Title
Receive an Update and Provide Direction/Feedback on the Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Master Plan
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Direction for Strategic & Economic Growth
Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
MEETING DATE: February 9, 2017
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation Department
CONTACT: Rhoda Savage, Director of Parks and Recreation
Jenny Baker, Parks, Planning and Development Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
• Discuss and provide direction on the layout and content of the Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Master Plan.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The framework of the plan will be presented following the primary Plan chapters listed below:
o Parks
• String of Pearls/Gems
• Value of parks
• Parkland Dedication Ordinance
• 10 Focus Park Recommendations
o Trails/Bikeways/Streetscape
• Greenbelt trails
• Arterial trails
• Neighborhood connectors
• 12’ wide hike and bike trail width
o Gateways/Portals
• City Entrances
• Gateway Ring - the Four Pillars
• District Gateways and Secondary Portals
o Aquatic Facilities/Recreation Centers
• Short and long term recommendations
• Following this meeting, the next steps will be finalizing the documents and then presenting a semi-final draft to the Advisory Committee in late February. Once the Committee is comfortable that the document is in its final form, it will be presented to the Parks Board and CDC in April and then City Council for final consideration, which is anticipated to be in May.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• A primary theme that the Plan focuses on is the creek/greenbelt system that runs through McKinney - Wilson Creek, East Fork of the Trinity and Honey Creek as well as smaller tributaries and creeks that are connected. These creek corridors, with their natural beauty, serve as the backbone of the entire parks and trails system, creating a system of linear parks that are designated as signature and greenbelt parks, also called “Pearls” and “Gems” in this park plan.
• By taking advantage of a natural environment that few other cities have, McKinney can establish itself as not only having an exceptional parks and trails system, but also as a desirable place to live and work.
• A list of the meetings held up to this point is below:
• September 28, 2015 - Vision Committee Meeting
• October-December 2015 - Telephone and Online Surveys Conducted
• October 26-30 Vision Event Week meetings with Sports Groups, Governmental Agencies, Special Interest Groups, and City Staff
• October 26, 2015- Work Session with City Council
• October 28, 2015 - Community Input Meeting
• October 29, 2015 - Joint Meeting with MCDC and Parks Board
• February 27, 2016 - Vision Committee Facility Tour
• March 16, 2016 - Vision Committee meeting
• June 29, 2016 - Vision Committee meeting
• July 18, 2016 - City Council work session
• September 21, 2016 - Vision Committee meeting
• October 24, 2016 - Council work session
• Our Park Plan is being updated concurrently with the City’s overall Comprehensive Plan update, which is being managed through the Planning Department. Both of these plans are being coordinated in conjunction with each other.
• The Comprehensive Plan breaks out the city into 16 different districts, known as Preferred Scenarios. Our plan also uses this district framework for laying out and planning for our parks, trails and streetscapes. Each of the 16 districts is connected through our trails system in addition to either having a designation for a signature or greenbelt park, depending on the district location.
• The existing Park Master Plan was adopted in 2009.