R06-086
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2 RESOLUTION R06- De 6
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4 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF
5 THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA,
6 APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE RECREATION
7 AND PARKS DEPARTMENT STRATEGIC PLAN FOR
8 RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT; AND
9 PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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11 WHEREAS, the Recreation and Parks Department has developed a strategic plan
12 that will act as a "road map" for the planning and development of parks and recreation
13 facilities for the next ten (10) years; and
14 WHEREAS, this Master Plan identifies the recreational needs of the citizens of
15 Boynton Beach as indicated in the System Map and the Comp Plan, as well as
16 recommending strategies and actions for meeting those needs; and
17 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
18 THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, THAT:
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Section 1.
The foregoing "Whereas" clauses are hereby ratified and confirmed as
20 being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this Resolution upon adoption.
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Section 2.
The City Commission of the City of Boynton Beach, Florida does
22 hereby approve and adopt the Recreation and Parks Department Strategic Plan for
23 Recreation and Open Space Element, a copy of the Plan is attached hereto as Exhibit "A".
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Section 3.
This Resolution will become effective immediately upon passage.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this Ie day of A(J1'il, 2006.
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CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
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a Tennis Court (2)
a Nature Preserve
· Madsen Center
a Program Room
a Shuffleboard Courts
· Senior Center
a Community Center with Meeting Rooms, Exercise
Room, Kitchen, Computer Room, Arts & Crafts Room
and Game Room
· Wilson Park and Center
a Community Center with Meeting Rooms
a Pool
a Basketball Court (2)
a Play Equipment
a Multipurpose Field
b. Future Recreational Facilities
· Intracoastal Park Clubhouse
a Community Center with Meeting and Program Rooms
· Wilson Center
a Existing building to be demolished
a New building will have gymnasium and meeting rooms
a Picnic Facilities
a Playground
a Pool to be renovated
B. Analysis
1. Park Land and Facilities
a. Existing Parks and Facilities
· Urban Open/Civic Space
a Bicentennial Park is a passive park on Federal
Highway. The park has little to attract visitors;
however, it will be greatly impacted by the
downtown redevelopment and will become a
critical part of the urban open space of the town
center. As development of the downtown
unfolds, it may be wise to consolidate this park
with Veteran's park.
a Edward F. Harmening Arbor Park is a small
passive park located adjacent to the East Water
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o Maintain, secure and manage eXlstmg and future parks and
open space in a manner that encourages appropriate use.
IV. PARK STANDARDS
A. Overview
Each community is unique. Every City has its own "personality" that differs
because of its demographic makeup. Due to differing geographical, cultural,
social, economic and environmental characteristics, each community must
select a set of standards, which best serves them for the cost of delivering
those services.
The parks and recreation system of a given City needs to reflect the needs of
the residents of that City by setting standards for appropriate service. The
standards are an expression of the essential facilities needed to provide the
level of park and recreation services desired by the residents in each
community. These standards are typically expressed as ratios such as acres of
park per 1,000 residents or numbers of tennis courts per 1000 residents. The
ratios are very useful in order to quickly assess the quantities and cost of the
projected needs. Standards should be practical and achievable, and provide for
equitable allocation of parks and recreation resources throughout the
community.
B. Description of Standards
The City of Boynton Beach has determined that the appropriate and
satisfactory leyel of services for park land is 3 acres per 1,000 residents. The
City of Boynton Beach currently has a level of service for park acreage of 2.5
acres per 1,000 residents. It has been determined that this is an appropriate
and satisfactory level of services. Currently, the City owns 245.85 acres of
developed park land which is more than sufficient to meet this level now and
in the future. Using a LOS of 3 aeres/1,000 residents, the City needs 195.62
acres to meet the LOS. f..dditionally, the City O\VflS 63030 acres of
undeveloped park land 'shieh will be developed as the population increases.
c. Needs Assessment
In 2002, the City of Boynton Beach completed a Parks and Recreation Needs
Assessment which indicated the following facilities were a priority with those
residents that participated in the survey:
· Neighborhood Parks
. Nature Trails
. Picnic Areas
89%
81%
80%
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. Playgrounds in Parks 7l%
. Fishing Piers 75%
. Amphitheater 65%
. Jogging Paths 64%
. Multipurpose Fields 63%
. Swimming Pools 60%
. Passive Recreation Areas 58%
. Greenways 57%
. Senior Center 56%
. Tennis Courts 55%
. Baseball Fields 53%
. Aquatic Facility 52%
. Basketball Courts 50%
. Teen Center 50%
. Skate Park 49%
. Football Fields 47%
. Boat Ramps 47%
. Soccer Fields 44%
. Dog Park 44%
D. Level of Standards
The existing Comprehensive Plan includes for following LOS.
CURRENT LOS AND NEEDS
65,208 - 2004 POPULATION
FACILITY CURRENT EXISTING NEED PER CURRENT
LOS FACILITIES POPULA TION NEED
Baseball/Softball, Youth 1/15,000 4 4 0
Baseball, Regulation 1/25,000 4 3 0
Basketball 1/3,000 13 22 9
Community Center (I) 1125,000 5 3 0
Fitness Trail (2) 1/30,000 2 2 0
F ootbalI/Soccer 1/40,000 I 2 I
Multipurpose Field 1/10,000 I 7 6
Racquetball Court 1/10,000 8 7 0
Picnic Area 1/6,000 21 II 0
Playground I 14,000 17 16 I
Shuffleboard I 12,500 16 26 10
Pool (3) 1140,000 I 2 2
Tennis Court I 12,000 31 33 2
Bocce Court N/A 3 N/A N/A
Volleyball Court N/A 4 N/A N/A
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Based on current trends in some recreational activities and on the 2002 Needs Assessment,
the following LOS are recommended.
RECOMMENDED LOS AND NEEDS
65,208 - 2004 POPULATION
FACILITY CURRENT EXISTING NEED PER CURRENT
LOS FACILITIES POPULA TION NEED
Baseball/Softball, Youth 1115,000 4 4 0
Baseball, Regulation 1/25,000 4 3 0
Basketball 1/4,000 13 16 3
Community Center (I) 1/25,000 5 3 0
Fitness Trail (2) 1/30,000 2 2 0
FootbalVSoccer 1/40,000 I 2 I
Multipurpose Field 1110,000 I 7 6
Racauetball Court I/lO,OOO 8 7 0
Picnic Area I /3,000 21 26 5
Playground I /4,000 17 22 5
Shuffleboard I /5,000 16 13 0
Pool (3) 1/40,000 I 2 I
Tennis Court 1 /2,000 31 33 2
Bocce Court I/25,000 3 3 0 1
Volleyball Court I/I5,OOO 4 4 0 j
Skate Park I/65,000 0 I I
V. MASTER PLAN
A. Conceptual Parks and Recreation System Map
The following is the Conceptual Parks and Recreation System map developed
through the strategic planning process by Glatting Jackson. It is a result of the
numerous meetings and the input from City staff, elected officials, board
members and the public.
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B. Future Park Improvements
THE VISION: CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH'S RECREA nON AND PARKS SYSTEM
The Vision for the City of Boynton Beach's Recreation and Parks System is to create
a green infrastructure system of interconnected pleasing, functional, and well-
maintained open spaces, parks, greenways, streets, and waterways that will provide
the permanent physical qualities of a great city. Implementation of this Vision will
enable the City's Recreation and Parks Department to accomplish its mission to
"engage Boynton Beach citizens in diverse recreational experiences, and to cultivate
parks and open spaces".
Working with City staff, members of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, and
interested citizens, Glatting Jackson first developed nomenclature for the different
components ofthe City's Park and Recreation System including:
. Urban Open / Civic Spaces
. Neighborhood Parks
. Community Parks
. Special use Facilities
. Water / Beach Access
· Greenways / Bikeways / Trails
· Conservation Lands
. Regional Parks
. Schools / School Parks
. Private Recreational Facilities
A long range plan was developed for each component of the System, responding to
existing and projected population and demographics, lifestyles and needs.
LIFESTYLES
Early in the planning process, it was determined that the parks and recreation needs of
City residents vary depending upon where they live. Therefore the City conducted a
"Lifestyles Workshop" on November 17, 2004 to discuss differences in both existing
and proposed lifestyles and recreation needs in the various quadrants. The notes from
the Workshop are attached (Meeting Minutes, November 17,2004).
District 1, the Southwest Quadrant, is characterized as an area of retirees living in
planned communities, most of which have their own private recreational amenities;
therefore the public recreation needs in this quadrant are primarily for large passive
parks and other opportunities for social interaction and recreation outside the private
communities. It is anticipated that this demographic Bet will change much over the
next 15 - 20 years.
District II, the Northeast Quadrant, is an older coastal community that is
experiencing changes in its demographic mix, with more families and young
professional couples moving into the area. This area of the City has more parks and
recreation facilities than any other, but many need to be expanded or upgraded to
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accommodate increasing demands. The community alw stated that they also needs
jogging trails, bike paths, and cultural/arts facilities within walking distance of
residents as in other districts in the City.
District Ill, the Southeast Quadrant, is also an area of changing demographics, and is
the most likely area to "gentrify" in the coming years. The community's parks system
needs to be expanded with more developed open space and recreation facilities to
meet the increasing demand. This can be accomplished with the existing inventory.
District IV, the Northwest Quadrant, is the highest income area of the City,
characterized as "typical suburbia". There are not enough parks and recreation
facilities to serve the youth and family-oriented lifestyle of this quadrant, and trails
and bike paths are also needed to meet the needs of this growing suburban
community.
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS
A Parks and Recreation System Conceptual Master Plan was developed to show the
locations of both existing and proposed facilities to meet the needs outlined above.
Following is a description of each of the proposed improvements. The propus;.;J
improvements are numbered to correspond to the locations shown on Parks and
Recreation System Map.
Urban Open / Civic Spaces
I. Bicentennial Park
· Complete renovation as a urban civic space for the downtown redevelopment
4. Veterans Park
· Complete renovation as a urban civic space for the downtown redevelopment
5. Proposed Town Square
· The City is currently in the process of redeveloping the Town Square area
with the intent of encouraging traditional Town Square uses such as
education, commerce, government, and social interaction. The City should
develop an Open Civic Space I Plaza within the Town Square that would
provide opportunities to bring the community together for special civic events
such as celebrations, festivals, concerts, art shows and other city-wide
activities that in turn could provide revenue for the city.
Neighborhood Parks
The City of Boynton Beach has ten (10) Neighborhood Parks in its current Park
System. As time and use have taken a toll on some of these facilities, eight (8) parks
were identified through workshops and interviews as having a need for retrofitting
and/or enhancement. In addition to these renovations, nine (9) parcels owned by the
City were identified to be developed as Neighborhood Parks in a phased fashion in
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19. New Neighborhood Park - Quantum Community Park Site
· Develop park to meet local residents' needs
20. New Neighborhood Park ~ Winchester Park Site
· Develop park to meet local residents' needs
Community Parks/ Centers
Out of the four (4) existing Community Parks/ Centers, one (1) was identified as
having a need for retrofitting and one (1) site was identified as potential Community
Park sites to be developed as the need arises.
9. Retrofit Wilson Center
· New community center
. Replace pool
· Multipurpose field
. Play equipment
· Consider spray ground
· Provide recreational access, i.e. canoe, kayak launch site, to adjacent Canal
Waterway.
· Landscaping
· Park furniture
10. New Community Park/Center - Nichols Road Site
· Develop a multi-purpose Community Park to meet residents' needs
Special Use Facilities
Three Special Use Facilities are proposed to be retrofitted, including two cemeteries.
Cemeteries were historically used as passive and contemplative parks. The City of
Boynton Beach has the opportunity to revive this tradition and provide its residents
with truly memorable and contemplative "Cemetery Parks."
2. Little League Park
· New well and renovated irrigation
· Replace dugouts
· Renovate restrooms
11. Retrofit Barton Memorial Park
· Consider developing Barton Memorial Park as a "Cemetery Park" that
includes historical context.
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12. Retrofit Congress Avenue Community Center Park
· Upgrade the Tennis Center to meet residents' needs (in progress)
· Boundless Playground
· Community building and restroom Boundless Center
· Gardens
· Pavilions
· Walking trail
· Landscaping
. Park furniture
13. Retrofit Sara Sims Park
· Consider developing Barton Park as a "Cemetery Park" that includes
historical context
· Complete park renovation to include
o New restrooms
o Picnic areas with pavilions
o Play equipment
o Single rail fence
o Multipurpose field
Water! Beach Access
6. Oceanfront Park
· Replacement of boardwalk
· Rebuild guard towers
. Add 2nd story to office
· Enlarge maintenance building
· Single rail fence
· Catwalk over the dune
· Additionallighting
· Install stairs from lower parking lot
· Handicap walking to beach
· Paint all buildings
Greenways! Bikeways! Trails
In August 2004 the City Commission approved, in concept, the City of Boynton
Beach Greenway and Bikeway Master Plan, which establishes an interconnected
system of Greenways, Blueways, Bikeways and Trails throughout the City. This
System has been incorporated into the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, as follows:
1. Palmetto Greens
· Renovate restrooms
· Expand the greenway to 1-95
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B. Funding Sources
A significant challenge for the City of Boynton Beach in meeting public
recreation demands is funding. Significant financial investment is necessary
for physical development, land acquisition, maintenance and programming.
Implementing the recommendations of the Strategic Plan hinges on the ability
to secure funding from multiple sources and responding with effective
management of parks and recreation facilities and programs.
The major impediment to the implementation of the plan is the lack of
adequate dedicated funding sources for both capital and land acquisitions, and
for ongoing park management. Currently, significant funding deficiencies
exist for these. The folJowing funding sources are a comprehensive listing of
funding options that the City should consider.
1. Park Impact Fees
The City of Boynton Beach currently assesses new development for
park impact fees. The purpose of this is to implement the capital
facilities element of the Comprehensive Plan by:
a. Ensuring that adequate park, recreation, open space and trail
facilities are available to serve new development.
b. Maintaining the high quality of life in Boynton Beach by ensuring
that adequate facilities are available to serve growth thereby
providing for the needs of new growth and maintaining existing
service levels for present businesses and residents.
c. Establishing standards and procedures whereby new development
pays its proportionate share of the costs of park, recreation, open
space and trail facilities.
Existing fees are charged as folJows:
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Single-Family, Detached Unit
Single-Family, Attached Unit
Multi-Family Unit
$940.00 Per Unit
$771.00 Per Unit
$656.00 Per Unit
.
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Consideration is begin given to increasing the impact fees to assure
that sufficient funds are collected to cover the costs of adequate
park and recreation facilities.
2. eRA Fundine
It is expected that CRA funds wi]] be used to renovate existing and/or
build new parks in the CRA district.
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