2010-252A (11) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Comprehensive Plan Recreation and Open Space Element demographics, local characteristics should be considered when determining what standard is appropriate. Based on the National Recreation and Park Association guidelines and the 2005 countywide functional population of approximately 130,000, the table below provides an indication of the number of facilities needed within the county. As the table indicates, the County needs 26 basketball courts, 26 volleyball courts, 26 baseball/softball fields, 6 football fields, 13 soccer fields, and 65 tennis courts. Since one 18 -hole golf course is recommended for every 50,000 people, three golf courses would meet that minimum need. Overall, the NPRA guidelines recommend that a community have one public swimming pool per 20,000 population, thus requiring seven pools to meet that standard for Indian River County's 2005 functional population. It should, however, be noted that there are no county operated pool facilities south of S.R. 60. Table 10.8 Recreation Facility Standards Activity/Facility Unit/pop. Units needed based on 130,000 pop Units Provided 2005 Provider of Facilities Basketball 1 per 5,000 26 51 Schools/public Tennis 1 per 2,000 65 101+ Schools/ ublic/ rivate* Volleyball 1 per 5,000 26 50+ Schools/ ublic/ rivate* Baseball/Softball 1 per 5,000 26 27 Schools/public Football 1 per 20,000 6 5 Schools/public Golf (18 hole) 1 per 50,000 3 20 public/private* swimming Pools 1 per 20,000 7 10+ public/private* Soccer Fields 1 per 10,000 13 16** School/Public/Private * Private facilities which are open to the public for a fee ** 16 individual layouts, however, the soccer association counts them as 11 fields With the exception of football fields, Indian River County has sufficient recreation facilities to meet the minimum guidelines suggested by NRPA. Since the county usually builds multi-purpose fields that can be used for several different activities, football fields can also be used as soccer fields, and volleyball courts may also be used for tennis or basketball courts. According to the Introductory Element of the Indian River County Comprehensive Plan, the median age of the County's population in 2005 was 47, with approximately 16% of the population at school age (6 -19 years). Given that demographic makeup, five football fields are most likely sufficient for Indian River County's 2005 population. Over the last ten years, there has been an increase in the total number of recreational facilities in the County. Many of these recreational facilities are provided in conjunction with schools. As a matter of fact, the majority of basketball courts, volleyball courts, baseball/softball fields and football fields within Indian River County are located adjacent to schools. Although some school recreation facilities may have use restrictions, school recreation facilities that Community Development Department Indian River County 39