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Comprehensive Plan Recreation and Open Space Element In Indian River County, the recreation and open space policy of the Board of County Commissioners has been consistent over time, evolving to an ever more active role in the area of recreation and open space. These policies are best illustrated by considering the two main components of the local recreation and open space system. These are: site acquisition/facility development and program development. Past policies, however, are probably best reflected by existing conditions, since existing parks, recreation facilities, open spaces, and recreation programs were established, acquired, or developed based upon past local policy decisions. Site Acquisition/Facility Development Until the late 1970's, Indian River County did not have an active recreation and open space acquisition and development program. Beginning in the early 1980's, however, the county embarked upon a more ambitious program of acquisition and development of parks. That program complemented and conserved the county's major natural resources. To that end, the county focused on acquiring beachfront sites, providing beach and river access, and developing a county -owned golf course. That policy resulted in an emphasis on the acquisition of resource-based facilities, while giving a lower priority to providing neighborhood parks and related facilities. During the first half of the 1980's, the county took two major actions to acquire and develop recreational parks. In 1982, the county issued five million dollars in bonds in order to acquire beachfront property and to match state Save Our Coasts funds for additional beachfront land acquisition. Then, in 1985, the county issued another bond to construct an eighteen hole public golf course on part of an existing park site. Since then, the county has continued to focus on resource- based park development through its Environmental Lands Acquisition Program. Since 1990, however, the county has focused on the provision of user -based facilities. In so doing, the county developed South County Park, an 80 acre site containing several multi-purpose fields, tennis courts, and a playground. The county also provided user -based facilities through coordination with the cities of Vero Beach, Sebastian, and Fellsmere. For example, the county provided approximately 50% of the cost of developing the Barber Street Complex in Sebastian. Similarly, the county paid for approximately 50% of Fellsmere's parks and recreation improvements. A comparable situation exists at the 16th Street Ballfields. Although located in the City of Vero Beach, the land is owned by the county. Program Development Like its acquisition program, Indian River County's current recreation programs and services began in the late seventies. In 1977, the county established North County Recreation, Inc.. Created to provide recreation services to residents of the north county, North County Recreation offered a number of recreation programs and activities at several sites. Also offering recreation programs and services was the Gifford Recreation Program. Community Development Department Indian River County 5