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Chattahoochee Hills Parks Commission. 2013 STRATEGIC PLANNING UPDATE July 9, 2013. OUR VISION FOR THE PARKS.
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Chattahoochee Hills Parks Commission 2013 STRATEGIC PLANNING UPDATE July 9, 2013
OUR VISION FOR THE PARKS We envision Chattahoochee Hills as a community where public parks are symbols of our commitment to respect, cherish, and celebrate the land, and engage residents and visitors in learning about nature and our relationship to it.
OUR MISSION The Chattahoochee Hills Parks Commission is committed to the preservation, protection, restoration, and acquisition of the city’s parks. It will ensure the best use of our parks as places for recreation, contemplation and learning, by providing facilities, programs and opportunities appropriate to the character of the individual parks and the needs of the community.
CURRENT RESOURCES & STRENGTHS • We own the parks. • The city vision is one that places high value on parks and other open spaces, as codified in the 70%/30% rule for land use. • There is an enthusiastic Parks Commission, supported by the City’s highly professional staff, and structured in a way that allows for hands-on involvement by volunteers.
There is strong leadership on behalf of our parks by the Mayor and Council. • The City has valuable alliances with nonprofit civic groups that bring important resources to its work: • Friends of Chattahoochee Hills Parks • Chattahoochee Hills Country Conservancy • Community Brickworks • Chattahoochee Hills Charter School • Cochran Mill Nature Center • Serenbe Institute and National Endowment for the Arts
The parks are high priorities for the City’s public safety staff. • The parks have significant public support, and are seen as a positive community force in serving our residents. • The NEA Our Town project will hold some number of public meetings or charrettes. These will be an opportunity for public input and buy-in for the Parks Commission’s plans.
CURRENT OBSTACLES • The shifting demographics in the city have resulted in a mismatch of the current population to current resources. • The parks’ public image as community priorities is not sufficiently strong or “sexy”. • Communication about the parks must be broadened to encourage unengaged volunteers to come forth.
There are significant community priorities seeking financial support that might otherwise be available to the parks: Chattahoochee Hills Charter School, Cochran Mill Nature Center, public safety and other city needs. • Controlling the misuse of the parks consumes law-enforcement resources that might be used elsewhere in the community.
NEEDS OF THE PARK SYSTEM • A consistent and dependable funding source • Greater public engagement to make the parks a higher civic priority and increase the number of users and volunteers • A coordinated communication plan about the parks: activities, resources, rules, parking, etc. • More staff and political support
NEEDS IN HUTCHESON FERRY PARK • A clear definition of the park’s uses and their impact on the neighborhood • A master plan for the park to accommodate those uses • Open the rear acreage to access more of the park’s resources • Settle any unresolved reservoir issues with Palmetto
NEEDS IN COCHRAN MILL PARK • Clear definition of the park’s uses and a master plan to accommodate them • Improved signage (Our Town designs) • Improved system for trail maintenance • Implementation of the RTP grant if awarded • Creation of an RTP/PATH usage plan
NEEDS IN RICO PARK • Improved image of the park as a traditional “hometown” ballpark, including the look of gates, dugouts, seating areas, etc. (Our Town designs) • Completion of the woodland trail • Improve the design of the city hall swale and park
NEEDS IN RIVER PARK • Clear definition of the park’s uses and its relationship to the river • A master plan to accommodate those uses • Pursue the Blue Water trails initiative • Identify and assess income producing opportunities • Address bush-hogging needs to ensure ease of access
Next Steps • July • FOCHP and City Staff active participation with the Commission • Address issues of feasibility, cost and timing of acquiring the asset needed or the actions required to implement this plan • Exploration of potential funding sources, both cash and in-kind
August • The draft plan submitted for review by City staff to ensure compliance • The draft plan submitted for public review and comment (method TBD) • September • Plan revision and final draft • October • Plan submitted to Mayor & Council for adoption • Annual review in cooperation with FOCHP and City staff