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: October 24, 2016
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation Department
CONTACT: Rhoda Savage, Director of Parks and Recreation
Jenny Baker, Parks, Planning and Development Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL 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 individual 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 reports and documents and then presenting a semi-final draft to the Advisory Committee. Once the Committee is comfortable that the document is in its final form, it will be presented to the Parks Board, CDC and then City Council for final consideration, which is anticipated to be in January of 2017.
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. 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.
• This same theme goes beyond our park system. Through our coordination with the Comprehensive Plan, the Preferred Scenarios district model has been incorporated into the Parks vision and planning in terms of connectivity through trails and bike boulevards as well as by identifying areas of planned and desired park locations. 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.
• 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, 2015 - 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
• This plan is being developed in conjunction with the Comprehensive Plan. Parks, Planning and Transportation staff as well as the two consultant teams are working closely together on coordinating information and ensuring that both Plans are working together in achieving the same vision for the City.
• The existing Park Master Plan was adopted in 2009.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Board and MCDC members have both been invited to this meeting to listen to the information that will be presented.