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The purpose of the Open Space Element is to identify and preserve open space areas that <br />provide value to the community and enrich the quality of life. Such lands or waters provide <br />value in the form of recreation, health, biodiversity, wildlife conservation and aesthetics. <br />Additionally, open spaces are used for climate change mitigation and adaption, flood risk <br />reduction, managed natural resources production, agricultural production, and protection from <br />hazardous conditions. The Open Space Element will guide the City in its efforts to plan for <br />open space lands in what is largely a built -out, urban environment. <br />The Open Space Element is a mandated component of all general plans in the State of <br />California pursuant to Government Code Section 65560. This Element will address open space <br />issues related to natural resources, managed production of resources, outdoor recreation, and <br />public health and safety. Open space goals related to conservation of natural resources and <br />land uses are found in the Conservation and Land Use Elements, respectively. <br />Community Considerations <br />Through the community engagement process for this General Plan, participants identified <br />numerous open space considerations and values that they believe should form the basis of and <br />be addressed by this element. Specifically, participants highlighted the following topics, areas <br />of concern, and community strengths that are addressed by this Element: <br />• Insufficient open space for population <br />• Inequitable distribution of open space <br />• Unsafe parks <br />• ADA accessibility <br />• Lack of facility maintenance <br />• Need for more community centers <br />• More public events and programming <br />• Senior services needed <br />• Great cultural amenities (Bowers, Discovery Science Center, Zoo) <br />General Plan Policy Framework 65A-41 35 <br />