10/26/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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III. Park Land Development Process and Program--Materials distributed tit Ed Smith, Parks Director, referred Council to the brochure sent out- lining the Parks Development and Acquisition program. He said the original serial levy request was $7.5 million, and indicated on a map the South Hills area which would be affected. He said the review for park land development and acquisition under the serial levy began in 1975; however, because of operational impacts that development would have on the budget at that time and to try to make the program acceptable to voters, the serial levy was reduced to $5 million. The original charge was to present a comprehensive program that covers all the needs of the city. He reviewed for Council the eventual outcome by showing the areas on the map, including the South Hills ridgeline ,and other areas. He reviewed the parks standards for Council, noting that in 1960 there were 15.2 acres per 1000 population; that had re- duced in 1977 to 9.28 acres per 1000 population. The staff had assumed 15 acres per 1000 a good standard. Besides proposing bond issues or serial levies to relieve this inequality, some other equalizers were suggested as a means of assisting standards in meeting other recre- ational demands: Locations of space, programs conducted on it, physical condition of the space, and relative accessibility for people who will use the facilities. Mr. Smith noted the Joint Parks Committee was activated and had met on Tuesday night; it will be evaluating future park needs, development, and acquisition in the future. He noted there was a great need in the city for special facilities, indicating tennis 'courts, swimming pools, e and areas to serve handicapped and senior citizens. A table outlining a park and open space development program anticipated Mr. Smith noted the Joint Parks Committee was activated and had metrams on Tuesday night; it will be evaluating future park needs, development, and acquisition in the future. He noted there was a great need in the city for speci the budget would always be a consideration when pre- senting any development. Another problem cited was whether acquisition or development should be considered first. The assumption had been made under this program that it was best to acquire land while available; he felt that had been a good decision at that time. However, staff now feels it needs to look at the special needs in the community and the demand placed on the use of the Parks systems. He noted the recent time period during the gas shortage when every park and program was fu 11 . He said that trend had continued to the present time. Mr. Smith also reviewed development cost per acre for park land, saying it would cost $250,000 for a five-acre park. He said the City has never had that much to complete development. e 10/26/77 --7 ~/~