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Comprehensive Plan, City of Paris, Texas Future Land Use Agricultural Agricultural lands where higher densities are not appropriate, or where flood plain limits development. Long-Term Development Projected land uses in long-term growth areas, subject to future annexations andlor adequate public facility extensions; under extraterritorial subdivision control in the interim. Central Area District Central retail area. PARKS AND RECREATION One of the most visible measures of the quality of life in a community is the park system. Parks and recreational facilities provide opportunities for exercise and relaxation as well as a visual and psychic break from the routine of daily life. The City of Paris maintains the area's public parklands. A benchmark or standard needs to be applied to identify existing deficiencies andlor surplus of available facilities. In order to determine the deficiencies and surpluses of existing facilities within the City of Paris the minimum standards for recreational activities set forth by the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) were used. This standard gives a baseline benchmark by which to compare a City's population to the number of facilities available. It is important to note that the NRPA standards are just that, a baseline, and each comparison must be made in the context of each individual community and its specific nature and makeup. The first step in analyzing the adequacy of a park system is to review the type, size and location of existing park land. Different types of parks serve different functions in the community and each type has its own requirement for size, location and equipment. In general, there are three basic types of parks. These three types are community parks, neighborhood parks and linear parks. The following is a detailed description of the function of each: Neighborhood Park: A neighborhood park provides both active and passive recreation for all participants. The intent is to serve an area or neighborhood with a population of 4,000 to 6,000 persons. Ideally, neighborhood parks should provide a wide range of recreational opportunities, including ball diamonds, hard-surfaced courts (i.e. tennis, basketball), volleyball, play areas and other such facilities. Not all of the park, however, must be fully developed. A part may be left as a natural area where users are free to use their imaginations and creativity in pursuit of recreational activities. As neighborhood parks are intended to serve all participants, provisions should be made for older citizens as well as the physically or mentally disabled users. A neighborhood park should serve a one-mile radius and should be a 5A98288%wPOtinul mrxm 2-01.dk>c 46 BwR