DATE: January 29, 2016
TO: Board of Mayor and Aldermen
FROM: Eric Stuckey, City Administrator
Vernon Gerth, ACA Community and Economic Development
Lisa Clayton, Parks Director
SUBJECT:
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Consideration Resolution 2016-05, A Resolution Adopting the Comprehensive Parks Master Plan (01/26/16 Worksession)
body
Purpose
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) concerning the final proposal of the Comprehensive Parks Master Plan.
Background
In August of 2014, a planning team led by Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon, Inc. (BWSC) was retained by the City to guide the development of a Parks Master Plan. The following steps were key elements in formulating the plan:
• Conducted community outreach to gain input through a statically valid survey, focus groups discussions, and community meetings.
• Collected and evaluated information related to the inventory of existing City recreational facilities and programs.
• Collected and evaluated information related to past and projected changes in the City’s population and demographics, as well as evaluated emerging trends in parks and recreation facilities and programs.
• Evaluated the current administration and finances of the City of Franklin Parks Department.
• Compared existing recreation land and facilities to state and national standards. Using standards, community input, and population projections; prepared a summary of current parks and recreation shortfalls and future needs through the development of Level of Service standards.
• Made presentations to stakeholder groups regarding the importance of parks to the quality of life and economic vitality in Franklin and the Parkland Dedication Ordinance (Parkland Dedication Ordinance is a separate document coming forth in spring 2016).
• Prepared recommendations for capital improvements and financial reporting pertaining to future capital, operational and development needs. (Capital projects will be brought as a separate document for future approval by BOMA.)
• Developed a 10-year implementation plan, including City of Franklin Park Department’s vision, mission, guiding principles, key themes, and a vision for the future of park land, trails, programming and operations, facilities and staffing.
The project was initiated in September 2014 with numerous public meetings and a draft of the final plan was brought before BOMA on December 8, 2015. The Board of Mayor and Alderman and the community recommended during the public process to remove two trail segments from the plan: the Lancaster Drive connection from Bicentennial Park to Harlinsdale and the trail along eastern bank of the Harpeth River from Pinkerton Park to Eastern Flank Battlefield Park.
Financial Impact
The total cost of the comprehensive parks masters plan was $160,700. An amendment to the original contract of $150,000 was made in the fall of 2015. A CIP (capital investment plan) will be presented with the 2016-17 budget.
Recommendation
Staff recommends approving the comprehensive parks master plan with the absence of the Parkland Dedication section to be brought as a separate document for approval. The approval of this plan will set a high-level vision, overarching goals, objectives and strategies for the City of Franklin’s parks system and ultimately continue to enhance the quality of life for the community.