08 - Parks Master Plan UpdateItem No. 8
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM: John Godwin, City Manager
SUBJECT: PARKS, RECREATION, & OPENS SPACE MASTER 1111,AN UPDATE
DATE: April 1, 2018
BACKGROUND: The city adopted a Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Master Plan in.
December 201.3 for the planning period 2013-23. The plan was prepared by MIJS Planning &
Design, using a grant to pay most of the consulting fecs. We have made some progress on the
plan, though only minimal funding was available until last summer's successful bond election.
STATUS OF ISSUE: We are due for a five-year update, and a draft plan update has been
assembled by the city's parks work group towards that purpose. This draft of new Sections 7 and
8 is attached; changes and additions from the 2013 plan are marked ill blue for easy reference.
We need council 1"cedback, but also want to open this to public Input as well, over the course of
two different meetings. Our goal is to formally adopt the plan revision at the City Council's May
14 meeting, preparatory to submitting a request to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for a
matching developi-rrent grant.
BUDGET: NA.
RECOMMENDATION. Receive public and council input.
'rhe following table represents the projected recreational facilities priorities for the Paris park
System. "These priorities are based on the needs analysis, citizen survey, public input meetings,
focus group input, city staff, the City of Paris Citizen Advisory Committee and professional
opinion, including, revisions madc M 2018 fioHowirig close reviem by a city staff parks Nvork
proup and opporh,iniUcs f6r iddifion,al citizen inpia,
Priority
Facility
I
2
Playgrounds
Spray ground/Small water park
3
Multi-purpose trails
4
5
Picnic shelters/pavilions
Picnic areas
6
7
Nature trails
Lawn areas for general play
8
Indoor recreation center
9
10
11
Botanical/flower gardens
Swimming pool/natatorium
Dog park
12
Water features (creeks, small lakes, ete.)
13
Nature areas
14
15
Bandstand/amphitheater
Tennis courts
I
The following actions are recommended to be implemented within the next ten years to ensure that the
parks and open space system continues to meet the recreational needs of the city,
New Parks
Acquire and develop land at the southwest cornet- of Main Street and Graham Street. Property
-mr C'ouril
acqi,Jrcd and: cicarcd through an H. -A, v,°fth Lan
- Construct large open green lawn.
- Plant trees and landscaping.
Construct Wagon. monument.
0 Acquire natural open spaces to be preserved as the opportunities are available,
Existing Parks
r
Coni'[1, cstruct a spray ground. 'ity N&,orked closely ",10i flie Firsl Uliitcd Mcthodisl (..'hurch ki
2016 to c.onsiruct ajoint use spray ground on FTJ%U,.' properiy in downtown, The park is Open to
dw public , and includes a restroorn, facility consiructed and maintained by [tic, city.
Provide additional picnicking areas and tables. A picnic arca.t was addcd to L,lke (.'T(rcrk Park
in 2016; Ulu picnic. area at Oak Park was improved in 2018. Acquired and coinp)sled ftmner
T.X1.".)0TPark on US 82W.
Replace playgrounds (older than 15 years old). Added a new playground t(.) Lake 'rook in
p
201 6, PlaygrOLHICIS ant Olik Park, and Wade Park were cornpletely replaccd in will ter/spri ng
2018, utilizing as con.,ibination ot'voter-approved 2017 park bonds arid local Fundraising.
Increase level of maintenance. Stafflevc�,Is in the parks division have been increased by two
F"IT", efTeclive April p, 2018, A(Jded saftAy fencing at 5'u' Street baskethaH court. Fstablishcd
addibonal permanent waler.-creek crossing on, a.irchery lanes; finished building archery
1"Ine's at SP(':Irt's conlplcx property.
Construct multi-purpose and walking trails. Coristrucled new West Paris Trail ( 1,8 1-niles) in
2016-17, using, as TXlata Tgrant (:rf $5,15,193 and matcliing city fibrids, ReCOUISO'Lloed 7,203 linear
feet ofthe 'Frail de Paris. Cornplelcd'Fnail de Paris extension of4,224 feet, using'113"1) grant of
$200,(l00, and city inatching Funds, Crcaied nature trail at L,ake Crook (--3 iniles round trip),
0 Provide additional landscaping including irrigated turf in all parks.
® Provide restroom facilities in high use parks, Constrkjcic:d new rcstroonis dmvnlown and at
OR
c'0y-o\A,,n(,fJ fiairgrounr ]s. 111'rihanced restroonis ah LA(.- ( I rooL
Upgrade existing courts—new surfaces, nets, wind breaks, etc, F'ive existing tennis courts a,a
Culbc.nson Park weire refi.af-)Ished in, 2017. Backstop One court 1:,o be
converted to b,,.W(et.baH in 2018.
Construct lighted lawn areas for sports practice areas within existing parks. So(:,cei goals
added �
at Wise l'ield in 2017-1 also Soccef, and w police & courts bi,01ding,
0 Provide and install attractive lighting at parks for safety,
hnj.�)rov�,.xl Markel Squaiv groamds; ,.id(h'1,d shade shehc,,rat comiauous Skate Park.
t"
Improved Jllazw iiow ADA coaiphaintl- repaircd historic fountain' ijj-)gnuJcd elcclricity and
light'M9,
Upgraded lights and improved landsc,,aplrig at Gatewwy.
0 Irnproved Bywaters Park, im.!]Uding safety auid eleorical eni-iancernents,
Athletic Facilities
The City of Paris needs to work closely with the Optimist Club to provide even more and better
baseball opportunities for the youth. Began )rovidii)g grant funds to club it) 017,
Construct an indoor swimming pool for both competitive and recreation use. Upgnadcd
deleriorating is sucs alcxisting outdoor pool; installed new fencing arid sidewalks-
pL1111PS alld 11 Itcr to be replaced in 2018
EstabBbed in--hOLISC g),,Jfls' softball 1,,-irogram in 20151; addcd F`i0d #7 to Sp(,)Irts oniplex
for softbaall,
Natural Open Space
Preserve the most valuable and aesthetically pleasing natural open spaces. f1rovided better
acccs,,.-.,, to open spaces at Lake Crook and encouragi I ng n-adfiple uses,
Indoor Recreation Center
0 Construct an indoor recreation center at the Sports Complex for multiple recreational
19
opportunities,irn.incial resow%zes n -)ay not ""fllov" city to corisoruct and operate such a
fc�wifily, therefore, the, city MH seok oj,.)Pcwlunkies to partnei wilh otherjurisAiic,6ons t111dY non -
Profits to nlon.!° efficient'ly' Off�,-Y dIUSC 111LIC11-fleeded recreational opportunoics, E. x, � �S i t i
facflifies nuly akio t�e t1le roo"A c1ficicut ""ay create, a 1"unc6onjng center, Work ha,.; becjln to
develop dins soo of fiacitily re-Use(s) andjoint prcq4ranlnling.
Senior Citizens
Provide facilities such as: multi -use trails, nature trails, playgrounds, botanical gat -dens,
picnic shelters/pavilions, benches and pienic areas for senior citizens at all new and upgraded
parks. The (.Jey assumed contt-ol of" 111C f6riller fair association cxbibil hall in 2015, aw,f
hegan passive foC seniors in 2017, Bcrich ,.,Nvingswer(�:� added it Lake ( .rook.
I'lan to acid at gar(Jen phwo sfiol al or near Love, Ovic need n:.t non.-profil [partner to
J'A,an,( and 1-11"Inage"
Maintenance
The City of Paris currently has one maintenance employee for approximately every 25 developed park
acres. In addition, this same staff' maintains all the rights-of-way, medians, ditches and trees on public
land inside the city limits. The staffing levels have slowly been falling behind and need to increase in
order to keep the maintenance of parks and facilities at a high level. The following two bullets are
necessary in order for the city to provide well maintained areas at an efficient cost:
• Prepare and adopt a statistically -based maintenance study that will increase the maintenance staff
and budget as the park system continues to grow. SUiff levels in the parks division have been
incrc,,,,isc,d by two FTE, ive Apri G 1, 2018,
• Develop parks that are not overly rnaintenar)CC intensive by including more natural areas, native
plantings and natural play (play opportunities with limited or no playground equipment), Staff
has adopted an. interruil policy to always tie addc,d staffin,(,n m any newrogra
P . nis, scrvices,
schedUIC.S,
Trails
• Develop trail linkages throughout Paris to connect schools, residential areas, commercial areas,
parks and adjacent communities. Completed two grant. -funded Safe, Routes to Schoa-fl pr(ljeclts,
including bike Lines,
• Construct minor trail and sidewalk connections in order to connect large segments of trails for
better access throughout the community. Used paving rnarkings and signage to conncct West
Paris trail wid Frad de Paris along existing [mved roadways.
• Sidewalks are to be used in conjunction with trails to connect different nodes throughout the
community. (_ I onsiructed 5,300 fed of new sidewak on Grflh,,Iln.
rd
VIII. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
The following table depicts the project priorities with suggested completion dates. It is important to note
that the following schedule is intended to be a flexible guide for the development of parks and
recreational facilities over the next. ten years for the City of Paris. The city should evaluate and take
advantage of any unforeseen opportunities that may arise that are not identified in the schedule or
change the order of implementation if necessary. The information below is organized based on specific
needs from the City of Paris citizens, and rcvi,,,ed in 2018. The general idea is to create one great and
,easily accessible park in each of four mqior areas of the city. This will allow all residents the opportunity
to, recreate at a large redeveloped park within the community. The four specific parks, Wade Park,
Market S(p..iare,, Oak Park, and the Sporls oraptex/Dragon Park, were chosen based on their
locations within the city, size, and community usage.
Beyond the plans ten year time -frame:
As is true of city Alarming in general --of which parks, recreation and open spaces planning is a
component-- -this implementation schedule should be evaluated, modified as necessary, and updated to,
address ten-year periods that begin after 2013, The Texas I -larks, and Wildlife Department suggests tern-
year plans should be updated every five years;, however, the City of Paris should review the plan
annually in order to have a current, meaningful and implementable plan. This will aid the Paris park
system to: continually work to achieve the park plans Goals and Objectives; allow this, plan to remain
current with other City of Paris planning efforts; serve to address on-going financial needs-, address parks
needs in conjunction with future population growth, and keep the users, citizens and businesses
continually aware of the city's conainitirient to achieve and maintain an outstanding parks, recreation
and open space system and program,
Projects Year Estimated cost Possible funding source(s)
I Wade Flark 2018-.22 580,000 HIMI) gnaws
Ne�v playgrounds Gencral Fund appropriadons
Rcr,wvuc pavilion
Soccer field
Walking trail
Open laxvn areas., picxiicareas
Add new sinall pa�Jhon
\k'8ter fi,;WUT'C
2 (Pak Park
Ne", playground
Fenovate pavifion
Signage
I ree plaiairig and laiidscaping
Plan rvso%.,hona da ciht.Y
['riv,ae donath)IIS
Bond proce-eds
flaroersbips
2018-22 300,000 TPWD ttranis
Geriend FLArld dppropriatioris
F'rHvate donations
Bond proceeds
Fartnersbips
5
3 Ain rl�,K�.Ng gki larr C
c,,Hirntaijig
ImndwapNg
Enhanc(.A parking, crosswalk
Uvapy gnIUMIS
Downtow'n restn�win
4
Pump Ink MAI & We Nnos
PlAygmund
Acid fighling to sofibaH field
Signage
Rdmmw Mow pwlw
5 Irak Alnk
J rails, ala; velopawm
Wswr p%
ReWcwe dkc goff
6 LlLikggljgjggL_jn
Senim s
Special needs Children plogranis
lAWUYPWgMMMWg
Wne enhmwemtnts
JAmnmd sMmmOg
Improved, expanded sports
5ymy hamms & %&UPWg W PM)l
7 QHyTt"spon Qlark
Renovaae termis courts
Renovate baskelMl court
WaWbg awl
Rcnovale pavflion
Open lawn area
Ebg park
Landscaping & site dnwnities
New small phygmund
(Amwen bawbM I Hdd to smwer
20IT19 1473MO ITIN F) grams
Genend Fund apprnp6afions
P6uw dmwkwis
General Obligadon bond procc�,,cds
Pant rel
20 19-21 3:50.,0001 H)WID �.,�rants
GOWNRI I Uridappropda6ons
Privare donations
Bmid proccuds
Pawixnhips
2017 20 NA Geaeml Yund appropria t ions
Wate dmmkms
liond jmvcccds
PMUaships
2017-19 114 GmwrM lWnd appRTWOis
Nhytedwwbms
%mmh"s
TPWD gmms,
201122 500,00
R
TPW gmnts
(deneraI Fund appropriations
NOR dwMAMs
Bomi proceeds
PaQwmhills
8 'Mah a"k , '111, ,
�a
(ten lmvn awa
I "Indscalling
Mhome waWn pmAN puk
benches,swingc
Shoo wad
9
Sp my park
Soccer filds (8)
I. Md edutmemals
Relocatc Frisbee golf
liddgeM wal,
10
Wes( Paris] rad
Cheek vad. Ehagcm u) Mckson Widge
NE"I"I cv)nlpk°don
Walking wra: A nev, Fire Station #3
Mwalsl DP to ad mnwwn
SOW, n6ohodwd, oc.
Colinpieliensive plan bike, & hrail jflan
NEFT cotnpletion
2D19-21 35AMM
Qum! Wd aMmQations
Pilvme donations
INUMMIMS
2022 3501000 HIM"D k'narws
Gencial Fund napproprkmons
Private donations
BmdpmmNl,,,
Pm-mrsh,
2013-23 500,000/adle I PWD gi-ants
(Jeneral F"undappropriations
TXDOT Mwemma gmms
Private, donalions
Bond rmweeds
pukwnhips
11 Ifenov -27 500,000 '1 JIWD grants
..qjdatc I&L)II LU�Ljm '2023n
Open la"ui urea General Fund appropriations
Apand pbygnwnd PdvMc donwkms
fAmNeaphig Bond jvcweeds
She aMCKINS 1-1,arinerships
12 j1jLJoqLj:eK!qq!&�yj11
:tyf � L , n 2W940
.
Few� ,ibility study
Panner -ship
13 311ttIllh! 2017
Convem basebifl fiOd to soccer
FA
NA General F'und appwprradmis
Mw dmubm,s
Bmid proceeds
Ilmnembip,;
�NA General Fund napnpvoprraOon,;
Private donations
Flarnterrs h ips