HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes XX-2002 Revisions to the Park, Recreation, and Open Space PlanMTY OF ,ANNA TEXAS
RESOLUTION NOQ
A RESOLUTION of THE CITY OF ANNA, TEXAS, ADCPTMG
REVISIONS TO THE PARS ' RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACE PLAN
OF THE CITY OF ANIMA
Whereas, the City Council of the City of Anna has examined its existing Park,
Recreation, and Open Space Plan; and
Whereas, the existing Plan has been determined to require revision; and
Whereas, the Parks Board of the City of Anna has recommended certain
revisions to the Park, Recreation, and Open Space Plan; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUHC(L OF THE CQTY of ANNA, TEXAS
The revisions to the Park, Recreation, and Open Space Plan, attached to this
Resolution as Exhibits A and B, are hereby adopted and the Park, recreation,
and Open Space Plan shall be amended to include said Exhibits. The City
Secretary is hereby directed to amend the Plan to include such documents by
removing and replacing pages and maps as noted in Exhibit A.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Anna by the following vote on this the
20th day of November, 2002.
AYE 4
NAY 0
ABSTENTION 0
ATTEST:
City 8ecr6tary
APPROVED:
CADocuments and SettingsWl Users0ocuments\Anna Mgt\Ordinances\Park Plan Amdt Resolutn.doc
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CITY OF ANNA, TEXAS
PARK, RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACE PLAN
REVISED NOVEMBER, 2002
INTRODUCTION
This Plan has been prepared for the City of Anna, a 'Public entity
responsible for providing adequate, safe and accessible public park,
recreation, and open space facilities to all citizens within its jurisdiction.
General background information on the City of Anna has been provided
below and is followed by an overview and history of national issues
affecting local park, recreation, and open space planning efforts.
Anna is a rapidly growing north central Texas community with a population
of approximately 2,282 as of November, 2002. An additional estimated
1,750 persons live within two miles of the city limits of Anna.
Anna is a rapidly growing north central Texas community, located in
northern Collin County. The city has an elevation range of about 590 to
770 feet. above sea level. Anna contains approximately 2,858.9 acres of
land. The Anna area climate produces an annual average daily
temperature of 65.3 degrees, and an average annual rainfall of 34.80
inches.
The topography of the area is flat to rolling terrain with scattered trees.
Tributaries and main branches of Sister Grove Creek, Slayter Creek,
Throckmorton Creek, Hurricane Creek, White's Creek, and the East Fork
of the Trinity River traverse the City. All of these creeks have associated
flood hazard areas.
I
The City is located 10 miles north of McKinney and 14 miles south of
Sherman. U.S. Highway 75 traverses the City from north to south and Farm
to Market Highway 455 bisects the City east to west.
The City of Anna grew from 904 persons in 1990 to 1,225 in the 2000
census. Because the census failed to include an area within the city (in
the northern part of town), the actual 2000 population was probably close
to 1,400 persons, a 55 percent increase over the decade. The growth
since 2000 has been much more dramatic, however. In the past two and
half years, the population has increased by over 50 percent, to about
2,282.
While it is expected that Anna's park facilities will primarily serve the
residents of the city, there is no question that a larger area will also use
and be served by the city facilities. The 75409 zip code area roughly
coincides with the Anna school district and the City of Anna planning area
(the ultimate build -out area of the City as established by agreement with
neighboring cities). Table 1 summarizes some basic demographic
information from the 2000 census data for zip code 75409.
2
TABLE 1
ANNA SERVICE AREA (75409 ZIP CODE)
BASIC DEMOGRAPHIC DATA'
Total population of service area
4,757
Minority population of service area
11183
25%
Youth population in service area**
17493
31%
Older population in service area***
388
8%
Low income population in service area****
789
17%
Disabled population in service area
623
13%
"Based on 2000 U.S. Census
**Under 18 years of age
***"65 and older
***Below poverty line
As shown in Table 2, the primary differences between the service area
population and the City of Anna population relate to race/ethnicity and
income. The city contains a 40 percent minority population and the low
income population percentage is considerably higher than the larger area.
TABLE 2
CITY OF ANNA
BASIC DEMOGRAPHIC DATA*
Total population
Minority population
Youth population
Older population in service area**
Low income population in service area***
Disabled population in service area
3
1,225
512
47%
338
28%
105
9%
301
24%
211
17%
*Based on 2000 U.S. Census
**Under 18 years of age
****65 and older
***Below poverty line
The Anna area is experiencing a very sharp growth spurt. The
combination of relatively inexpensive land, low interest rates, good
schools, and a desire to escape urban traffic and other concerns have
resulted in significant single family residential development pressures. The
City has platted over 2,500 residential housing lots in the past two years.
Of these lots, about 275 have homes built on them, leaving over 2,000
building lots that have been platted. Over 250 building permits for new
homes have been issued by the City in the first ten months of 2002.
Infrastructure improvements (water, sewer, streets, and drainage facilities)
are in place for an additional 550 lots as of November 1, 2002.
Tables 3 and 4 provide projections for population based on residential lot
development for properties currently under contract for purposes of
development. These date do not include land not currently being
considered for development by the city or multifamily development.
TABLE 3
CITY OF ANNA
POPULATION PROJECTIONS
YEAR POPULATION
2000
1,225*
2005 6,843
2010 14,394
2015 17,739
Source: Anna City Staff
4
TABLE 4
PROJECTED RESIDENTIAL LOT DEVELOPMENT
2002 - 2015
II
Subdiv. Name
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Total
I Platted
Lots
Tara Farms
60
50
50
50
50
50
65
375
375
Oak Hollow
125
125
100
75
50
50
50
575
575
Creekside
75
55
50
50
230
230
Meadow Ridge
40
40
40
38
158
158
The Falls
40
75
75
75
52
317
317
Lakeview
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
4
204
204
Pecan Grove
25
50
75
75
75
100
125
150
150
150
89
1064
1064
Westfield
35
35
35
36
141
141
Bradley
25
60
60
50
50
50
50
50
48
443
443
Weaver
25
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
525
580
Tompkins 57
25
50
50
50
50
25
250
250
Tompkins 25
25
25
25
75
75
West -Geer
50
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
875
1000
Chee
25
50
50
50
50
50
75
350
350
Others
3
10
20
20
20
20
20
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
323
Totals
188
415
610
730
718
608
535
430
455
357
305
244
156
155
59905
5,762
Cumulative Tot.
188
603
11213
11943
21661
3,269
39804
41234
41689
51046
59351
51595
51750
51905
Population
517
19141
19678
21008
1,975
12672
19471
11183
19251
982
839
671
426
426
Cumulative Tot.
517
11658
31336
53343
71318
81990
10,461
11,644
12,895
13,877
14,715
15,386
15,813
16,239
Total Population
21282
31158
41836 1
61843 1
81818
10, 490
11, 961
13,144
14, 395
15, 377
16, 215
16, 886
17, 313
17, 739
11 /29/02
Families with children constitute almost 40 percent of the area and city
population. About 30 percent of the population of the area is under 18
years of age. This large number of youth suggests that the focus of efforts
to provide park and recreation facilities in the community should be
directed toward younger persons and young families. At the same time,
almost 10 percent of the population is over 65 and this part of the
population is often left out of the park and open space picture so attention
must be paid to meeting the needs and interests of a broad range of age
groups.
A brief overview of pertinent history, general context information, and
significant issues and principals related to American recreation and open
space planning provides a useful context before addressing specific park,
recreation, and open space planning information and strategies related to
the Anna community.
Opportunities for convenient, affordable participation in outdoor
recreational activities materially enhance the health, well being, and
human development of urban and suburban citizens. As America's cities
and towns grew, the public and private sectors recognized the importance
of recreation and have often cooperated in efforts to fulfill recreational
needs by providing adequate public access to park and recreation
facilities. The historical development of cooperative recreational efforts is
summarized below.
During the transition of our society from an agricultural to an industrial
society, human settlement patterns became denser. The land was
0
subdivided into smaller parcels with increased percentages of impervious,
manmade surfaces. Natural areas were sacrificed to make way for more
urban environments. People living and working in these denser, urban
environments no longer could experience the freedom of movement and
relaxation associated with larger open spaces. With the shrinkage of the
agricultural life style, regular contact with nature became less frequently
unavailable to most of the population.
In response to the unmet human need for outdoor recreation space, town
leaders found it necessary to provide park and open space opportunities in
order to beautify their urban environments and nurture the healthy growth
and development of their citizenry. The "City Beautiful Movement" took
hold and spread across America. The significant, positive effect of parks
and open spaces became generally well recognized. Positive responses
from urban citizens, improvements in the appearance of the cityscape, and
strengthening of the local economy were all important results of sound
park planning. Parks, recreation, and open space became an integral part
of the quality of life demanded by citizens and became essential amenities
sought by people when choosing a place to live and work. Standards
evolved for the appropriate provision of community recreation and
beautification.
The needs and demands for park and recreation facilities in a given
community are directly proportional to the population and environmental
opportunities of the service area. Meeting gross area park standards
alone does not adequately address a community's park needs. Perhaps
even more important is the availability of improved and accessible park
VA
areas that conveniently provide citizens with a balanced variety of facilities
and environmental protection.
When determining specific service area needs and the local strategies for
addressing citizen demand for essential recreation facilities, a community
should keep the following basic park planning issues in mind:
a) Timing of land acquisition;
b) Trends affecting demand;
c) General design principals;
d) Regional priorities;
e) Conventional planning criteria; and
D Local determination -of standards.
Timing of land acquisition -The City has the responsibility to take the.lead
in assuring timely reservation and acquisition of lands necessary for the
creation of swell -conceived park and open space system. If provision of
parks and open spaces is to be economically viable, prudent funding
limitations require early land acquisition, well in advance of adjacent
development. Unless it becomes necessary to correct a condition where
a park deficiency is significantly depressing property values, public
acquisitions of relatively expensive, developed land and/or removal of
buildings are both strategies that are not well -accepted, fiscally
responsible, or financially feasible.
Trends affecting demand -Parks, open space, and recreation facilities are
obviously needed to serve all age groups. Further, the citizen demand for
addressing this need is increasing with the growth of our population and
changing social expectations. A number of trends have affected the
volume of demand for recreational facilities:
The increase in life span coupled with earlier retirement age
broadens the service demand for recreational facilities,
especially for facilities serving the senior members of our
communities.
The increases in competitive sports activities, particularly for
younger age groups, have increased the need for
neighborhood park facilities.
The increase in organized recreation program participation
has increased the need for recreational facilities.
Citizens expect more priority to be given by the public sector
to creating a higher quality of life and providing greater
environmental protection.
General design principals -The principles which generally apply to the
design of most recreation areas and facilities include the following:
1. Active recreation areas should usually be separated according
to the age of the users being served. If facilities for children
I
are not separated according to age, the safety of younger
children may be unnecessarily compromised; older children
frequently tend to monopolize facilities. Certain areas should
specifically be designed for use by family groups, which
include all ages.
2. The recreation site should be accessible to the people who will
use it. Generally the age of the user determines the size of
the area served by a park facility. The service area of a
neighborhood playground is generally limited to a radius of
about a half mile, which is an easy and safe walking distance
for most children. A facility designed to serve the entire
family, with auto accessibility, normally serves a one to five
mile area.
3. Where locally permissible, combined municipal and school
recreation centers are a recommended and functionally
appropriate. Recreational facilities should be combined with
school facilities wherever possible to serve the educational
and recreational needs of the local neighborhood. The two
facilities are closely related and often their purposes,
programs, and activities overlap. Summertime. use of the
school's outdoor facilities allows for an economical expansion
of the use. The adjacent park -school grounds should be
specifically designed to be complementary and integrated.
4. Where possible, locational choices for recreation facilities
should enhance opportunities for environmental protection by
10
incorporating and respecting natural features that may
otherwise be harmed by land development required for other
uses.
5. Playground areas should be designed to create a play
environment that enhances learning and aids in developing
the total child. Playgrounds should provide the opportunity for
a child to safely interact with the play environment at their own
level of development. Where possible, manipulative play
opportunities should be provided, allowing the child to build,
transport, and change their environment. Playground areas
should also encourage development of the following:
o large and fine motor skills;
• eye -hand coordination;
• balance and locomotion skills;
• encouragement for children to learn about themselves
in relation to the physical world; and
• opportunities for fantasy play, social development, and
decision -making.
Additionally, playground design should provide:
• a central vantage point for ease of supervision;
• shaded area for passive play;
• paved area for pavement games;
• grassy area for free play;
• a variety of challenge levels; opportunities for upper body
development; and
• opportunities for learning about the natural environment.
11
Conventional planning criteria - A general criterion for a community's total
required park area compared to the total population is one acre of
developed park area for each 100 persons, or approximately 10 percent of
the total developed area. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department guidelines for outdoor recreational areas and facilities, Texas
communities of 2,500 persons or less should have a minimum 25 acres of
recreational land.
Local determination of standards - Recommendations for the type, size, or
number of facilities in a park should be based on an established set of
standards, which are deemed by a given community to be acceptable,
workable, and practical. Various sets of standards have been adopted by
local, state, and federal agencies. However, no set of standards is right for
all communities. Like individuals, communities each have their own
character, needs, strengths, and weaknesses. The park standards
actually adopted by a community are an individual choice, depending upon
specific preferences, various unique factors, and environmental
opportunities of the community. No entity is better qualified to evaluate
local needs than an informed community and its local leadership.
12
PLANNING PROCESS
Assisted by professional planning consultants, the City of Anna considered
the basic park planning issues expressed in the forgoing introduction, and
where possible, incorporated them into local planning process to determine
its unique park and recreation opportunities and needs. Anna began its
most recent local planning effort by hiring private consultants to assist with
community development planning and facility planning. Additionally, in
February and March of 2001 meetings with City staff were held to refine
local determination of needs. After obtaining the above -described input,
the final list of needs for the Anna park, recreation, and open space
facilities was established.
An updated inventory and analysis of the existing facilities, and a basic
needs assessment were then compared to: public input; previously
assimilated information; population and growth projections; an analysis of
Anna's unique set of opportunities; and the basic park and recreation
planning principals and standards outlined in the above introduction. From
this comparison came a set of goals and objectives that reflected the
locally determined standards and needs. The goals and objectives were
then translated into a physical parks and open space plan along with
implementation recommendations.
13
INVENTORY OF EXISTING FACILITIES &
OPEN SPACE
In December 2000 an inventory of the City's open space, parks and
recreational facilities was conducted to determine the location, type and
number of amenities offered to local citizens. The location of the existing
Anna park facilities as well as other park opportunities are graphically
illustrated on the "Existing Open Space and Community Facilities" map
and are listed in Table 5.
The City's existing park site is 0.7 acres. This park serves the entire
community. The park is kept in standard condition by volunteers.
TABLE 14
ANNA SERVICE AREA
PARK AND SCHOOL AND PRIVATE RECREATION INVENTORY
CITY PARK (Service area is entire city
♦ 1 OLD WOODEN CLIMBING APPARATUS
♦ 1 —SLIDES
♦ 1 —SWINGS (6 SEATS)
♦ 1 LIGHTED BALL FIELD
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ANNA ISD (Service area is entire city and AISDI
♦ FOOTBALL FIELD WITH TRACK (LIGHTED)
♦ 2 UNLIGHTED BASEBALL FIELDS
ANNA ISD (Service area is entire city and AISD)
♦ SWINGS (12 SEATS)
♦ 3 SMALL CLIMBING APPARATUS
HURRICANE CREEK COUNTRY CLUB (Private Golf Clubl
♦ 18 HOLE COURSE WITH CLUB HOUSE
It should be noted that school facilities are specifically designed for school
needs, and are not intended to meet the demands and regulations of
league play or to beautify the community. Additionally, the golf course is
private and therefore does not meet the needs of the general population of
the Anna area. No pedestrian/open space linkages exist for the school
facilities.
The following existing features represent significant open space/linkage
opportunities:
(a) The floodplain areas associated with tributaries and main
branches of Sister Grove Creek, Slayter Creek, Throckmorton
Creek, Hurricane Creek, White's Creek, and the East Fork of
the Trinity River;
15
(b) Certain other vacant lands and right-of-way which could allow
for future trail connections.
Additionally, it should be noted that Anna is served by regional recreational
facilities at Lake Texoma, but due to distance, access from Anna requires
travel by auto. Also, Anna's general population is not served by any other
local privately owned recreation facilities except Hurricane Creek Country
Club. Private facilities are located at Lake Texoma, and in larger towns
(such as Sherman and McKinney), but are available only to those able and
willing to travel the distances and pay the required entry fees/dues.
16
ANALYSIS/ NEEDS ASSESSMENT
After reviewing: the natural features, opportunities, and inventory of
facilities; the public input; and the general planning principles and generic
standards included in the introduction, the following minimum
standards/criteria for recreational facilities were locally determined to be
appropriate for the City of Anna to provide adequate recreation
opportunities:
Open Space: 1 ac/500 pop. (in addition to all parks and
schools)
Parks: 10 ac/1000 population, (minimum of 25 acres)
Trails: 1 mile/1000 pop.
Passive Play: 1 ac/500 population
Ball Fields: 1/500 population (L)
Tennis: 1 court/1000 population (L)
Beach Volleyball: 1 court/2000 population
Basketball: 1 court/1000 population (L)
Soccer Fields: 1/1000 population
Skateboard Park: 1/10,000 population
Playgrounds: 1/300 children
Picnic Shelter: 1/2000 population
Picnic Tables: 1/100 pop. (in addition to shelter tables)
17
Comm. Center:
Gazebo:
Horseshoes:
Shuffle Board:
1 /5000 population
1/2000 population
1 set of pits/500 population
1 court/1000 population
In addition to population demand, there are other important factors that
should also be taken into account when considering need. The priority
listing of problems are as follows:
1) School recreation facilities are not intended or designed to meet the
same objectives as a public park.
2) There is no open space system established in the City of Anna to
provide additional recreation facilities for the future projected
population.
3) There is no adequate pedestrian linkage between neighborhoods,
schools and public parks and recreation facilities.
4) Inadequacy of all standards.
5) Aging equipment at existing small park need to be replaced.
When taking the locally determined standards and opportunities into
account, and comparing them to the existing and projected population, as
well as the above -mentioned factors affecting need, it becomes evident
18
that there are significant areas not addressed by the existing parks and
recreation facilities.
Based on a 2007 population of 10,500 persons approximately 105 acres of
parks, 11 acres of open space linkage needs to be provided throughout the
community, and roughly 5 miles of multi -use trails need to be constructed
to connect the school campuses, parks, and neighborhoods into an
integrated open space system. Other facilities needed within five years
include:
35 playgrounds;
• 21 baseball fields;
• 17 picnic tables (with grills);
• 5 picnic shelter;
• 5 gazebos;
• 20 acres of passive play area;
• 5 beach volleyball courts;
• 10 basketball courts;
• 10 soccer fields;
• 10 tennis courts
• 20 horseshoe pits; and
• 10 shuffle board courts.
19
TABLE 6
CITY OF ANNA
NEEDED FACILITIES
FACILITY TYPE
NEEDS
BY 2012
CURRENT
FACILITIES
ADDITIONAL
FACILITIES
OPEN SPACE
32 AC.
0
32 AC.
PARKS
160 AC.
.7 AC.
159.3 AC.
TRAILS
16 MI.
0
16 MI.
PASSIVE PLAY
32 AC.
0
32 A.C.
BALL FIELDS
32
1
31
TENNIS COURTS
16
0
16
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
8
0
8
BASKETBALL COURTS
8
0
8
SOCCER FIELDS
16
0
16
PLAYGROUNDS
80
1
79
PICNIC SHELTERS
8
0
8
PICNIC TABLES
160
0
160
COMMUNITY CENTERS
2
0
2
GAZEBO
8
0
8
HORSESHOE PITS
32
0
32
SHUFFLE BOARD COURTS
16
0
16
0A0=L V1V 1VCCU0 H00CJJ1V1=1V 1.
In 2010, or earlier depending on the growth rates over the next several
years, this Plan should be reviewed and revised as needed to meet the
guidelines established in the Plan.
20
POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES
The Anna community has an opportunity to create a system of parks and
open space that will greatly enhance the quality of life of its existing and
future citizens. The geographic distribution and arrangement of the
features listed below combine to represent a pattern of opportunity fora
cost-effective system of accessible park, open space, and recreational
facilities: the environmentally sensitive floodplain areas associated with
tributaries and main branches of Sister Grove Creek, Slayter Creek,
Throckmorton Creek, Hurricane Creek, Whites Creek-, and the East Fork of
the Trinity River; vacant lands and right-of-way which could allow for future
trail connections; and, the relative locations of the existing school sites and
City park.
The location of each component of this comprehensive system opportunity
is illustrated in the Park Plan Map. The strong level of public participation
and commitment in the City of Anna will be the driving force to capitalize
on this fortunate set of worthwhile opportunities.
21
GOALS, PLAN AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Goals and Objectives
Goals are clear, concise statements of what an individual or group desires
to occur in the future with regard to a general topic of consideration. A
goal does not determine how or when any action is to be performed, but
does express a party's future intent. Goals may imply aggressive personal
action or may call for mild encouragement of others to act. Goals may be
short or long range, or may be easy or difficult to reach. Goals may be
extensions of trends from the past, maintain the present course, or chart
completely new directions. Goals are always expressions of present
desire and should be periodically reviewed and adjusted.
Goals are best established by comparing what is with what is desired.
Influences of opportunities and constraints, changing needs, and future
trends must be taken into account when formulating goals.
A set of goals should create a balance between goals that are easy and
goals that are difficult to achieve; however, goals are most potent when
they clearly articulate an inspired vision of the future. Goal setters should
be willing to dare to dream and share their visions. Inspirations may
always be tempered with practicality, but practical thought is not often
22
inspired. Clear, inspired, far reaching goals that articulate active new
direction are the most difficult goals to formulate and achieve, but are
worth the extra effort.
The results intended by achievement of goals to be set for Anna recreation
and open space planning includes the following:
To provide for as many locally determined priority needs as possible.
To establish new and different park and recreation opportunities within
the Anna jurisdiction and intended service area.
To improve the geographic distribution/access of park and recreation
opportunities.
To maximize the use of development funds for basic park and
recreation opportunities.
To establish recreational facilities readily availability to minority and
low-income citizens.
To address the needs of all age groups, including the elderly and
youth -at -risk.
To involve the cooperation of other governmental jurisdictions.
To involve land that would not otherwise be used for open space, park
and/or recreation purposes, and to involve support by the private
sector.
23
To provide for acquisition, preservation, and conservation of park and
recreation lands that provide needed open space.
To promote conservation of natural resources by proposing the use of
native plant materials and protection of natural waterways.
To provide for strategic green belt linkages and improvements to
historic areas.
To maximize community support and private contribution.
The goals for the City of Anna with regard to open space, parks, and
recreation are listed below. Under each of the overall goals are listed
objectives that describe how the goal is to be achieved. The Goals and
objectives should be attained by 2012.
GOAL 1: Expand Anna's parks and open space system to meet the
needs of area citizens.
Objective 1.1: Obtain approximately 46 acres of park and open
space land in close proximity to the urbanized area of Anna within
the next two years.
Objective 1.2: Fund and construct the following recreation facilities
in the secured land: 1.5 miles of multi -use trail section (with node
amenities and planned in a manner to tie into the citywide open
space/trail system); four basketball courts; three playgrounds;
24
benches; seventeen picnic tables with grills; one picnic shelter; two
shuffle board courts; four horseshoe pits; one soccer field; one
beach volleyball courts; four baseball fields; one gazebo; and
parking facilities.
Objective 1.3: Formulate 'and begin implementation of an
acquisition/donation plan for: (a) acquiring 17 plus acres in the
eastern and or southern sector of Anna (b) within certain
right-of-ways, plan, acquire, fund, and construct one additional mile
of multi -use trail section (with node amenities and planned in a
manner to tie into the citywide open space/trail system); one
basketball court; benches; six picnic tables with grills; one soccer
field and one shuffle board courts; one horseshoe pit; 1 gazebo;
and parking facilities.
GOAL 2: Properly maintain the existing and future parks and open
space system.
Objective 2.1: Develop innovative, cooperative funding strategies
to support maintenance of existing and future park and open space
areas.
Objective 2.2: Formulate and adopt policies and ordinances that
protect the acquired/donated park land and facilities.
25
Local Priority Needs
In order to most effectively address the forgoing goals and
objectives, the following local priority needs should be addressed in
the order listed:
LOCAL PRIORITY #1 — Obtaining Park Land.
LOCAL PRIORITY #2 — Construction of ball field complex.
LOCAL PRIORITY #3 —Construction of soccer fields.
LOCAL PRIORITY #4 — Construction of tennis courts.
LOCAL PRIORITY #5 — Constructing playgrounds.
LOCAL PRIORITY #6 —Construction of skateboard park.
LOCAL PRIORITY #7 — Constructing basketball courts.
LOCAL PRIORITY #8 — Constructing Volleyball Courts.
LOCAL PRIORITY #9 —Constructing Multi Use Trail System. (for
more detail, see Design Guidelines in Physical
Plan/Recommendations below).
LOCAL PRIORITY #10 — Installing Sheltered Picnic Tables and
Grills.
LOCAL PRIORITY #11 — Construction of a Gazebo.
LOCAL PRIORITY #12 -Add other recreational facilities as may
be needed to meet the foregoing goals, objectives, and locally
determined standards for recreation and open space, such as
horseshoe pits, shuffleboard courts, and community center.
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In addressing the foregoing local priority needs, the plan and
implementation sections below have been formulated and should
be considered in relationship to the above goals section.
Physical Plan/Recommendations
The purpose of the plan and recommendations is to provide
community direction in a constantly changing environment.
Under existing and currently projected conditions and
circumstances, the City of Anna's parks, open space, and
recreational needs will be well satisfied if the various segments of
the community will work together in organizing, programming,
promoting, operating, and maintaining the existing and proposed
facilities. The costs of private and public time and money will be
well spent if the plan recommendations are followed and updated
on a regular basis. Few things have so positive an effect on the
quality of life in a community as well planned and maintained
parks, open space, and recreation facilities.
Acceptance of these plan recommendations does not mean that
every proposed facility will be built. However, it does mean that
there is a vision that guides specific short term decisions. Such
individual decision -making processes too often lose sight of the
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larger, long range picture of the City of Anna's possible future.
These recommendations should be helpful to future
decision -making as each plan component is gradually considered
for implementation or revision.
The physical recreation and open space plan for the City of Anna
is illustrated on the Park and Open Space Plan map. The
improvements included in the local priority needs should be
specifically planned and met as recommended in the
implementation section below. The programming of these
improvements should be coordinated with the school district (and
the school district should be encouraged to coordinate the
programming and use of their recreational facilities with the City).
When specific implementation measures are being planned,
specific design criteria should be developed and considered prior
to purchasing equipment or beginning construction drawings.
The selection of play equipment for future playground areas and
for playground upgrades should generally follow the guidelines
described below:
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Site Safety: All playground equipment should be located in a
manner that observes the recommended use zones and fall
zones, and should have the appropriate depth of resilient safety
surfacing placed around and under the equipment. The surfacing
material should not prevent reasonable access by persons with
physical disabilities.
Access and Egress: Each play item should be accessible to the
intended user and not overtax their developmental ability.
Multi -component structures should provide for a variety of
graduated skill levels for user access and egress. Handicapped
access and use should be considered and evaluated for each
play area.
Swings: Swings should only be placed in the play environment if
they can be located out of the general path of safety. Where
space permits, there should be a minimum of six swing positions
provided for each playground area. A minimum of one swing
position should be accessible to persons with physical disabilities.
Swing toprail height should not exceed ten feet.
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Slides: A variety of sliding experiences should be provided as
either freestanding units part of amulti-component play structure.
Freestanding slides should not be higher than six feet. Sliding
poles are not recommended for children under the age of five. At
least one sliding device should be accessible to persons with
physical disabilities.
Climbers: A range of climbing opportunities should be made
available that provide a variety of challenge levels. The climbing
component's material, size, and direction of climb should vary.
Climbers may also be used to promote socialization. A structure
such as a geo dome allows several children to use it in different
manners at the same time. Climbers offering opportunities for
children to move their bodies in, out and through spaces are
recommended. An accessible climber should be provided.
Balance and Movement: At least one type of balance activity
should be provided in each play area. Balance equipment
includes balance beams, net climbers, suspension bridges, chain
walks, tunnels, and spring platforms.
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Upper Body Development: At least one apparatus that increases
upper body strength and coordination should be provided for
each playground. Accessible apparatus should be provided. The
apparatus may be freestanding or part of amulti-component play
structure.
Design for the open space/trail system should consider the
following general guidelines.
Open Space Width: Average of 30 feet with larger widths as
needed and available at nodes.
Trail Width: 8 feet preferred; 6 feet minimum.
Trail Material: Asphalt or concrete.
Node locations: Shady, convenient areas at destinations or
points of frequent trail access/egress.
Node Amenities: Lighting, drinking fountain, bench, seasonal
plantings, change in paving pattern, and incorporation of existing
trees for shade.
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Street R-O-W Portions: Where possible, soften edges with tree
and shrub plantings; provide adequate stripped -off lanes, or an 8-
foot sidewalk, or a six-foot sidewalk with a 4-foot parkway
between the curb and sidewalk.
Street Crossings: Stripe and sign for pedestrian crossing;
provide handicap ramping.
Trail Drainage: Provide drains at low areas; slope to avoid
puddling; where crossing drainage flow provide culverts or design
to accommodate areas of sheet flow.
Interpretation: Provide markers at natural features of interest to
relate to interpretive literature.
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IMPLEMENTATION
YEAR 1: Secure materials, donations, and local resources and
apply for matching grants through the Collin County Parks
Foundation program and the Texas Recreation and Parks
Account Program under the Texas Department of Parks and
Wildlife grants -in aid program to begin implementation of local
priorities #1 through #12.
COST: $5,500
SOURCE OF FUNDS: City budget and/or donations.
YEARS 1-2:
Plan and implement land acquisitions and trail
related easements as required for Local Priority Needs #1
through #12.
COST: $0 - $500,000 (depends on negotiations and donor
attitudes).
SOURCE OF FUNDS: Local donations, grant funds, local City
CIP funds.
YEARS 2-3: Plan the improvements contained in Local Priority
Needs #2 through #12:
COST OF ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS:
$38,000
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FUNDING SOURCE: Grant from work accomplished in Year 1
above with matching to be achieved by donations of local area
professionals, City personnel, volunteer labor, administrative
labor, construction materials and supplies, and local tax and CIP
funds. Also, the value of land/easements may be used in
matching funds.
YEARS 3-8: Construct improvements contained in Local Priority
Needs #2 through #12.
COST OF CONSTRUCTION:
Park Improvements - $8259000
Trail Improvements - $1155000
FUNDING SOURCE: Grants from work accomplished in Year 1 above with
matching to be achieved by donations of developers, local area
professionals, City personnel, volunteer labor, administrative labor,
construction materials and supplies, land and easement donations and
local tax and CIP funds.
TOTAL BUDGET FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION (including grant
application work) is anticipated to be $983,500 (not including land and
easements) of which the local match would be approximately $491,750
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worth of donated land, labor, equipment, materials, and cash since the
State maximum is $500,000 grant at this time for a project total of
$1,000,000.
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