12-07-2017 Parks & Rec Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION December 7, 2017 competitive recreation is in decline, and personal best competitions like runs and walks are gaining popularity. He stated lifetime competition sports like pickleball and bocce ball are also becoming more popular. Kost explained pay to play models and club sports are growing. Kost stated the five most popular sport and fitness activities are fitness walking, treadmill, running and jogging, free weights, and road bicycling. Kost explained several other growing trends include public private partnerships, Wi-Fi in parks, compactable trash cans, reducing ornamental turf and replacing with pollinator gardens, and flexible spaces that can adapt to different park needs. Springer reported demographics in Little Canada and across the nation are increasingly diverse. She stated that the retirement population and amount of school-aged children are growing. Springer stated the survey showed that many residents travel outside of Little Canada for their park needs. Springer presented several maps showing residents’ access to parks and trails within a ten minute walk of their home. This showed a few small gaps on the northern and southern edges of the City. Springer stated residents have access to a wide variety of recreational offerings, when including offerings of surrounding entities. She explained Little Canada also has many opportunities for seniors. Springer stated the Park Plan would detail the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) standards. She explained this would show potential gaps in the plan. One example Springer shared was the City has an excess of two playgrounds. She explained this doesn’t mean the City should take out two playgrounds, but that the City had enough playgrounds for residents. Chu stated Springer had mentioned that many residents travel outside of Little Canada to visit playgrounds, but she also stated the City has an excess of two playgrounds. Chu asked if this could be explained further. Kost stated the NRPA standards were based on quantity, but the survey response could be due to location of facilities. Springer stated the survey response was in part due to residents who left the City to visit new themed playgrounds in other cities. Springer stated the NRPA publishes agency benchmarks which helps compare a city to national averages. She explained Little Canada takes in significantly less park and recreation revenue than the average City. Springer stated there were still important trail and sidewalk connections and improvements that need to be made throughout the City. Kost presented a list of goals and asked the Commission to share any input or suggestions before the holidays. The list of goals are below: 1. Provide a system of high-quality facilities and programs that meet the community’s evolving needs and is an integral part of people’s active and healthy lives 2. Reinforce community character, history, and sense of place with parks and recreation