Title
Parks, a division of the Chief Administrative Office, recommending the Board:
1) Receive and file a presentation on the El Dorado County Parks and Trails Master Plan Update (Master Plan);
2) Make findings that the Master Plan is a planning study for potential future action with no legally binding effect on future activities and, as it does not authorize or mandate specific projects or physical changes to the environment, its adoption is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Section 15262;
3) Approve and adopt the El Dorado County Parks and Trails Master Plan; and
4) Approve the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Parks Division Work Plan to implement year one initiatives.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Pursuant to the Parks and Recreation Element of the General Plan, Policy 9.1.1.8, the County must prepare and implement a Parks and Trails Master Plan. The current Parks and Trails Master Plan was developed to provide a long-term vision and direction for the planning, implementation, and management of the west slope park and trail resources provided by El Dorado County and was finalized in 2012. Given changes in El Dorado County over the last ten years, including implementation of many of the priorities in the Plan, the Plan is now outdated. The Board of Supervisor’s included the completion of the Master Plan update in the 2024 Strategic Plan.
On April 30, 2024, staff presented an update to the Board on the Master Plan Update process to inform the Board of the outreach efforts, community feedback, and outcomes (Legistar file 24-0766). The outreach and planning process included online surveys, over 20 public meetings, stakeholder input, benchmarking research with comparable counties, an inventory of existing park and trail facilities in the County, including those owned and managed by the County and other park providers, funding constraints and opportunities, and demographic and trends analysis. The County Parks and Recreation Commission served as the sounding board for community input and editors for staff, as each draft chapter and two full draft versions of the Plan were posted online as part of Commission meetings, garnering public review and comment throughout the process. From the process, seven key themes were identified: 1) open space trails, 2) volunteerism, 3) sports fields, 4) accessibility, 5) trail connectivity, 6) water recreation access, and 7) facility amenities. The Board approved moving forward with the key themes to guide the development of the remainder of the Master Plan.
On October 8, 2024, staff presented an update to the Board on the Master Plan Update process to inform the Board of the draft Goals, Objectives, and Initiatives chapter (Legistar file 24-1697). The Goals, Objectives, and Initiatives Chapter expands on the guidance found in the El Dorado County General Plan for parks and trails and were derived from stakeholder and community input and reflect needs based on best practices and regional trends. The five goals are as follows:
1. Preserve and enhance access to natural areas and resource-based recreation, including rivers, trails, and open space.
2. Manage recreational opportunities within a regional context to accommodate public access, leverage funding, and provide interconnected trails.
3. Prioritize maintenance of public assets and improvements to existing parks and trails to continue to provide safe and diverse recreational experiences.
4. Engage the community to refine ongoing recreational needs, encourage participation, and promote volunteer support.
5. Invest in and support recreation features in recognition of the importance of recreation as a draw for tourism and quality of life for residents.
The Board provided feedback on the progress to date and directed staff to return with a final draft for consideration of adoption after review by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
On February 20, 2025 (Legistar file 25-0331), Staff presented the final draft Master Plan to the Parks and Recreation Commission for final review. In addition to the chapter on Public Engagement (Chapter 4) and Goals, Objectives, and Initiatives (Chapter 6), the Master Plan includes an Introduction (Chapter 1), Existing Conditions (Chapter 2), Parks and Trails Planning Standards (Chapter 3), a Level of Service and Needs Analysis (Chapter 5) and a Plan Implementation (Chapter 7), as well as Appendices with more detailed information. The Commission voted unanimously to recommend the Board adopt the Plan.
The request before the Board today is to adopt the Master Plan as a guidance document that will inform future efforts by County staff to achieve the goals contained within it. Adoption of this Master Plan does not commit funding to any particular capital project or initiative, and each project described in the Master Plan will undergo its own public environmental review and approval. Staff will take direction from the Master Plan in how to apply resources needed to bring priority projects forward for funding, design, environmental review, and approval.
Adoption of the Master Plan is statutorily exempt from review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15262, “Feasibility and Planning Studies”. The Plan is a guidance document that does not have legally binding effects on future activities. Projects considered by the Board for implementation will comply with CEQA at that time.
This item also includes a proposed Parks Division work plan, based on several initiatives in the Goals, Objectives, and Initiatives Chapter and the prioritization in the Implementation Chapter. This work plan will provide staff direction on immediate next steps and the priorities for the remainder of the current fiscal year and into Fiscal Year 2025-26.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar file 24-0766 - April 30, 2024 - Master Plan Update presentation
Legistar file 24-1697 - October 8, 2024 - Master Plan Update presentation
Legistar file 25-0331 - February 20, 2025 - Parks and Recreation Commission Master Plan Update final review
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Parks and Recreation Commission
Facilities Division
Surveyor’s Office
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no direct financial impact associated with this item. Adoption of the Master Plan does not obligate funding for any particular project or initiative. As projects and initiatives come forward for implementation, staff will return to the Board with a funding plan for development and operation.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Infrastructure
Priority: Complete the Parks Master Plan
Action Item: Plan completion and presentation to the Board of Supervisors for adoption
CONTACT
Zachary Perras, Parks Manager
Jennifer Franich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer