2005-041 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The plan for recreation and open space is a set of actions to be undertaken by the county to provide an adequate recreation and open space system for Indian River County throughout the planning period. While the goals, objectives, and policies identify the individual actions and intended results, this section provides a general overview. of the plan. More than just a physical development plan for locating parklands and recreation facilities, the recreation and open space plan addresses the issues, problems, and needs identified in the analysis section. As such, the plan addresses recreation and open space; it addresses sites, facilities, and programs; and it addresses funding and coordination Like other plan elements, the recreation and open space plan will involve various actions on the part of the county to implement the plan. These include site acquisition, facility construction, regulation adoption, coordination, and other activities. The major focus of the recreation and open space plan is the completion of a needs analysis. In 2005 an impact fee study was completed. That study established a LOS of 6.61 acres of parkland per 1,000 permanent population plus weighted seasonal population. That study will use surveys, demographic analysis, and other market analysis techniques to determine demand for parks, facilities, and programs. Based on that information, the county can adopt a LOS and a recreation capital improvements plan that accurately from previous standards. Another key component of the plan is the recognition of a need to give parkland acquisition priority in two a fast growing areas. Those ar as arc Vero Lake Estates and the area near SR 60, between 43rd Avenue and I-95. Although the physical improvements are the most visible plan actions, the most effective may be administration actions. Among its various intergovernmental coordination components, the plan calls for establishment of a formal countywide recreation system. Although an informal countywide recreation system, operated by the Indian River County/City of Vero Beach Recreation Department, has been in place for several years, formal agreements are needed. Those agreements should state which programs and activities will take place at which sites, as well as the financial responsibilities of each local government involved. One important component of the plan is access. Since parks and recreation facilities are not useful unless they are accessible to the population to be served, the plan makes various provisions for access. In relation to new parks, the plan requires their locating in proximity to the population to be served. The plan also provides for bicycle and pedestrian, as well as vehicle, access to parks. In addition, the plan provides for the removal of access barriers to handicapped people. Not only does the plan address parks and recreation facilities; it also addresses open space. The plan provides for acquisition of environmentally sensitive areas as identified in the Conservation Element. In addition, the recreation and open space plan calls for establishment of open space areas through other means. These include requiring conservation easements in some development projects, and mandating minimum open space within all development projects. Page 49 of the Recreation and Open Space Element Supplement # Ordinance # 2005 Adopted 2005 Exhibit A