions Proposed Park Classification System PARK TYPE
PARK TYPE DESCRIPTION
TYPICAL FACILITIES*
APPROX. SIZE
- Conservation Oriented Parks Stream Valley Parks
Interconnected linear parks along major stream valleys providing conservation and recreation areas.
Hiker-biker trails, fishing, picnicking, playground areas.
Varies
Large natural areas acquired to preserve specific natural archaeological Trails, fishing areas, nature study areas, informal picnic Conservation Area Parks or historic features. They also provide opportunities of compatible Varies areas. recreation activities. Serve residents and workers in urban neighborhoods and districts. These parks may be programmed for more localized events, but not countywide Community Use Urban events. No parking is available on the park property. Subcategories include Urban Buffer Parks, Neighborhood Greens and Community Use Urban Parks Recreational Parks..
URBAN BUFFER PARKS Serve as green buffers at the edges of urban, high density development Landscaping, sitting/picnic areas, play equipment, courts, adjacent to lower density residential areas. They provide a green space and shelters. within which residents and workers of an urban area may relax and recreate.
1/4 acre Minimum
NEIGHBORHOOD GREENS Serve the residents and workers from the surrounding neighborhood or Lawn area, shaded seating and pathways. May include a district, but may be designed for more activity than an urban buffer play area, a skate spot, a community garden, or similar park. These formally planned, flexible open spaces serve as places for neighborhood facilities. informal gathering, lunchtime relaxation, or small special event gatherings.
1/4 acre Minimum
COMMUNITY USE URBAN RECREATIONAL PARK These parks serve the residents and workers from the surrounding neighborhood or district, and are designed for more active recreation than an urban buffer park or a neighborhood green
Neighborhood Parks Local Parks Neighborhood Conservation Areas
Sport courts, skate spots, and may include lawn areas, playgrounds or similar neighborhood recreation facilities.
1/10 acre Minimum
Small parks providing informal recreation in residential areas.
Play equipment, play field, sitting area, shelter, tennis and Multi-use courts. (Do not include regulation size ballfields).
2.5 Acre
Larger parks that provide ballfields and both programmed and unprogrammed recreation facilities.
Ballfields, play equipment, tennis and multi-use courts, sitting/picnic area, shelters, buildings and other facilities.
15 Acre
Small parcels of conservation oriented parkland in residential areas, generally dedicated at the time of subdivision.
Generally undeveloped, may include a storm water management pond and related facilities.
Varies
* This list is not all-inclusive, but includes facilities typical of each park type. PARK PLANNING & STEWARDSHIP DIVISION
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Vision 2030 Survey Results Facilities ranked by importance of adding, expanding, or improving 1.
Community Recreation Centers
2.
Indoor Aquatic Centers
3.
Playgrounds
4.
Natural Surface Trails
5.
Hard Surface Trails
6.
Natural Areas
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Service Delivery Geographies
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Needs Estimated by Geographic Areas Countywide Needs
Athletic Field Area Needs
Planning Area Needs
Recreation / Aquatic Centers Trails Natural Areas Dog Parks Picnic Shelters / Group Picnic Areas Cultural Resources Ice Rinks Skate Parks Volleyball Courts Cricket Fields Civic Greens Community Open Space Urban Wooded Areas
Adult Rectangular Fields Youth Rectangular Fields Baseball Fields Adult Softball Diamonds Youth Softball Diamonds
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Playgrounds Basketball Courts Tennis Courts
Service Delivery Strategies FACILITY V2030 SURVEY RANK
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Type
CALCULATION OF NEED Method /Data Source
Skateboarding Participation Facilities rates from State Planning Survey, 2003
SERVICE DELIVERY
2005 Inventory
2011 Inventor y
Add’l Need by 2022
0
6.5
10
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Service Delivery Strategy
Give priority to South Central Area (Vision 2030, MNCPPC, 2011) where level of service per population is lowest. Locate within safe walking distance of middle or high schools, in areas of higher population density. Provide three types of facilities defined by size, platform, and service area, with priority to be given to mid-size (10k-15k sq.’) skate parks in local parks, and larger skate parks (15k-20k sq.’) in regional and recreational parks. Provide smaller skate spots (5k-10k sq.’) in urban and neighborhood Parks.
Sample Service Delivery Strategy Skateboarding Facilities There are 6.5 Countywide skate parks and skate spots, including those in municipalities Vision 2030 Strategic Plan Guidance Address the growing demand for skateboarding facilities, especially in urban areas
PROS Service Delivery Plan Guidance Address the growing demand for skateboarding facilities, especially in urban areas Identify opportunities to add in areas of greatest need Give priority to South Central Area where level of service per population is lowest. Locate within safe walking distance of middle or high schools, in areas of higher population density. Provide three types of facilities defined by size, platform, and service area, with priority to be given to mid-size skate parks in local parks, and larger skate parks in regional and recreational parks. Provide smaller skate spots in urban and neighborhood Parks. - 24 PARK PLANNING & STEWARDSHIP DIVISION
Sample Service Delivery Strategy Service Analysis  Skateboarding 1/2 - 1 mi radius from High Schools and Middle Schools
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Example Recreation Department Service Delivery Strategies Survey Rank #1 and #2 Combined Community Recreation and Aquatic Multipurpose Centers Add fewer, larger centers, and combine typical elements of Community Recreation Centers and Aquatic Centers into combined structures. Redefine 2 existing and add 2 additional strategically located, combined Community Recreation and Aquatic Multipurpose Center projects to serve the North & South Central Sub-Areas. CALCULATION OF NEED
V2030 SURVEY RANK
FACILITY TYPE
1
Combined Community Recreation and Aquatic Multipurpose Centers
2
Indoor Aquatic Centers
METHOD /DATA SOURCE
Per Montgomery County Recreation Facility Development Plan 2010-2030, (MCRD, 2011)
2011 INVENTORY
ADD’L NEED BY 2022
PROS COUNTYWIDE - Indoor Facilities 0 4 Add fewer, larger centers, and combine typical elements of Community Recreation Centers and Aquatic Centers into combined structures, (Vision 2030, M-NCPPC, 2011). Redefine two existing and add two additional strategically located combined Community Recreation and Aquatic Multipurpose Center projects to serve the North & South Central Sub-Areas 4
0
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COUNTYWIDE SERVICE DELIVERY
See above
Natural Resources Stewardship New Natural Resource Management Plan Provides guidance for protection of specific natural resources in the Park System
Operation and Use Plans Natural Areas
Proposed Work Program Natural Resource Management Plan finished by end of FY 12 Operation and Use Plans for all Best Natural Areas, Biodiversity Areas, and 3 downcounty Stream Valley Parks by the end of FY 18
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Cultural Resources Stewardship Continue to tell the county’s story through its best 8-10 public interpretive sites, including, but not limited to: Woodlawn Manor and the Underground Railroad Experience Trail
Oakley Cabin Josiah Henson Special Park Bussard Farm at the Agricultural History Farm Park
Continue to use the Cultural Resources Asset Inventory Database to make management decisions. The top 20-25 properties in the inventory at any given time should be considered the priority sites for funding, preservation, and potentially programming.
The program needs facility managers for historic sites open to the public, archaeologists, and architects. The operating budget currently lacks sufficient funding to hire additional personnel that are needed for the Cultural Resources Program.
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Agricultural Land Preservation Established and met a goal of protecting 70,000 acres of farmland (71,622 acres through 2010) Promote the Building Lot Termination (BLT) Program as a method of farmland preservation Assist in development of the Zoning Code Rewrite to ensure protection of agricultural land
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Agricultural Preservation PROS 2012 Strategies in Support of Agricultural Land Use Maximize agricultural acreage under easement
Support viability and vitality of the agricultural sector Expand efforts in public education so that farming is understood as a desirable and essential way of life Advocate that the Zoning Code Rewrite incorporate protection of agricultural land for agricultural uses Continue support for easement programs and critical areas for Legacy Open Space easements.
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How does PROS guide our other plans? Service Delivery Strategies for Countywide Plans Countywide Park Trails Plan
Park Recommendations in Community Master/Sector Plans Urban Park Plans and Guidelines Master Plans for Individual Parks and Trail Corridors
Site Selection Studies Repurposing and Renovation Studies Programs of Requirement to guide Facility Plans CIP Prioritization
Recreation Facility Development Plan, 20102030
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Role of Vision 2030, PROS, and MCRFDP in Planning
PROS Vision 2030 MCRFDP 2010-2030
Community Master Plans, Site Selection Studies, Functional Master Plans
Park Plans
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CIP Sorting
Facility Planning, Design, Construction
Next Steps Park Plans to implement the 2012 PROS Plan Urban Parks Guidelines Countywide Park Trail Plan Amendment Natural Resource Management Plan for Natural Areas in M-NCPPC Parkland Athletic Field Study Implementation Plan System-wide site selection for facilities with unmet needs: dog parks, community open space, skate parks, and community gardens
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Next Steps - Urban Parks Analyze Amount of Parks and Open Space per Population
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Next Steps - Implementation Plan Develop Program of Requirements and site selection criteria, with input from park users/advocates, park operations staff, and private sector developers
Evaluate existing parks for underutilized or developable areas Evaluate private sector developments for public use areas Identify potential future park sites Identify priority amenities in urban area master or sector plans and amenity fund lists
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Next Steps - Fields Athletic Field Study Analyze field use to better assess the demand and deliver the service of athletic fields Re-balance the existing mix of athletic fields to better fit current needs for rectangle and diamond fields Strategically repurpose some existing diamond fields Increase the number of rectangular fields to meet growing demand for a variety of sports played on rectangular fields
Locate enough of the right type of fields close to field users
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Summary Right amount and types of open space for increasingly urbanized county Right balance of resource-based and facility-based recreation Renovation and repurposing over building new Focus on facilities that people value the most Stewardship of our natural, cultural and agricultural resources
Give decision makers the information and strategies to establish priorities in an era of high competition for limited resources
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Silver Spring Existing Parks
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Thank you.
ParkPlanning.org MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/rec - 39 PARK PLANNING & STEWARDSHIP DIVISION