HomeMy WebLinkAbout10A Future Parks Utilization StudyPRIL
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4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE:
FEBRUARY 22, 2011
AGENDA #:
10A
PREPARED BY:
STEVE ALBRECHT, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
PRESENTER:
STEVE ALBRECHT
AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REPORT ON THE FUTURE PARKS
UTILIZATION STUDY
DISCUSSION: Introduction
City staff is currently working with the Parks Advisory Committee (PAC) on
a Future Parks Utilization Study. The purpose of this report is to get
feedback and direction from the City Council on the desired content of the
study.
H isto rV
The City Council has previously asked questions about the City's Park
System and its future replacement via the Neighborhood Park Equipment
Replacement Plan. The predominant questions have been, what will and
should our neighborhood parks look like in the future; and are we
adequately funding that anticipated future use. In 2010, the PAC identified
the Future Parks Utilization Study as a goal and anticipated it could take up
to two years to complete.
Current Circumstances
Since last year, the PAC and City staff have been analyzing existing
neighborhood parks to determine the best future use and the cost
implications of those uses. Based on staff and budget constraints, we
believe a preliminary report can be completed by July 2011 unless we have
misunderstood the scope of the study the majority of the Council is
seeking.
Prior to proceeding with the study staff needs formal City Council direction
on the desired content of the study.
The proposed process is to evaluate all of the neighborhood parks for
future use and to recommend modifications that best meet the City's
anticipated future needs. This could mean that an active park becomes
passive. It could mean that current park activities and equipment are traded
out to address the needs of users with different demographics than the
present. A cost analysis that compares the current programmed
replacement with the proposed future use will be completed. This cost
analysis will include capital and maintenance components.
Conclusion
The City Council should provide direction on the content of the study to
insure it is completed as directed.
ISSUES: Because the City Council has not formally provided input on the study and
desired contents, staff needs additional direction at this time.
The study will focus on the long range planning for neighborhood parks and
will only include community parks in cases where those facilities provide a
neighborhood component.
The study will make recommendations for future changes to City parks.
The City Council will need to define a public involvement process for the
study. While this plan will provide valuable financial planning information,
the recommended changes wouldn't begin until replacement is required in
the future. Park needs and equipment will continue to evolve in the future
as the community demographics and technology change. The residents
impacted by these future changes may not live in the City at this time.
Staff believes this plan will serve as a template for evaluating future park
needs. If the City Council decides to alter the future plans for the City's
park system, an update to the City's 2030 Parks Plan and Comprehensive
plan will be required.
FINANCIAL This study will allow the City Council to evaluate whether the City is
IMPACT: adequately funding the Neighborhood Parks Replacement program based
on anticipated replacement.
ALTERNATIVES: 1) Provide additional direction to staff on desired report content.
RECOMMENDED Alternative No. 1.
MOTION:
Reviewed b'
Frank BW1es Ci�y Manager
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CADocuments and Settings \cgreen\My Documents\SharePoint DraftsTuture Parks Use agenda.doc 2