2010-252A (11) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Comprehensive Plan Recreation and Open Space Element As funding becomes available in the future, the county should continue to acquire additional environmental land. Level of Service Standards In 2005, an impact fee study that assessed park needs was conducted. That study established a LOS standard of 6.61 acres per 1,000 permanent residents plus weighted seasonal population for unincorporated Indian River County. The current standard is based on the existing 1,528 acres of parkland in the unincorporated county and the unincorporated county functional population of 96,680. This translates to a demand of 639 acres and a surplus of 889 acres. Based on generally accepted national standards for parks as well as the county's demographic characteristics, 6.61 is an appropriate standard. Often, residents and tourists use parks within several different jurisdictions. In Indian River County, this means that municipal parks serve County residents as well as municipal residents, and that County parks serve municipal residents as well as County residents. This makes it difficult to determine the population to be served by each jurisdiction. The level of service standard, however, is based on the unincorporated area functional population and the unincorporated area parkland acreage. Population Projections The principal determinant of future park and recreation needs is the projected future population. As population increases, there is a need for more parklands and recreational facilities. In the Introductory Element of the County's Comprehensive Plan, there are projections of not only the resident population of the County, but also the functional population of the County. The functional population is the resident population plus the seasonal population. While not a major tourist area, Indian River County can be expected to attract an increasing number of tourists and an increasing seasonal population in the coming years. Some of the factors contributing to the growth of tourism are the ideal winter climate; access to beaches, water facilities, and other recreation facilities; and proximity to other major attractions in the state. The seasonal population used in the development of the comprehensive plan is not intended to provide an enumeration or total count of persons who visit Indian River County throughout any given year, but rather to provide an estimate of the potential peak season population. Overall, the projected population determines future needs for parks and recreation facilities. Community Development Department Indian River County 42