Residents participate in park plan process

More than 1,000 Yorba Linda residents have participated in surveys, interviews and focus group discussions aimed at completing an updated “master plan” to guide this city's parks and recreation programs into the year 2030.

The wide-ranging views of these participants are incorporated in a draft version of a document that will replace a 1982 plan adopted when the city had half of its present population, if the new plan wins City Council approval, anticipated by year's end.

In addition to a community-wide written and web-based questionnaire, the wisely extensive outreach effort involved sports leagues, service clubs and business groups, senior citizens, cultural and other specific-interest organizations.

The process is led by a city-hired consultant who is also working with a council-appointed committee to update the city's General Plan, a state-required document outlining land-use policies and potential property development.

(Future columns will examine aspects of the new General Plan, which will update the city's original low-density document endorsed by voters in 1972 and revised in 1993.)

Among key stakeholders involved in use of park facilities are youth sports leagues--baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball. Annual participation is estimated at 6,000-7,000 individuals, about 60 percent of city youth aged 5-18.

Comments from leaders of 11 sports organizations noted the need for more fields due to scheduling conflicts, better maintenance on some fields, lighted fields, a soccer-lacrosse complex and a third gymnasium.

Leaders of other organizations, including service clubs and business groups, cited needs for neighborhood parks, maintenance of existing facilities, sports facilities, public meeting rooms and locations for events and performances as priorities.

A community theater, concerts in the park and art fairs were needs noted by cultural leaders, with all wanting “art in public places” and “opportunities for local artists to display their work.”

The interesting community-wide survey involved about an equal number of people from the east, central and west portions of the city, along with non-residents who use local programs.

One of 18 questions asked “What is the one program, class or special event you would most like to see added in Yorba Linda to meet the needs of the members of your household?” with 70 percent responding “None, Yorba Linda offers everything our family needs.”

But other answers cited music, theater, dance and art needs, along with “a large multi-use park that serves the entire community,” expanded trails, neighborhood parks, sports complex, preservation of open space and an equestrian center mentioned as highly desired park types.

Based on answers to two questions, the consultant suggested “the city could get a minimum 60 per cent yes vote on a tax assessment of at least $15 per year” for park projects, such as maintenance, upgrades, open-space preservation and providing programs and activities.