Title
Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division recommends the Commission review and discuss Parks program draft goals for the incorporation into the Parks and Trails Master Plan.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
As part of the Parks Master Plan Update process, staff conducted a robust effort to engage the community. An update to the Board of Supervisors was provided on April 30, 2024, where the Board gave direction to move forward with 8 themes that emerged from the outreach effort:
1) Open Space Trails: The community wide survey, especially, showed the importance placed upon open space accessible for walking and enjoying nature, hiking, and unimproved, natural trails.
2) Volunteerism: Consistently throughout all forms of outreach, the community conveyed a willingness to volunteer to improve parks, maintain them, and organize themselves in support.
3) Sports Team Fields: Several concerns focused on the high costs for sports teams, field availability, travel time and lack of lighting at available fields, with a focus on the positive impact to youth as a result of sports team involvement. Youth Baseball and Softball were the highest priority.
4) Special-use Trails: Outreach effort results confirmed what Parks staff are already aware of: that there are several groups in the County with the need for different types of trails, specifically for walking, biking, and equestrians.
5) Accessibility: Common themes were ADA accessible spaces, including sports fields, water access points, and trails.
6) Trail Connectivity: Connectivity between existing trails, especially connections or expansion of the El Dorado Trail, including trails in other Counties or under other park providers, with an emphasis on open, maintained multi-use trails.
7) Water Recreation Access: Another theme was providing access to water, especially natural water resources including the Cosumnes and American River, for swimming, fishing, and other watersports.
8) Facility Amenities: Many survey resul...
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