Parks 'master plan' gets needed update

 Yorba Linda's 31-year-old “master plan” for parks and recreation is in the process of a much-needed update, with a 294-page draft version making the rounds of city groups with purview over 1,072 acres of parkland and more than $5 million in annual operating expenses.

The document has been viewed by two City Council-appointed bodies, the General Plan Advisory Committee that is overseeing updates for the parks plan and the overall General Plan and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Council action is expected by year's end.

The city's population has doubled to about 65,000 since the1982 parks plan was adopted, and expectations are the number will rise to 68,000 within five years and continue to grow at a rate of one to two percent each year for the next 20 years.

According to the draft plan, an understanding of population size and expected growth are key factors in planning for “the appropriate number of recreational facilities.” Continuing changes in population categories also are important elements in planning for future use.

For example, the largest percentage increase in population is among senior citizens 65 years and over, with the 7.7 percent share in 2000 expected to grow to more than 16 percent before 2018. One projection estimates the city's age 55 and over population at 33 percent by 2025.

Currently, census figures put the city's senior population aged 55 and over at 18,678. Other population figures in city recreation programming categories include 3,094 for preschool and toddlers to age 5; 14,495 for youth and teens aged 6-19; and 29,150 for adults aged 20-54.

Compared to a previously established goal of providing 15 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents the city has 1,072 acres, more than the 975 acres required under the formula.

But the city is deficient by 183 acres in meeting a recommended standard of 325 acres for neighborhood and community parks, mini-parks and greenbelts, since the 1,072-acre total includes 611 in three regional parks, 75 in school facilities and 219 at Black Gold Golf Club.

Of course, added parks and programs would require more money, and the draft document noted current funding levels probably “will be insufficient to acquire, develop, maintain and operate recreational programs at existing and new park sites to meet anticipated demands.”

The city would continue to require developers to provide land or fees to fund parkland acquisition and improvements and establish joint-use agreements with other agencies.

And stated in the plan text are recommendations to consider new sources of funding, such as “the sale of bonds, user fees, assessment districts and other sources that may be identified at a future date for park development and maintenance.”

Also suggested is consideration of “revenue bonds and park bonds with a voter-approved assessment to fund specific facilities that would serve the entire city.”

Results from the plan's survey of 1,000 residents and other details will be covered in future columns.