Agenda Packet_2023-03-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Access to Parks Park space is a limited and valuable resource that provides multiple benefits to those living and working in Santa Ana. It provides a place of relaxation and reprieve from the urban environment. It also offers a place to gather, celebrate, learn, or exercise, whether one is alone, with friends or family, or with other members of the community. The City boasts a variety of resources and provides hundreds of acres for public open space and recreation. However, many neighborhoods in the city continue to lack public parks in the amount and proximity needed to adequately service residents. The City's General Plan provides goals and policies to explore ways to provide parkland at a ratio of three acres per 1,000 residents citywide and a more equitable distribution across the many neighborhoods that make up Santa Ana. 2 Parks Master Plan In 2022, the City adopted its first ever Parks Master Plan (PMP). The PMP is a long-range plan that will guide the City's investment in parks, park facilities, and open space for the next ten years. The PMP is a community -driven document developed through an 18- month long process that combined broad resident and stakeholder engagement with a data -driven technical analysis to identify community needs. City staff, key stakeholders, and city leaders, together, formed a Park Advisory Group to guide the four -phased planning process. Feedback gathered from more than 2,000 residents, six commissions, 24 partner or stakeholder organizations, and 16 pop-up activities directly informed and was utilized to arrive at the adopted PMP. PMP Mission Statement "We steward our parks, offer engaging recreation opportunities, and connect our diverse community through trails and programs to create a vibrant, livable city." NEEDS FOR IMPROVED ARK ACCESS 40 �_A_ N_� PMP Key Initiatives 4. / 5. 6. 7. »Above: Parks Master Plan cover and plan 8 pages. Acquire land and develop parks. Ensure equitable access to parks. Create interconnected network of bike and pedestrian trials. Create recreation facilities that reflect needs of diverse community. Implement programming that supports community health, empowerment, development, and lifelong learning. Manage and maintain assets through good stewardship, proactive asset management, and wise use of resources to support a sustainable, resilient, safe, and comfortable park system. Engage residents and stakeholders in enhancing parks and recreation opportunities. Diversify funding to support the capital and operational investment needed. City Council 21 8 — 28 3/21/2023