Title
Vote on a request to approve the Earl Thompson Park Master Plan and Southwest Park Master Plan
Abstract
Action Requested:
Motion to approve the Earl Thompson Park Master Plan and Southwest Park Master Plan
Introduction & Background:
The Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan was completed February 2019. A recommendation from the master plan is to upgrade park master plans and cost estimates to reflect changes in demographics and recreation trends, and current construction costs. In order to begin the process to upgrade the plans, the staff decided to complete park master plans for the first two parks constructed by the department and ecstatically both parks are located on each end of the county and the two parks are The Earl Thompson Park and Southwest District Park.
Discussion & Analysis:
The Earl Thompson Park is located in Bynum and the Southwest District Park is located next to Chatham Central High School. The overall approach for the master plans was to leveraged the results of the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan input as well as facilitate additional public open houses specific to the parks. At each meeting, attendees were asked to provide input on response boards as well as complete a small questionnaire. The recreation staff offered desired park amenities and park programming. The Landscape Architects gathered all the information and completed a redevelopment of the two parks to produce the master plans. The final product is a park rendering, community engagement summary and a master plan level cost estimate.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan:
Provide recreational opportunities and access to open space.
Budgetary Impact:
Full buildout cost estimate of $2,802,638.95 for Earl Thompson Park and $5,088,393.70 for Southwest Park. Grants and other funding options will be pursued to potentially offset the cost.
Recommendation
Motion to approve the Earl Thompson Park Master Plan and Southwest Park Master Plan.
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