Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Facilities Master Plan SmithGroup JJR / Mark Robinson & Associates / Dr. Gene Brothers Wolf, Keens & Company Town

Parks, Recreation & Cultural ResourcesFacilities Master Plan

SmithGroup JJR / Mark Robinson & Associates / Dr. Gene BrothersWolf, Keens & Company

Town of Cary, North Carolina

January 28, 2003

Public Input Meeting

Town of Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Facilities Master Plan

Parks and Greenways Components

Organization Chart


Kate Sullivan, ASLA

Mark Robinson & Assoc.

Principal-in-Charge

Landscape Architects

Mark Robinson, Principal Amy Mackintosh, Landscape Arch.

Dr. Gene Brothers

Survey Research, Recreation Analysis

Dr. Gene Brothers, Assoc. Prof.

SmithGroup JJR

Landscape Architects, Planners, Engineers & Environmental Scientists

Eric Bardenhagen, – Landscape Arch

Community Involvement

Quality Assurance

Doug McRainey, Principal Planner

Town of CaryDept. of Parks, Recreation

and Cultural Resources


Cultural Arts Component

Organization Chart


Marc Goldring

Wolf, Keens & Co.Community Involvement

Arts Groups

Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Supervisor

Town of CaryDept. of Parks, Recreation

and Cultural Resources


Town of Cary Park and Recreation Facilities Master Plan – Proposed Work Plan

UPDATE

Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June

1. Inventory and Analysis

2. Parks Satisfaction Assessment Survey

3. Review and Update Level of Service (LOS)

4. Recommended Guidelines for Greenway Corridors

5. Recommendations for New Parks and Facilities

6. Implementation Program and Funding Strategies

7. Produce Facilities Master Plan Document

1. Use and Needs Analysis

2. Inventory/Assessment of Existing Facilities

3. Market Analysis/Demand Modeling

4. Comparative Models Study

5. Evaluation and Feasibility Analysis of Facilities

6. Capital Program Development

7. Capital Budget for Cultural Facilities

Public Involvement and Coordination= Meetings =Teleconference/Net Meeting

a) Kick-off Meeting

b) Team Review Meetings with PRCR Staff

c) Community Open House Events (2-October 2002; 28 January 2003)

d) Focus Group Sessions

e) Preliminary Document Review

f) Final Draft Review

g) Final Draft Presentation to Town Council

Parks & School/Parks and Greenways Components

Cultural Arts Component


Public InputPublic Input

What We’ve Heard…

Participation in the October meeting was an overwhelming success!

Overall, Cary residents are very happy with their Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources system and want facilities that will make it an even better system.

Major Themes:

•Provide a diverse range of facilities and activities for residents of all ages

•Provide more opportunities for passive recreation

oWalking, hiking and fitness trails

oGardens

oPublic art works

oNature-focused activities



• Establish a comprehensive and interconnected greenway trail system

o Place a primary focus on off-road corridors, continuity, and circuits

o Augment off-road trails with multi-use trails adjacent to roadways and

sidewalk connectors

o Encourage cooperation between public and private entities

o Link trails to key attractions

o Develop neighborhood access points

o Develop trail heads with adequate parking facilities

o Enhance system recognition and wayfinding



• Integrate and incorporate art into greenways and parks

• Provide facilities that are easily and safely accessible from neighborhoods

• Develop a network of new and renovated facilities that address the interests of residents to participate in and observe the cultural arts

o Indoor and outdoor performing arts venues

o Exhibition spaces

o Classroom facilities

o Office Space

o Studio/rehearsal space



• Partner with local corporations, adjacent municipalities, school

districts, and non-profit organizations in the creation of new facilities

• Provide a greater range of facilities in downtown Cary

• Strive to provide a greater range of specialty facilities, including:

o Aquatic center

o Dog parks

o Disc golf course

o Table tennis facilities


Goals and ObjectivesGoals and Objectives

Goals of the Master Plan (2003)The following goals define specific ways in which this vision can be achieved.

1. Provide a balance of cultural arts, active recreation, and passive recreation facilities and programs that fulfill the current and future recreation needs of Cary residents.

• Utilize the user preference survey and public input to identify demand for facilities in response to Citizen input.

• Utilize the CIP to allocate resources to develop and maintain park, recreation and cultural arts facilities in response to public demand.

• Respond to changing use patterns and local and national leisure trends

(For Steering Committee)



2. Provide facilities and programs that respond to the diverse recreational and cultural arts needs of our residents, regardless of age or ability.

• Integrate universal design within all facility development in order to serve the needs of all citizens.

• Provide facilities with adequate numbers of appropriately trained staff and personnel.

• Integrate purpose-built cultural arts components into both planned recreational facilities and stand-alone cultural facilities.

• Continue and expand the public art program to include a full range of works in sites throughout the Town.

• Offer a balance of cultural arts uses to meet the needs of Cary residents of all ages and levels of abilities in facilities and spaces that offer participatory as well as observational cultural arts experiences.



3. Establish public/private partnerships with developers, nonprofit organizations, local corporations and citizens to encourage park, recreation and cultural arts facilities development.

• Establish a system of tracking and coordinating grants, donations and public/private partnerships in order to promote facility development while controlling public costs.

4. Continue to seek intergovernmental partnerships with Wake and adjacent counties, municipalities, and the County school system to encourage joint development of facilities.

• In each new facility development, look for opportunities to fulfill the goals of counties and municipalities, and the County school system in order to create “win-win” solutions.

• Ensure that all partnerships allow for the Town’s full participation from the earliest design stages and include active engagement of relevant users in project planning and design.



5. Provide a comprehensive greenway system that allows all residents safe and convenient access to park, recreation and cultural arts facilities and promotes alternative transportation opportunities.

• Encourage alternative transportation by providing linkages among existing greenways,on-road bikeways and sidewalks to key destinations within the Town

• Augment off-road trails with multi-use trails adjacent to roadways and sidewalk connectors.

• Place a primary focus on off-road corridors, continuity and circuits.

• Encourage cooperation between public and private entities regarding trail usage and development

• Enhance system recognition through well defined neighborhood access points, trail heads and wayfinding signage

• Enlarge and maintain the collection of public art works throughout the Town of Cary using the greenway system as sites for art works.



6. Provide facilities that promote the Town’s sustainability goals by developing environmentally sensitive design principles

• Enhance existing park facilities through the refurbishment and/or replacement of existing amenities to accommodate changing user needs (e.g. extended hours of operation and new recreation trends).

• Develop greenways with specific standards that ensure the safety of trail users and in a manner that allows safe passage of residents to their neighborhood park where crossings of non-residential roads are necessary.

• Focus on developing neighborhood parks that are safely accessible within a one mile walking distance by residents in surrounding neighborhoods in order to provide a base set of active and passive recreational opportunities.



6. continued

• Encourage the incorporation of sustainable construction and maintenance techniques (e.g. the use of recycled materials, native plantings, streambank stabilization).

• Protect wetlands, woodlands and other natural areas and wildlife habitats as green infrastructure.

• Utilize water conservation strategies and best management practices

• Utilize life-cycle costing to evaluate and select for cost effective

construction maintenance options.



7. Provide facilities that honor and enhance the Cary’s open space by providing natural areas and preserves, buffers and linkages to the open space system.

• Develop a stewardship program within the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department to facilitate management of natural resources and to promote environmental education.

• Work in partnership with Wake County and adjacent municipalities to identify lands that can provide open space linkages to connect open space systems and to contribute to the overall County Open Space Plan.

• Set aside approximately one third of lands in new park development to be held in their natural condition and carry a stewardship plan.

• Use public art works and design considerations to enhance the connections between open space, historic resources and cultural assets



8. Allow for the future flexible development of land; based on variations between facilities, unique natural features, community needs and existing adjacent facilities

• Create signature parks that offer natural resources, activities or amenities that are seen as unique within the region

• During the selection of activities, programming or amenities within a new facility, review the activities, programming and amenities at adjacent facilities so that users have the opportunity for varied experiences

• Reserve lands within existing or proposed parks to fulfill future recreational trends and needs that will become known as Cary’s population and demographics evolve.



Goals of the Master Plan (2003)The following goals define specific ways in which this vision can be achieved.

1. Provide a balance of cultural arts, active recreation, and passive recreation facilities

2. Provide facilities and programs that respond to diverse needs

3. Establish public/private partnerships

4. Continue to seek intergovernmental partnerships

5. Provide a comprehensive greenway system

(for Public Meeting)



6. Provide facilities that promote the Town’s sustainability goals by developing environmentally sensitive design principles

7. Provide facilities that honor and enhance the Cary’s open space

8. Allow for the future flexible development of leisure facilities and Master Plan each facility for optimal use


Open Space SystemOpen Space System

Classification recommendations honor the Town of Cary Open Space and Historic Resources Plan (OSHRP)

• Parks and greenways are a component within the OSHRP.

Open Space Classifications (OSHRP):

Preserve (e.g. Hemlock Bluffs)• Large contiguous parcels• Restricted access• Mission of preservation• No direct greenway trail access• Natural resource management program required


Natural Area(includes Greenway Corridors)

• Naturalistic in character• Passive recreation welcome• Linear and non-linear parcels• Provide water quality benefits via stream buffering• Includes current greenway corridors• May include greenway trail access and connection points• May include an environmental education component

Scenic Area• Associated with State or Federally recognized protected sites, cultural

landscapes or landmark structures• Intended for viewshed protection• Intended to maintain existing character of landscape or significant

sequences such as gateways into Town.



Parks and Recreation Areas

• Active and Passive recreation focus

• Multi-use trail systemo Greenway trailso Urban Pathways

Greenways (to be consolidated into Natural Areas & Parks and Recreation)



Stewardship To better manage natural areas within the Open Space System a stewardship program is recommended

• Expand natural resource management and interpretation expertise

• Coordinate with Public Works Department

• Use an “Ecosystem Approach” as used by Wake County

• Work in tandem with similar programs at the County level



Parks ClassificationsParks Classifications

Previous Classification (1998 Plan) Current Recommendation (2003 Plan

Mini Park

Neighborhood Park

Community Park

Metro Park

Special Use Facility

----

Neighborhood Park

Community Park

Metro Park

Special Use Facility

Multi-Use Trail System



Changes from the 1998 PlanNeighborhood Park

• 5-20 acres

• Serve a 1 mile radius

Typical Activities: • Playground• Basketball court• Paved or unpaved walking trails• Sand volleyball court• Free play areas• Multi-purpose court• Soccer field• Buffer or undeveloped lands to

remain natural

• 5-20 acre size (adjusted from 10-20 ac)

• Greater emphasis on passive activities

• Avoid interruption of the one mile service radius by a high-volume non-residential street



Community Park

•25 to 100 acres

•Serve a 2 mile radius

Typical Activities:

• Greater emphasis on active recreation

• Responsive to national recreational trends or unique Town needs

• Serve as a Neighborhood Park

• Approximately one third of land to be set aside in a natural condition

• Prime locations for special use facilities development

• Neighborhood Park activities

• Picnic shelters

• Baseball/softball fields

• Tennis courts

• Aquatic center

• Community Center

• Unique recreational facilities (i.e. Cary

Sk8 Park, in-line hockey rinks) Outdoor

music or drama venues

Changes from the 1998 Plan



Metro Park

•300+ acres

•Serve the entire community

Typical Activities:

• Serve as hubs of the Multi-UseTrail System

• Serve as a Neighborhood Park

• Approximately one third of land to be set aside in a natural condition• Community Park activities

• Boating/fishing lake

• Amphitheater and/or indoor music or drama venues

• Greenway pathway system trailhead




Special Use Facilities

• Serve the entire community

• Wide Range of individual facilities

For example:

• Stevens Nature Center• Cary Tennis Center

• Reclassify many Community and Metro Parks

• (e.g.Cary Senior Center and Bond Park Community Center should be classified as a part of Bond Park)

• (e.g.Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve would become a Preserve within the OSHRP)

• Developed as part of a of new Community Park to share infrastructure and development costs.




Multi-Use Trail System

Greenway Trails

• A trail facility that links open spaces and provides recreational access through natural areas (Greenways

• Trails can be paved or unpaved Urban Pathways

• Paved pathways located adjacent to roadways (including sidewalk connectors) that provide recreational and commuter access to key destinations

• New definition of the Greenways classification

• Existing and planned greenway corridors are recommended to be re-classified as Natural Areas



Cultural Arts Observations

• Interest in children and seniors, activities close to home

• What do people want in Cary? What will they travel to?

• Need for “serious amateur” level performance/exhibition space

• There is some interest in developing a regional venue in Cary

• Balance between renovated space and providing “purpose-built” options

• Pattern in Cary: where there is strong SUPPLY, demand has grown – the issue of “FAMILIARITY.”

Cultural Arts Cultural Arts


School Parks Update

•19 school sites were inventoried and analyzed for school park development potential

•Schematic plans for school park development have been prepared for nine school sites

•The sites were chosen for their potential for facility development and/or their location in areas of Town not adequately served by other park sites

•Schematic plans include athletic field development where possible and neighborhood components such as

playgrounds and shelters

School ParksSchool Parks


Greenways and Multi-Use Trails (Greenways) Update

• The goals and objectives of the 1998 plan have been reviewed and refined by the Greenway Committee

• The Greenway Committee has met twice to thoroughly review and provide input about how to improve and expand the trail system

• Off-road greenway corridors will be added wherever feasible

• Multi-use trails along roadways will be used to further link greenways and provide trail routes where natural corridors are not available

• Sidewalk connectors will be utilized on a limited basis to enhance connectivity within the trail system

Greenways and Multi-Use TrailsGreenways and Multi-Use Trails


Citizen Preference SurveyCitizen Preference Survey

Methodology:

Evaluate participation in a variety of recreational and cultural activities

Evaluate interest in a variety of recreational and cultural activities

• 5000 surveys mailed – Random sample

• 22% response rate – Good

• Respondents were consistent with 2000 census data

• Age distributions were adjusted for differences from census data

• Determination of latent demand (difference between interest and participation)


Results: Recreation

Households within Cary averaged over 30 trips to parks per year

For the average resident, the nearest park is 3.27 miles from home.

• 67.3% of park visitors traveled by car

• 26.5% walked to the park

• 5.2% arrived by bicycle



Results: Recreation

Interest and participation responses show a great desire to participate in passive recreational activities

(extreme/very high interest)

• 69.9% Walking along a trail

• 68.6% Walking a greenway

• 64.6% Walk in a natural area

Other Notable Recreation Activities:

• 53.6% Swimming in a pool

• 49.3% Picnicking with family

• 39.8% Indoor performances



Results: Recreation

The latent demand for recreational activities was most significant for eight activities.

• Walking in a natural area

• Swimming in a pool

• Picnicking with family

• Viewing wildllife

• Canoeing/Rowing

• Fitness classes

• Home/Garden classes

• Horseback riding



Results: Cultural Arts

With many fewer cultural venues in Cary, all respondents reported visiting all arts and cultural facilities an average of seven times in the past year.

Average

Art/Cultural Facility Frequency

Herbert C. Young Community Center 8.2

Cary Senior Center in Bond Park 7.8

Bond Park Community Center 7.1

Page-Walker Arts & History Center 5.3

Jordan Hall Arts Center 4.8

Amphitheatre at Regency Park 2.5



Activities/Events with High Frequency of Participation

• Local choir/vocal group .77

• Local community music group .67

• Music classes, especially for children .58

• Dance classes, especially for children .71

• Concert by a popular artist .61

• Arts/crafts exhibition/fair .66

• Fine arts museum exhibition .84

• History museum exhibition .46



Activities/events with Notable Expressed Interest

• Touring Broadway 2.5

• Professional theatre 2.1

• Local music group 1.5

• Local theatre group 1.9

• Classes/workshops (especially for youth) 1.3

• Concert by a popular artist 2.7

• Arts/crafts exhibition/fair 2.1

• Fine arts museum exhibition 2.0

• History museum exhibition 1.9




Activities/Events with High Unfulfilled Interest

Community theatre

Professional theatre

comedy

one-person show

drama

Classes/workshops of all disciplines

HOWEVER: many other activities/events have somewhat lower unfulfilled interest. This suggests that there is opportunity for flexibility in designing programs/facilities around core priorities.


SurveySurvey

Using the Data:

• Helps to shape facilities recommendations and long range plans

• Provides a quantitative foundation upon which to build with public and staff qualitative input

• Provides an updated set of information consistent with past data collection methods which enable trend identification


PUBLIC PARTICIPATIONPUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Tonight’s Format:• Three Breakout Areas (Cultural Arts, Parks & School

Parks, Greenways)

• Offer input regarding particular topics within each

• Re-convene and briefly summarize input received

• Fill out a comment sheet

Parks, Recreation & Cultural ResourcesFacilities Master Plan

SmithGroup JJR / Mark Robinson & Associates / Dr. Gene BrothersWolf, Keens & Company


Documents

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Facilities Master Plan SmithGroup JJR / Mark Robinson & Associates / Dr. Gene Brothers Wolf, Keens & Company Town