2013-040 Adopting a Parks Master Plan for the City of Paris

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Greenbelts Greenbelts or greenbelt parkways are linear parks that are typically developed around a natural resource such as a creek, river, utility easement or lake shore. Not only does a greenbelt system preserve valuable open space and natural habitats, it ties the park systems' components together to form a cohesive park environment. Greenbelt corridors of less than fifty (50) "useable" feet wide should be avoided and narrow corridor sections kept to a minimum. One - hundred foot corridor widths and wider give flexibility in design and are encouraged wherever possible. (Example - Trail De Paris) Natural Areas Natural areas are spaces containing ecosystems in a non - disturbed state with minimal man -made intrusions. Natural areas lend a certain aesthetic and functional diversity to a park network and urban landscape. Although the benefits of natural areas are hard to quantify, they are numerous and include preservation of wildlife habitats, opportunities for nature study and encourage environmental health in the community. When flood plains are preserved as natural areas, they offer a resource to aid in the protection from flooding. There are no national standards for natural areas within a city due to the extreme variations found in natural resources from region to region. (Example - Lake Crook Park) Each park category serves a unique purpose: • Pocket and ornamental parks enhance the visual image of the community and can provide a minimal recreational amenity in older neighborhoods where park land was never acquired. • Playground parks are typically small in size and provide a playground and lawn area. • Neighborhood parks serve as a family- oriented gathering place for neighborhoods. • Community parks provide a mix of active, passive and primitive recreational (hiking, camping, horseback riding, etc) opportunities and lighted sports fields. • Special use parks provide a specific venue and are devoted to one or two uses - typically sports. • Greenbelts are natural areas usually containing a pedestrian trail that ties other park types together. • Natural areas provide a visual escape from the built environment and aid in preserving Paris' ecosystem. 7 Cif of Paris Parks, Recreation & Open Space Master Plan 2013 -2023 Page 9