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2014 Schertz Parks Master Plan - 14-S-41
2014 Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Schertz, Texas 7/8/2014 City of Schertz Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! The Members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board are pleased to submit the City of Schertz Parks & Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live & Play! This new plan, built on the foundation of the city’s 2001 Comprehensive Land Plan and the 2007 Parks & Open Space Master Plan, strives to set the vision for the growth and expansion of our city’s parks and open spaces, as well as plan for the maintenance and improvement of our existing parks and facilities. Our plan was developed with input from multiple sources from the city staff, several of the city’s Boards and Commissions and direct input from our citizens. We hope it captures the needs of a rapidly growing community, while preserving the “small town” feeling that the residents of Schertz prefer. This long range plan addresses all aspects of the city’s park and recreation system and covers a variety of issues, ranging from management, funding, maintenance and operations, parks standards and facility requirements, athletics and our partnership with local youth organizations, the expansion of our athletic fields and aquatics programs, the addition of new activities like a Skate Park and Dog Park, as well as and other key concerns. As in any comprehensive analysis, this document contains many recommendations. Our recommendations include actions that address immediate needs as well as long term actions that will guide the city in its future growth. We look forward to helping guide the city in developing a “State of the Art” Parks & Recreation system, which we can all be proud of! Sincerely, Mustapha Debboun Parks & Recreation Advisory Chair City of Schertz Introduction Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! City of Schertz Introduction Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! ORDINANCE NO. 14-S-41 AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN AND OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas (the “City”) desires to maintain an updated Comprehensive Land Use Plan by fulfilling many of the goals outlined in the Schertz Parks Plan that that provides for a diverse blend of parks, encourages conservation of natural resources and promotes a variety of recreational opportunities. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Schertz recognizes the need for a Strategic Parks and Recreation Master Plan (the Plan) to provide goals, assessments, standards, recommendations and strategies for implementation over a five year period in an effort to provide for and continually improve park and recreational facilities, provide trail opportunities, preserve open spaces and rehabilitate existing parks in the City of Schertz; and WHEREAS, the primary objective of the Plan is to provide recreational services desired by the citizens of Schertz, acquire needed open spaces and preserve natural resources; and WHEREAS, the City of Schertz has sought input from the citizens of Schertz through surveys, public input meetings, and the Parks and Recreation staff; and that input has been incorporated into the Plan; and WHEREAS, the Plan complies with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department master plan guidelines which require parks and recreation needs to be prioritized and addressed in an action plan format; and WHEREAS, the City Council, having taken into consideration the results of the in-depth study conducted by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for the City of Schertz, determines that the Plan is reasonable; NOW WHEREAS, the City’s Unified Development Code Section 21.4.6.D. provides for certain conditions to be considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission in making recommendations to City Council and by City Council in considering final action on an amendment to the Comprehensive Land Plan (the “Conditions”); and WHEREAS, on July 23, 2014, the Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing and, after considering the Conditions, hereby makes a recommendation of approval of the amendment to the Comprehensive Land Plan by adopting the associated Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! set forth in Exhibit A attached herein (the “Parks Master Plan”); and WHEREAS, on August 5, 2014 the City Council conducted a public hearing and after considering the Conditions and recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission, determined that the amendment to the Comprehensive Land Plan be approved as provided for herein. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS: THAT: Section 1. The current Comprehensive Land Plan is hereby amended to incorporate the Parks Master Plan as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto. Section 2. The recitals contained in the preamble hereof are hereby found to be true, and such recitals are hereby made a part of this Ordinance for all purposes and are adopted as a part of the judgment and findings of the Council. Section 3. All ordinances and codes, or parts thereof, which are in conflict or inconsistent with any provision of this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict, and the provisions of this Ordinance shall be and remain controlling as to the matters resolved herein. Section 4. This Ordinance shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and the United States of America. Section 5. If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be held to be invalid, the remainder of this Ordinance and the application of such provision to other persons and circumstances shall nevertheless be valid, and the City hereby declares that this Ordinance would have been enacted without such invalid provision. Section 6. It is officially found, determined, and declared that the meeting at which this Ordinance is adopted was open to the public and public notice of the time, place, and subject matter of the public business to be considered at such meeting, including this Ordinance, was given, all as required by Chapter 551, as amended, Texas Government Code. Section 7. This Ordinance shall be effective upon the date of final adoption hereof and any publication required by law. Section 8. This Ordinance shall be cumulative of all other ordinances of the City of Schertz, and this Ordinance shall not operate to repeal or affect any other ordinances of the City of Schertz except insofar as the provisions thereof might be inconsistent or in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance, in which event such conflicting provisions, if any, are hereby repealed. Approved on first reading the 5th day of August, 2014. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on final reading the 12th day of August, 2014. ____________________________________ Michael R. Carpenter, Mayor ATTEST: ________________________________ Brenda Dennis, City Secretary City of Schertz Introduction Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Acknowledgements City of Schertz - City Council Michael Carpenter - Mayor Jim Fowler - Council Member Place 1 David Scagliola - Council Member Place 2 Daryl John - Council Member Place 3 Cedric Edwards - Council Member Place 4 Matthew Duke - Council Member Place 5 City of Schertz - City Staff John Kessel - City Manager Brian James - Executive Director John Bierschwale - Executive Director David J. Harris - Executive Director Katherine Tapley - City Attorney Brenda Dennis - City Secretary Juan Santoya - Finance Director Sam Willoughby - Public Works City of Schertz - Parks & Recreation Department Staff George Logan - Director of Community Services Sandy Bryant - Senior Administrative Assistant Chuck Van Zandt - Parks Manager Michael Trainor - Parks Foreman Phil Gaudreau - Owners Representative City of Schertz - Information Technology Department Staff Myles Clauser - Director, Information Technologies City of Schertz - GIS Staff Tony McFalls - GIS Coordinator City of Schertz – Planning & Zoning Staff Michelle Sanchez - Director, Development Services Lesa Wood - Senior Planner City of Schertz – Public Affairs Staff Mary Spence - Events Coordinator Sherry Davis - 311 Chuck McCullough - Editor, Schertz Magazine City of Schertz – Library Gail Douglas - Library Director Melissa Uhlhorn - Assistant Library Director Parks & Recreation Advisory Staff Mustapha Debboun - Chair Robert Wallace - Vice Chair Aundra Davis Mark Davis Samantha Henness Sally Macias Floy Simmons Harriet Higgs Patrick Russell Johnie McDow Regina Agee Planning & Zoning Commission David Richmond - Chair Ernest Evans Jr. - Vice Chair Christian Glombik Ken Greewald Richard Braud Bert Crawford Michael Dahle City of Schertz - Economic Development Corporation Schertz Cibolo Universal City Independent School District City of Schertz Introduction Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Index Chapter 1 – Forward Mission Statement Page 1.2 Vision Statement Page 1.3 Master Plan 2014 Goals Page 1.4 Chapter 2 - Executive Summary Our Community Page 2.2 Demographics Summary Page 2.3 Planning Guidance Summary Page 2.4 Summary of Current State Page 2.6 Summary of Desired State Page 2.7 Plan Priorities Page 2.8 Chapter 3 – History and Demographics Schertz History Page 3.2 Current City Demographics Page 3.4 Chapter 4 – Current Inventory Purpose of Inventory Page 4.2 Park Classifications Page 4.3 Current Inventory Page 4.10 Recreation Programs Inventory Page 4.36 Current Partnerships Page 4.37 Operating and Maintenance Standards Page 4.38 Maintenance Activities Page 4.40 Deferred Maintenance Page 4.42 Chapter 5 – Citizen Survey and Public Input Public Input Survey Page 5.2 Survey Results Page 5.6 Chapter 6 - Desired State & Needs Analysis Needs Overview Page 6.2 Needs Assessment Process Page 6.3 Schertz Parks Standards Page 6.6 Other Planning Efforts in Schertz Page 6.54 Chapter 7 – Goals, Objectives and Specific Actions Gap Summary Page 7.2 Current Level of Needs Page 7.5 Planning Principles Page 7.6 Goals & Objectives and Specific Actions Page 7.9 Recommended Action Plans Page 7.17 Chapter 8 - Plan Summary Summary of Citizen Input Page 8.2 Summary of Current Inventory Page 8.3 Summary of Desired State Page 8.4 & Identified Gaps Summary of Goals & Objectives & Specific Actions Page 8.5 Appendix A - Public Input Survey Results B – Funding & Potential Grant Sources C – Recommended Standard Park Amenities City of Schertz Introduction Diversity Accommodation Conservation Opportunity Connectivity Chapter Contents: - Mission Statement - Vision Statement - Goals Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! City of Schertz Chapter 1 Forward City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 1.2 Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Mission Statement “To provide a forum to communicate between the citizens and city officials in the stewardship and conservation of Schertz’s natural and recreational resources, while promoting the well-being of the community and improvement of the quality of life for all residents.” City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 1.3 Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Vision Statement “We strive to comply with our mission statement by creating an outstanding environment for both the customer and the employee. The use of teamwork is what makes the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and the Parks & Recreation Department one of the best around. This teamwork allows the Board to advise City Council and the Parks & Recreation Department in planning, development, maintenance, and usage of park and recreational facilities and programs.” City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 1.4 Parks & Recreation Goals Goal 1 Provide a diverse blend of parks, recreation and open space areas to accommodate the current and future needs of Schertz’s residents. Goal 2 Encourage the conservation of natural resources through acquisition of parks and recreation areas, preservation of open space, and environmentally sensitive planning. Goal 3 Encourage and promote a variety of recreational opportunities including cultural activities, community activities and special events to enhance recreation and education opportunities for residents and tourists. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 2.1 Diversity Accommodation Conservation Opportunity Connectivity Chapter Contents: - Executive Summary - Our Community - Planning Guidance - Current State of Parks & Recreation - Desired State of Parks & Recreation - Plan Priorities Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! City of Schertz Chapter 2 Executive Summary City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 2.2 Executive Summary This executive summary will briefly explain the background information including city growth and demographics; planning guidance used by the city; the existing status of parks and recreation, including on-going projects, and finally; the city’s needs, recommendations and priorities. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan, carries forward the goals and objectives first developed in the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan, adopted in 2001. Furthermore, it is congruent with the concepts proposed in the 2013 Schertz Sector Plan. Our Community Schertz, Texas, is located approximately 15 miles northeast of San Antonio and sits within three counties: Bexar, Guadalupe and Comal. Today, Schertz is the largest city within the Randolph Metrocom. Since the late 1990s, Schertz has experienced unprecedented growth. In just over five years, from 2000 to 2005, the city’s population jumped from 18,694 to 26,463. In 2006 alone, the population rose from 26,463 to over 34,000. During that same period, the city platted 1,357 new lots and the growth shows no sign of slowdown. In 2007, Schertz was voted as “One of the Best Places to Live” by CNN Money, coming in at No. 40 and was named to the list again in 2009, coming in at No. 39. In 2013, the city was identified as one of the safest cities in Texas by Safewise, a home security company, which ranked Schertz No. 28 on a list of the 50 Safest Cities in Texas. The city was also noted by CNN Money Magazine in 2013 for its contribution to Guadalupe county, which was rated at No. 4 on their list of “Where the jobs are” with a 12.2% job growth rate. As Schertz continues to grow, it is an opportune time to revitalize our parks and recreation programs to further enhance Schertz’s quality of life, build tax revenue, and promote community pride and identity. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 2.3 Demographics Schertz is a community with young, active families that have clearly expressed the need for a well-planned, robust Parks and Recreation program. They have continually displayed strong support for our existing facilities and programs. Survey data and public input indicate that there appears to be a strong desire to continue devoting adequate resources to Parks and Recreation in order to maintain and improve the quality of life for our residents. Seventy-three percent of survey respondents were between the ages of 25 and 54. Over 67% of those participating in the Parks and Recreation Survey identified themselves as families with three or more persons residing in their household and 31% indicated they had two or more children in their residence. 65% indicated that they have lived in Schertz for more than six years. Sixty-six percent of survey respondents indicated that they use our parks one or more times a month. Additionally, 94% of respondents identified an important need for establishing greenways and trails to connect our parks and facilities and 67% felt that the city should acquire additional land for parks. When asked to rank their priorities, survey respondents indicated that the highest need was for more hike and bike trails, followed by additional natural or open spaces. The recreational activities that scored the highest interest include hiking (89.9%), biking (87.5%) and health/wellness programs (86%). City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 2.4 Planning Guidance Summary The Comprehensive Land Plan The Comprehensive Land Plan recognized that a parks and recreation system that met the needs of the residents was a key element in their quality of life. A properly designed and managed system contributes to the city in many ways, including the health of its residents, preserving the natural environment and contributing to the economic development and financial well-being of the community. Schertz has always had a desire to provide a quality parks and recreation program to its residents, and has worked hard to achieve the goals and objectives adopted by city residents, planners and staff. Many of the issues identified during the development of the Comprehensive Land Use plan in 2001 have been resolved or addressed, are in the process for completion at the time of this plan, or have been imbedded in the city’s culture and are actively guiding current planning and development! The following general planning principles from the Comprehensive Land Plan are still valid and should be used for future planning purposes to guide parks and recreation development. Parks and Recreation Issues Guiding Principles (From the 2001 Comprehensive Land Plan) • Expanding and improving Cibolo Creek into a linear park; • Enforcing existing development regulations and codes – requiring sufficient, usable park space set asides, with the necessary physical improvements; • Providing more parks, especially with activities for teens; • Developing a parks department and/or a parks commission; • Increasing cooperation with adjacent municipalities and counties; • Developing and maintaining partnerships between the public and private sectors, school districts, and other entities; • Linking facilities, parks and schools with trails and walkways; • Increasing public information about parks programs and activities; and, • Providing a richness of facilities and programs for persons of all ages. Physical improvements include: • Multi-purpose community center; • Additional public swimming pools • Fishing, hiking and bird watching • Natural habitat observation activities along Cibolo Creek; • More trails (hiking, biking); • Additional mini/pocket parks; • Parks in the South Schertz; • Amphitheater and performing arts venue; • Athletic complex; • Indoor recreation facilities; • Interpretive centers for indigenous species (wildlife observation); and, • Annotated interpretive pathways and signage along creeks, environmentally and historically significant areas and sites. Potential program enhancements: • Arts, culture and education; • Free activities; • Multi-cultural education; • Activities for all ages, in particular adolescents, teens and seniors; • Concerts in the park; • Facilities for skate boarding, roller blading and BMX bicycling; • Historic preservation; and, • Entertainment. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 2.5 Parks and Recreation Planning Principles from the Comprehensive Land Plan There are common parks and recreation planning principles that ensure a balanced emphasis on the public and private sectors; indoor and outdoor opportunities; and the integration of space, services, and facilities. These principles include that: • All people should have equal access to recreational areas, activities, services, and facilities regardless of personal interest, age, gender, income, cultural background, housing environment, or handicap; • Public recreation should be highly coordinated among public institutions and private entities to avoid duplication and encourage cooperation; • Public recreation should incorporate public services such as education, health and fitness, transportation, and leisure; • Facilities should be well planned and coordinated to ensure adequate adaptability to future needs and requirements; • The availability of financial resources should be considered in all phases of planning, acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of spaces and facilities; • Public participation is critical to the eventual success of the parks and recreation system and should, therefore, be included in all stages of the process; • The process should offer continuous opportunities for incremental evaluation and review; • Other existing plans that affect the area should be integrated into the final recommendations and ultimately in implementation; • There should be established procedures for acquiring land for future parks and recreation areas and facilities prior to development; and, • The design of spaces and facilities should encourage the most efficient utilization of land and consider the needs, desires, and opinions of the intended users. Schertz Sector Plan In 2013, the City completed a Sector Plan to help guide future development in Schertz. The sector plan recommendations support this Parks Master Plan in validating the high interest and priority placed by the residents on Hike & Bike trails. It also identified the importance of addressing thoroughfares and undevelopable corridors and formalizing our plans for the development of pathways and trails in support of a citywide pedestrian plan. Public presentation during sector planning Citizen working groups in planning process City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 2.6 Summary of Current State Existing Parks System Schertz has dedicated significant resources to building a quality Parks and Recreation program. Presently, the city maintains 13 developed city parks, covering more than 340 acres. The city has also identified an additional eight park locations, covering more than 33 acres that are undeveloped or are in the initial stages of development. Supplementing the city parks system is a network of parks owned and maintained by various homeowners’ associations in the city. HOA parks and dedicated open space reserves provide an additional 18 locations, covering more than 41 acres. Furthermore, three additional developments are currently platted with over 87 acres of land tentatively identified as a mix of dedicated city park space and undeveloped open space. Finally, several facilities owned by the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District (SCUCISD) provide additional opportunities for recreation within the city. SCUCISD facilities include eight schools and one athletic complex, which are available to some degree for utilization by the residents when not directly required for school activities. For community and recreational activities, the city provides and maintains a civic center, two community centers, a library, a senior center and a city recreation center and two outdoor swimming pools. Throughout the city, a network of approximately 18 miles of trails and paths are available for use, as well as several marked bicycle lanes on established city streets and roadways. Finally, the city has two natural drainage systems, Cibolo creek and Dietz creek, which can serve to provide additional natural open spaces and connectivity paths. The city has extensive “partnerships” to augment its recreation program and provide services to its residents, including agreements with the Buffalo Valley Youth Association (BVYA), the Schertz Youth Soccer Alliance (SYSA) and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Current Projects New projects on the horizon include the development of a dedicated dog park, a skate park, renovation of the Schertz Ballpark Complex, renovation of the Schertz Soccer Complex, addition of a city natatorium, and a park plaza dedicated as a veterans memorial. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 2.7 Summary of Desired State The desired state for the city’s parks and recreation program in this plan was developed after a complete inventory of existing facilities was conducted. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board then examined the results of the citizen survey, reviewed on-going projects, and compared Schertz and its parks system to other Texas cities of comparable size and to national parks standard and recommendations. Finally, the Board reviewed growth projections for the city to identify projected shortfalls in the system, identify existing gaps in service and provide recommendations for future parks development and projects. Identified Gaps & Recommendations Although the city has initiated numerous improvements to the Schertz parks and recreation system in recent years, the Board identified several areas that should be addressed in the upcoming years as the city grows. Complete analysis is included in Chapter 6 of this plan. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 2.8 Plan Priorities The following tables identify the recommended administrative and capital improvement projects the city should address, pending the next revision and update of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Administrative Actions 1. Review the staffing and budgeting process for the parks department in order to mitigate ongoing maintenance concerns, upgrade and maintain installed amenities and establish goals to monitor and achieve city standards. 2. Develop cost recovery standards and models for parks and recreation programs. 3. Develop plans to identify and pursue multiple funding sources for parks and recreation. 4. Formally adopt standards for park facilities and installed amenities. 5. Develop specific plans for the development of existing park locations that are currently undeveloped. 6. Develop plans for additional sport practice fields to accommodate youth programs and reduce impact on tournament quality fields. 7. Develop specific plans to provide better connection between existing trails and pathways, and to link city parks, facilities, schools and greenbelts wherever practical. 8. Develop plans or recommendations for the addition of outdoor volleyball courts to parks where practical. 9. Develop a stronger partnership with SCUCISD for expanded joint-use of playgrounds, practice facilities and indoor gymnasiums during non-school hours and on weekends. 10. Provide recommendations for the identification and design of potential park lands in southern Schertz to facilitate future growth in that area and ensure adequate service coverage. 11. Review, update and expand existing partnership agreements to increase and enhance services, reduce gaps in service areas, and clarify funding and maintenance responsibilities. 12. Identify possible locations better suited to accommodate festivals and events as city growth exceeds the capacity of current locations. 13. Develop a program for the installation of art in public places, parks and along trails. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 2.9 Specific cost estimates for these recommendations were not developed or explored by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. It is recommended that the City develop cost estimates for the capital improvement actions presented in this plan in order to adequately address parks and recreation requirements in the city budget, capitalize on funding opportunities as they present themselves, and aid in developing priorities for future parks and recreation facilities. Priority Capital Improvement Actions 1. Build & Connect Trails to support connectivity throughout the city. 2. Construct soccer practice locations. 3. Construct baseball practice locations. 4. Construct new and renovate existing outdoor basketball courts. 5. Construct outdoor volleyball courts. 6. Obtain additional dedicated open space. 7. Build Phase II and Phase III of the Schertz Skate Park. 8. Construct an additional Splash Pad. 9. Construct a Disc Golf Course in the city. 10. Improve fishing access at Cibolo Creek & Crescent Bend Nature Park. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 2.10 This page intentionally left blank City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.1 Diversity Accommodation Conservation Opportunity Connectivity Chapter Contents: - Schertz History - Current Demographics Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! City of Schertz Chapter 3 History and Demographics City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.2 Schertz History Schertz, Texas is located approximately 15 miles northeast of San Antonio and sits within three counties: Bexar, Guadalupe and Comal. Prior to settler arrival in 1843, Karankawa, Lipan Apache and Comanche Indians inhabited the area. Schertz was originally known as “Cibolo Pit,” and later as “Cut Off,” due to the fact that when Cibolo Creek flooded, the settlement was practically cut off from its surroundings. In 1875, when the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio railroad was built through the area, the Schertz family donated land for the construction of the railroad depot. The town was soon officially known as Schertz. The first settlers of the area planted wheat, corn and oats. Cotton, however, proved most successful. With the arrival of the railroad and with it the ability to export goods, Schertz transformed from a small German settlement to a lively trading post. In 1890, the town had a cotton gin, a grocery and an estimated 200 residents. By 1914, it included a church, bank and hotel. Randolph Air Force Base built on 2,000 acres in the late 1920’s. This gave a big boost to Schertz’s economy, as well as to surrounding areas such as Selma, New Braunfels, Seguin, and San Antonio. Interstate 35, also known as the Pan Am Freeway, was constructed in the 1960’s. The city’s downtown area was shaped in the 1870’s when the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio railroad was built. Main Street and the downtown area developed around the bustling railroad that transported goods and passengers to and from San Antonio and the surrounding area City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.3 The population remained at about 350 from the early 1930’s to the late 1950’s. Then, with the construction of nearby Interstate Highway 35 and the outward expansion of San Antonio, the population began to grow much faster. In 1958, the year of its incorporation, Schertz reported 2,281 residents and 24 businesses. In 1988, it had 7,576 residents and 86 businesses. In 1990, the population of Schertz was 10,555, and the city had expanded into Comal County. As of 2010, the population had reached 31,560. In 2009, Schertz was voted as ”One of the Best Places to Live” by CNN Money, coming in at No. 39 based on the city’s affordability, job growth, good schools and small-town charm. As Schertz continues to grow, it is an opportune time to revitalize the city’s historic center to further enhance Schertz’s quality of life, build tax revenue, and promote community pride and identity. City of Schertz community members’ direction and feedback are represented in this report. It is a summary of the public’s expressed vision for Main Street and the downtown area. It also illustrates the application of their vision into a conceptual plan and associated plans and graphics. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.4 Demographics used to develop this plan The City of Schertz encompasses 28.32 square miles with an estimated population of 31,560 residents. The City of Schertz is located northeast of San Antonio between IH-10 and IH-35. Table 3.1 and Figure 3.1 show the population growth of Schertz over the past 50 years. Table 3.2 provides an overall snapshot of the Schertz demographics compared to our local counties. Year Population 1960 2,281 1970 4,061 1980 7,262 1990 10,597 2000 18,694 2010 31,560 Table 3.2 - Schertz Population Growth (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census) Figure 3.1 - Schertz Population Growth (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.5 People QuickFacts Schertz Bexar County Comal County Guadalupe County Texas Population, 2011 estimate 32,478 1,756,153 111,963 135,757 25,631,778 Population, 2010 (April 1) estimates base 31,469 1,714,777 108,472 131,533 25,145,561 Population, percent change, Apr 1, 2010 to Jul 1, 2011 3.2% NA 3.2% 3.2% 1.9% Population, 2010 31,465 1,714,773 108,472 131,533 25,145,561 Persons under 5 years, percent, 2010 6.3% 7.5% 5.6% 6.8% 7.7% Persons under 18 years, percent, 2010 27.1% 26.9% 23.2% 27.2% 27.3% Persons 65 years and over, percent, 2010 11.5% 10.4% 16.1% 11.8% 10.3% Female persons, percent, 2010 51.7% 50.9% 50.9% 50.8% 50.4% White persons, percent, 2010 (a) 78.8% 85.9% 94.6% 88.0% 70.4% Black persons, percent, 2010 (a) 8.6% 8.0% 2.1% 7.2% 11.8% American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent, 2010 (a) 0.7% 1.3% 0.8% 1.0% 0.7% Asian persons, percent, 2010 (a) 2.3% 2.6% 0.9% 1.6% 3.8% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, percent, 2010 (a) 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% 0.1% Persons reporting two or more races, percent, 2010 3.9% 2.0% 1.5% 2.1% 2.7% Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2010 (b) 25.7% 58.9% 25.6% 36.0% 37.6% White persons not Hispanic, percent, 2010 60.5% 30.2% 70.3% 54.1% 45.3% Living in same house 1 year & over, percent, 2007- 2011 87.5% 80.4% 82.9% 86.5% 82.1% Foreign born persons, percent, 2007-2011 6.5% 12.8% 6.2% 6.8% 16.2% Language other than English spoken at home, percent age 5+, 2007-2011 16.3% 42.8% 17.3% 24.0% 34.4% High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2007-2011 93.1% 81.7% 88.9% 85.4% 80.4% Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2007-2011 31.6% 25.6% 32.6% 24.1% 26.1% Veterans, 2007-2011 5,006 153,044 12,507 15,306 1,618,413 Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2007-2011 24.9 24.2 28.9 25.2 24.8 Housing units, 2010 12,047 672,307 47,901 51,815 9,977,436 Homeownership rate, 2007-2011 78.2% 61.6% 75.6% 78.3% 64.5% Housing units in multi-unit structures, percent, 2007- 2011 9.5% 26.9% 11.7% 7.0% 24.0% Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2007- 2011 $161,000 $121,200 $196,300 $150,700 $126,400 Households, 2007-2011 10,916 590,364 40,119 44,554 8,667,807 Persons per household, 2007-2011 2.73 2.79 2.61 2.82 2.79 Per capita money income in the past 12 months (2011 dollars), 2007-2011 $30,650 $23,866 $33,181 $25,627 $25,548 Median household income, 2007-2011 $71,842 $48,083 $65,521 $61,608 $50,920 Persons below poverty level, percent, 2007-2011 5.4% 17.1% 9.5% 9.7% 17.0% Land area in square miles, 2010 28.41 1,239.82 559.48 711.3 261,231.71 Persons per square mile, 2010 1,107.5 1,383.1 193.9 184.9 96.3 Table 3.2 - Schertz Demographic Snapshot versus Surrounding Counties & Texas Source: US Census Bureau State & County QuickFacts (a) Includes persons reporting only one race. (b) Hispanics may be of any race, so also are included in applicable race categories. NA: Not available City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.6 The Economy of Schertz Schertz Residents’ Employment by Industry Twenty two percent of Schertz residents work in Educational Services and Healthcare, followed with 15% working in Public Administration and 13% working in the Retail Trade industry. Industry (Civilian employed population 16 years and over) % of Population Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining 1.2% Information 1.5% Wholesale trade 3.2% Construction 4.2% Other services, except public administration 4.5% Transportation and warehousing, and utilities 4.6% Manufacturing 5.9% Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services 6.0% Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing 8.4% Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services 10.3% Retail trade 13.0% Public administration 15.2% Educational services, and health care and social assistance 22.0% Table 3.3 - Employment by Industry (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey) Figure 3.3 - Employment by Industry (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.7 Schertz Residents’ Employment by Occupation Almost half of the residents of Schertz (44%) have an occupation that is regarded as some type of management, business or financial occupation. This is followed with 28% of the population working in a sales or office occupation. Approximately 16% of Schertz residents are employed in the service industry. Table 3.45 shows additional employment by occupation. Occupation (Civilian employed population 16 years and over) % of Population Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations 5.4% Production, transportation, and material moving occupations 6.7% Service occupations 16.2% Sales and office occupations 27.6% Management, business, science, and arts occupations 44.1% Table 3.4. - Employment by Occupation (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey Figure 3.4. - Employment by Occupation (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.8 Schertz Residents’ Employment by Occupation Class The majority of Schertz workers (70%) are employed by the private sector and an additional 4% are self-employed. The City of Schertz borders Randolph AFB, which has a significant impact on employment for the community. Nearly 26% of the city’s residents are government workers. Table 3.5 shows employment by class. Class of Worker (Civilian employed population 16 years and over) % of Population Private wage and salary workers 70.3% Government workers 25.4% Self-employed in own not incorporated business workers 4.3% Table 3.5. - Employment by Occupation (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey Figure 3.5 - Employment by Occupation (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.9 Schertz Residents’ Employment Status More than 64% of Schertz workers are employed in the civilian labor force and approximately 3% are in the Armed Forces. Approximately 33% are not in the active labor force. Table 3.6 shows the Schertz Employment by Status. Employment Status (Population 16 years and over) % of Population Armed Forces 3.0% Civilian labor force 64.2% Not in labor force 32.8% Table 3.6. - Employment Status (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey Figure 3.6 - Employment Status (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.10 Major Employers. Table 3.7 shows the top 10 Employers in Schertz. Top 10 Employers Number of Employees SCUCISD 944 Sysco Central Texas 582 Vision Works 542 Wal-Mart 385 HEB 346 City of Schertz 344 Brandt Engineering 300 Republic Beverage 250 Valero Diamond Distribution 170 FedEx Freight 141 Table 3.7. –Top 10 Employers (Source: City of Schertz Economic Development Corporation) Figure 3.7. –Top 10 Employers (Source: City of Schertz Economic Development Corporation) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.11 Transportation Major Roadways Major highways are IH-35 and IH-10 Minor highways are FM 78, FM 3009, FM 1604, and FM 1518 San Antonio International Airport – San Antonio Texas Two terminals with a total of 35 gates Over 13 domestic and international airlines provide regular commercial service Over 30 non-stop domestic and international destinations Over 8 million passengers per year Austin – Bergstrom International Airport - Austin, Texas One terminal with a total of 25 gates Over 9 million passengers per year Served by 11 commercial airlines and their regional partners Over 150 daily departures to 41 destinations in the U.S. and Mexico City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.12 Schertz Home Values The median home value in Schertz is $161,000. Table 3.8 shows a breakout of home values in Schertz. Home Value (owner-occupied units) Units % of Units Less than $50,000 517 6.1% $50,000 to $99,999 945 11.1% $100,000 to $149,999 1,950 22.8% $150,000 to $199,999 3,055 35.8% $200,000 to $299,999 1,742 20.4% $300,000 to $499,999 317 3.7% $500,000 to $999,999 8 0.1% $1,000,000 or more 7 0.1% Owner-occupied units 8,541 Median Value (dollars) $161,000 Table 3.8. –Schertz Home Values (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey) Figure 3.8. –Schertz Home Values (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.13 Census Tract Population Breakout Population Growth & Demographics Schertz’s growth over the past decades has been tremendous. Table 3.9 shows that Schertz’s growth has been high above the county, state and national average in the past 30 years, and population growth has not slowed at this point. Schertz is projected to reach a population of approximately 70,000 residents by the year 2040. Schertz Texas United States Year Pop % Growth Pop % Growth Pop % Growth 1980 7,262 - 14,229,191 - 226,545,805 - 1990 10,597 45.90% 16,986,510 19.4% 248,709,873 9.8% 2000 18,694 76.40% 20,851,820 22.8% 281,421,906 13.2% 2010 31,560 68.80% Table 3.9 - Schertz Population growth versus the Local Area, Texas and U.S. Year Build Out Projection Current 31,560 2020 44,505 2030 57,330 2040 70,155 Table 3.10 - Schertz Population Projection City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.14 Demographic Characteristics Key demographic characteristics include age, educational attainment and income. Age - Table 3.11 illustrates the age characteristics of Schertz. The population of Schertz is younger than the state of Texas as a whole. Schertz has a large portion of its population in the age categories of 0-19 and 25-44. The median age of Schertz’s population is 31.3 years old. Age Distribution Population Male % Male Female % Female Under 18 8,537 4,430 52.0% 4,107 48.0% 18 to 24 2,352 1,197 51.0% 1,155 49.0% 25 to 44 8,509 3,964 47.0% 4,545 53.0% 45 to 64 8,454 4,056 48.0% 4,398 52.0% 65 and over 3,613 1,558 43.0% 2,055 57.0% Table 3.11. – Schertz Age Distribution (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census) Figure 3.9. – Schertz Age Distribution (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.15 Education - As shown in Table 3.12, over half (51.4%) of the population has some sort of college degree, whether an Associate’s degree or higher. Educational Attainment Population % of Population Less than 9th grade 572 2.9% 9th to 12th grade, no diploma 781 4.0% High school graduate 4,752 24.1% Some college, no degree 5,197 26.3% Associate's degree 2,203 11.2% Bachelor's degree 3,739 18.9% Graduate or professional degree 2,501 12.7% Population 25 years and over 19,745 Table 3.12. – Schertz Education Levels (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey) Figure 3.10. – Schertz Education Levels (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.16 School Enrollment - Table 3.13 shows the school enrollment for Schertz Residents from Preschool through college. School Enrollment Population % of Population Preschool 279 3.3% Kindergarten 465 5.5% Elementary 1 - 8 3,830 45.5% High school 9 - 12 1,785 21.2% College or Grad School 2,060 24.5% Table 3.13. – Schertz Enrollment (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey) Figure 3.11. – Schertz Enrollment (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.17 Income Level - The income level of the residents of Schertz is high with over 70% of residents earning more than $50,000. More than 30% of the residents earn over $100,000, an unusually high figure, given the young population of Schertz. The median income level for Schertz is $71,842.00. Table 3.14 shows the income levels for Schertz Residents. Income and Benefits Households % of Households Less than $10,000 235 2.2% $10,000 to $14,999 405 3.7% $15,000 to $24,999 635 5.8% $25,000 to $34,999 710 6.5% $35,000 to $49,999 1,328 12.2% $50,000 to $74,999 2,426 22.2% $75,000 to $99,999 1,894 17.4% $100,000 to $149,999 2,238 20.5% $150,000 to $199,999 591 5.4% $200,000 or more 454 4.2% Total households 10,916 Median household income (dollars) $71,842 Mean household income (dollars) $82,968 Per capita income in the past 12 months (in 2011 inflation- adjusted dollars) $30,650 Table 3.14. – Schertz Income (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey) Figure 3.12. – Schertz Income (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.18 Home Value and Per Capita Income - These values are used to show the typical home values in Schertz, as well as the median household income for residents. These values demonstrate that Schertz is a competitive and viable city for people to reside in when compared to the central Texas. Figure 3.13. – Schertz Income (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.19 Key Demographic Characteristic Findings Based on the demographic information, the City of Schertz’s population is largely young families. The meaning of this information in terms of parks and recreation is that the city should focus on ensuring facilities are located close enough to residential areas to foster an active lifestyle and continue to offer and expand family events such as Movies in the Park, Schertz Jubilee, SchertzFest and The Festival of Angels. Youth athletic programs are available; however, as the children of Schertz grow older, increased focus on a strong teen program will be needed in future years. The Parks and Recreation Department should consider offering adult instructional classes or fitness classes at the same time as child or youth programs so that parents can enjoy activities while waiting on their child. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 3.20 This page intentionally left blank City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.1 Chapter Contents: - Purpose of Parks & Open Space Inventory & Parks Components - Park Classifications - Current Inventory - Current Partnerships - Operating & Maintenance Standards - Deferred Maintenance Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! City of Schertz Chapter 4 Current Inventory City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.2 City of Schertz Page 4.2 Purpose of the Existing Parks and Open Space Inventory Schertz has an established network of both neighborhood and larger community park facilities. These parks are well placed within the neighborhoods that they serve and are well maintained. However, population shifts within the city over time have resulted in some areas having a significant number of parks, while other newer areas have few or no parks. A key part of the park and recreation planning process is to understand what parks, recreation buildings, trails and open space facilities are currently available. The process also evaluates the current condition of those facilities so as to assess whether or not they are addressing the current park and recreation needs of the city. This inventory serves as the foundation for the needs assessment for new or improved recreational facilities. Components of the Existing Parks Inventory This inventory of existing parks reviews several aspects of each park in the Schertz system. These include: Classification: What is the purpose of a given park? Is it intended to serve a local neighborhood around it, giving children and young adults a place to play? Is it intended to serve a much larger population, providing fields for organized league play? This determines whether a park should be classified as a neighborhood park, a community park, a special purpose park, or a linkage park. Location: Where is the park located in relation to the population that it serves? Is it accessible? Service Area: What are the limits of the area served by each park? Are there any major thoroughfares or physical features that create barriers to accessing the park? Size of the Park: How big is the park? Is it large enough to adequately accomplish its intended purpose? Facilities in each Park: What does the park contain? Are the facilities appropriate for the type of park? Layout: Is the arrangement of facilities in each park appropriate? Condition of the Park: What is the general condition of the facilities in each park? Special Considerations: Does the park provide facilities for people with disabilities that meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act? City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.3 City of Schertz Page 4.3 Park Classification (From the Comprehensive Land Use Plan) Standards provide a measure for determining the amount of parks, recreation and open space needed to meet the current and projected future demands. Parks and recreation standards are usually expressed in terms of acres of land dedicated for parks, recreation and open space per unit of population. While general standards are useful, it is important to establish standards that are based on unique local considerations such as participation trends, user characteristics, demographics, climate and natural environment. Values related to recreation are unique to each municipality, so the standards should represent the interests of local park users. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) published the Recreation, Park and Open Space Standards and Guidelines to establish nationally applicable criteria for the provision of parks, recreation facilities and open space. These standards serve as a general guide for parks and recreation planning in Schertz. Classification System A variety of sizes and types of parks and recreation facilities and activities are recommended to satisfy diverse individual interests, ensure adequate and equal opportunity, and ultimately encourage use by all of Schertz’s population groups. As noted, the system of mini/pocket, neighborhood, community, linear and special use parks are outlined along with the description of desirable size and service population. For each park type a general description is given along development guidelines regarding size, service area, location and access, use hours, parking, typical development, optional facilities, facility setbacks, park lighting, and development codes. Notable is the inclusion of guidelines addressing location and access, facility setbacks and development costs. The most important factors, however, are location and access, which play a key role in park visibility and the quality of the park environment. The quality of a park environment is strongly influenced by adjacent land uses and the type of adjoining streets. A neighborhood park, for example, should ideally be surrounded by residential uses on quiet residential streets. However, larger community parks, especially those with lighted athletic fields, are best located adjacent to a major thoroughfare and away from homes. The classification system provides guidance in this regard for each park type. For the purpose of this plan, the following parks classifications, outlined in the City Development Plan will be used and typical characteristics of each are listed in Tables 4.1 through 4.6. Pocket Park Neighborhood Park Community Park Regional Park Linear / Greenways Special Purpose City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.4 City of Schertz Page 4.4 Mini/Pocket Parks Classification Mini/Pocket Parks Size Less than one acre. Service Area Usually less than 1/2 mile. Location and Access Centrally located within a neighborhood and/or easily accessed by residents. Frontage required on one street but preferred on two (collector or local streets). Minimum street frontage of 100 feet. Prefer adjacent residences to face or side park site instead of backing. Use Hours Daytime to early evening through sunset. Parking None required or desired. Typical Facilities Picnic tables (two-three minimum), small playground, support facilities (benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, drinking fountains, signage, etc.), and tree plantings. Optional Facilities Gazebos or similar shade structures, special horticultural plantings or gardens (maintained by residents), public works of art, monuments/statues, and decorative fountains Minimum Setbacks Playground: 15’ from street right-of-way, Multi-use court: 15’ from street right-of- way, 25’ from single family residential property lines Park Lighting Security and safety only. Development Costs Can range from $50,000 to $200,000 depending on the type and scale of development. Table 4.1 - Mini/Pocket Parks City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.5 City of Schertz Page 4.5 Neighborhood Parks Classification Neighborhood Parks Size One to ten acres, five acres is optimum. Service Area 1/2 mile desirable to one-mile maximum radius, preferably uninterrupted by major thoroughfares and other physical barriers. Location and Access Centrally located within a neighborhood and/or easily accessed by residents. Frontage required on at least two collector and/or local streets; major thoroughfare frontage is undesirable. Minimum street frontage of 500 feet. Prefer adjacent residences to face park site instead of backing. Access to adequate water, sewer and electric service. Use Hours Daytime to early evening through sunset. Parking Street or curbside parking. On-site parking should be provided only as required by ordinance or where adjoining streets are not curbed or guttered to encourage pedestrian access. Typical Facilities Playground, passive recreational open space, sports field(s) for practice or non-league play (unlighted), trails (1/4 mile increments preferred), picnic tables (five-six maximum), support facilities (benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, drinking fountains, signage, etc.), and tree plantings. Optional Facilities Picnic shelters, basketball/multi-use court, tennis courts (one-two), special horticultural plantings or gardens (principally maintained by neighborhood residents), and swimming pool (if the nearest public pool is more than two miles away). Minimum Setbacks On-site parking: 10’ from street right-of-way, 25’ from single-family residential properties. Playground: 25’ from street right-of-way 25’ from property line. Multi-use court or swimming pool: 25’ from street right-of-way, 50’ from single-family residential property lines. Park Lighting Generally intended for security and safety only. Very limited facility lighting, preferably lighted tennis courts with no glare to adjoining residential uses. Development Costs Can range from $100,000 to $300,000 depending on existing site conditions and type and scale of development. Table 4.2 - Neighborhood Parks City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.6 City of Schertz Page 4.6 Community Parks Classification Community Parks Size 5 to 50 acres (10 acre minimum preferable) Service Area One mile – two miles. Location and Access Adjacent to, or in close proximity to, predominantly single family and multi-family residential areas. Frontage required on collector streets (not local neighborhood streets). Direct access to a major thoroughfare is desirable or within ¼ mile. Park access by public transit or designated bikeway is desirable. Minimum street frontage of 700 feet. Access to adequate water, sewer and electric service. Use Hours Daytime and evening use. Parking Parking – As required by ordinance for traditional facilities. Parking lots located off-street; vehicular traffic prohibited within the park. Gates at the parking lot entrance are optional. Typical Facilities Medium to large playground, passive recreational open space, sports fields (lighted) for practice and league play, basketball/multi-use court, trails (1/4 mile increments with distance signage), picnic area with up to 15 tables, group picnic facility (open-air pavilion with four-five tables on concrete slab and large grill), support facilities (benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, drinking fountains, access walks, signage, etc.), and landscaping. Optional Facilities Recreation center with gym, multi-use meeting and activity spaces, offices, restrooms, kitchen and optional weight/exercise room; tennis courts (two-four lighted); multi-use pavilion (i.e. basketball, lighted); swimming pool with bathhouse; and visually screened portable toilets. Minimum Setbacks On-site parking: 10’ from street right-of-way, 50’ from single family residential property lines. Playground: 25’ from street right-of-way and other property lines. Multi-use pavilion: 25’ from street right-of-way, 100’’ from any residential property. Recreation center and swimming pool: 25’ from street right-of-way, 50’ from single-family residential properties. Tennis courts: 25’ from street right-of-way, 10’ from other property lines. Park Lighting Facility lighting at ball fields, pavilions, courts, and associated parking. Security lighting at playgrounds, trails and exterior perimeters of park structures. Avoid glare to adjoining residential uses. Development Costs Can range from $200,000 to several million dollars depending on existing conditions and the type and scale of many, but not all, of the typical facilities listed above development. Community parks will likely include Table 4.3 – Community Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.7 City of Schertz Page 4.7 Regional Parks Classification Regional Parks Size 50-200 acres. Service Area Up to 50 miles Location and Access Some residential development may be within a short walking distance of the site, but high use activity areas should be segregated from adjacent residential areas. Frontage required on major thoroughfares and collector streets. Park access by public transit or designated bikeway desirable. Minimum street frontage of 1,500 feet. Multiple access points to water, sewer, and electric service preferred. Use Hours Daytime through late evening use; some facilities open 24 hours. Parking One or more parking lots (i.e. 100-300 cars each) possibly serviced by internal roads. Gates located at parking lot entrances. Typical Facilities Large playground, passive recreational open spaces and reserves, sports complexes (lighted) with three or more fields per sport and concession building, basketball / multiuse courts, trails (1/2 mile increments with distance signage), one or more picnic areas, one or more picnic pavilions of varying size, support facilities (benches, bike racks trash receptacles, drinking fountains, access walks, signage, etc.), landscaping. Optional Facilities Optional Facilities - 18-hole golf course and clubhouse, tennis courts (two-eight, lighted), tennis center, swimming pool with bathhouse, screened portable toilets, / restrooms, multi-use pavilion (i.e. basketball, lighted), natatorium (indoor pool), nature trails or nature areas, multi-purpose center for recreational use and other City services (health, library, etc.), senior citizens center, fishing access sites (i.e. decks, piers). Minimum Setbacks Minimum Setbacks – equal to or greater than those specified for community parks. On- site parking: 10’ from street right-of-way, 50’ from residential property lines. Playground: 25’ from street right-of-way and other property lines. Multi-use pavilion: 25’ from street right-of-way, 100’ from any residential property. Recreation center: 25’ from street right- of-way, 50’ from single-family residential properties. Swimming pool: 25’ from street right-of-way, 50’ from single-family residential property lines. Tennis courts: 25’ from street right-of-way, 10’ from other property lines. Park Lighting Facility and security lighting similar to a community park. Park drives and major entrance drives. Trail lighting – optional Development Costs Can range from one million to several million dollars depending on existing conditions and the type and scale of development. A regional park may include a wide variety, but not all of the facilities listed above. Table 4.4 – Regional Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.8 City of Schertz Page 4.8 Linear Parks and Greenways Classification Linear Parks and Greenways Size A minimum width of 25 feet; length is variable Service Area City quadrant to citywide and beyond. Location and Access Determined by resource availability, linkage need, and opportunities for public access utilizing the resource. The design of new subdivisions for adjacent private land should be encouraged to facilitate visibility, access, and safety. Use Hours Daytime and early evening use, trails may be open 24 hours. Parking On-street parking preferred at the trail head, except along major thoroughfares. Parking lots for trail users should be small and infrequent (one or more mile spacing). Typical Facilities Pedestrian trails and/or bike paths, support facilities (benches, bike racks, receptacles, fountains, signage, etc.), and landscaping. Optional Facilities Small picnic area(s), small playground, screened portable toilets, exercise stations, emergency telephones, and public works of art, statues, monuments, etc. Minimum Setbacks Trails paralleling major thoroughfares should generally be setback at least 10’ from the edge of the street curb. Park Lighting Security night lighting at picnic areas, playgrounds and trails. Where adjacent to streets, make dual use of street light poles to supplement park lighting. Development Costs Development Costs – Bike paths and usual support facilities average $50-70 per linear foot. Table 4.5 – Greenway / Linear Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.9 City of Schertz Page 4.9 Special Purpose Areas of a specified activity, such as golf courses, zoos, conservatories, bird sanctuary, nature reserves, theme parks, equestrian activities, and other special uses. Classification Special Purpose Size Variable Service Area Variable Location and Access Specific to the intended use. Street Frontage Specific to the intended use. Use Hours Variable Parking Specific to the intended use. Typical Facilities Specific to the intended use. Optional Facilities Specific to the intended use. Minimum Setbacks Specific to the intended use. Park Lighting Specific to the intended use. Development Costs Variable Table 4.6 – Special Purpose Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.10 City of Schertz Page 4.10 Current Inventory of the Parks and Recreation System Schertz is currently served by a system of parks and recreational facilities, available from multiple sources, which provide opportunity for a range of activities for both residents and visitors. The Schertz Park and Recreation System includes 39 Parks covering 415.10 acres. These locations are a combination of city-owned and private Home Owner Association (HOA) owned parks. School district (SCUCISD) owned facilities are referenced in this report, but are not counted in the calculations of park space, since most facilities are not available to the general public. City-owned park sites include 21 locations and a total of 373.76 acres. HOA parks include 18 locations and a total of 41.34 acres. Table 4.7 summarizes the overall existing park facilities in the system. City Owned Parks HOA Parks Totals Total Number 21 18 39 Developed Acreage 340.42 29.45 369.87 Undeveloped Park Acreage 33.34 11.89 45.23 Total Park Acreage 373.76 41.34 415.10 Pocket Parks 1 2 3 Neighborhood Parks 11 16 27 Community Parks 4 0 4 Linear Parks 1 0 1 Regional Parks 1 0 1 Special Purpose Parks 3 0 3 Largest Park 175 7.96 Smallest Park .11 .23 Developed Parks vs. Total Parks 13/21 16/18 29/39 Table 4.7 – Overall Parks & Recreation System Property Inventory These following sections provide additional details on all park and recreation locations in the City of Schertz. Included are in-depth details on all city-owned properties that may be related to Parks and Recreation activities. Information is provided in the following categories: City-Owned Developed Parks Designated for Parks Utilization, but undeveloped City-Owned Facilities Related to Recreation (full or part time) Trails and Connecting Paths City-Owned Properties - Undeveloped & Undesignated Parkland-Platted Open Space Lands Home Owner Association (HOA) Parks Schertz Cibolo Universal City Independent School District (SCUCISD) Facilities Commercial Golf Courses Recreational programs inventory Recreation Partnerships City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City Owned Developed Parks Developed Parks Address Type Pl a y E q u i p m e n t Pa v i l i o n s / G a z e b o s Gr i l l s Pi c n i c T a b l e s Be n c h e s Wa t e r F o u n t a i n s Tr a s h R e c e p t a c l e s Re s t r o o m s Po o l s Ba s k e t b a l l C o u r t s Ba l l Fi e l d s So c c e r F i e l d s Te n n i s C o u r t s Tr a i l / P a t h s ( l e n g t h i n m i l e s ) Ac r e a g e Ashley Park 534 Ashley Park Neighborhood 3 1 6 2 1 5 2 1 0.25 14.08 Crescent Bend Nature Park 12805 Schaefer Road Regional 5 3 8 2 1.30 175.00 Cut-Off Park FM 1518 along Cibolo Creek Linear 6.25 47.28 Forest Ridge Park 17529 Wiederstein Road Neighborhood 0.50 14.60 Gutierrez Park 1231 Borgfeld Neighborhood 1 2 2.12 Lone Oak Park Cloverleaf Drive Pocket 1 1 2 1 1 0.34 Pickrell Park Intersection of Oak and Aero (east) Community 7 4 8 40 3 3 48 10 2 2 16.92 Schertz Ballpark 1400 Schertz Parkway Community 2 10 2 7 6.90 Schertz Community Playscape Elbel and Westchester Neighborhood 2 1 2 0.40 Schertz Soccer Complex Maske Rd Community 12 42.00 Thulemeyer Park Intersection of Oak and Aero (west) Community 4 5 16.18 Wendy Swan Memorial Park 4601 Cherry Tree Neighborhood 4 1 4 1 1 6 1 1 0.17 2.78 Woodland Oaks Park 905 Woodland Oaks Drive Neighborhood 3 1 4 4 2 1.82 Totals 19 7 10 60 8 16 86 16 3 6 12 12 0 8.47 340.42 Table 4.8 – City-Owned Developed Parks City of Schertz Page 4.11 City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.12 City of Schertz Page 4.12 Ashley Park Location 534 Ashley Park Current Park Classification Community Recommended Classification Neighborhood Recreational Facilities Asphalt Trail (.25 mile loop) Basketball Courts Benc hes Grills Open Space Picnic Tables Playgrounds Soccer Field Restrooms Table 4.9 – Ashley Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.13 City of Schertz Page 4.13 Crescent Bend Nature Park Location 12805 Schaefer Road Current Park Classification Specialty Recommend Park Classification Regional Recreational Facilities Trail Fishing Grills Open Space Picnic Tables Restrooms Table 4.10 – Crescent Bend Nature Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.14 City of Schertz Page 4.14 Cut-Off Park (Including Cut-Off Extension) Location Along FM 1518 / Cibolo Creek Current Park Classification Community Recommended Park Classification Linear Recreational Facilities Asphalt Trail Open Space Table 4.11 – Cut-Off Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.15 City of Schertz Page 4.15 Forest Ridge Park Location Along Wiederstein Road Current Park Classification Neighborhood Recommended Park Classification Neighborhood Recreational Facilities Decomposed Granite Trail Table 4.12 – Forest Ridge Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.16 City of Schertz Page 4.16 Gutierrez Xeriscape Park Location 1231 Borgfeld Current Park Classification Special Use Recommended Park Classification Neighborhood Recreational Facilities Benc hes Concrete Trail Compost Bin Education Area Pavilion Table 4.13 – Gutierrez Xeriscape Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.17 City of Schertz Page 4.17 Lone Oak Park Location Cloverleaf Drive Current Park Classification Ornamental Recommended Park Classification Pocket Recreational Facilities Benc hes Picnic Table Grill Concrete Paths Open Space Table 4.14 – Lone Oak Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.18 City of Schertz Page 4.18 Pickrell Park Location Intersection of Oak & Aero (E) Current Park Classification Community Recommended Park Classification Community Recreational Facilities Pools Basketball Courts Benc hes Grills Open Space Picnic Tables Playgrounds Pavilions Restrooms Water Fountains Table 4.15 – Pickrell Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.19 City of Schertz Page 4.19 Schertz Ballpark Location 1400 Sc hertz Parkway Current Park Classification Community Recommended Park Classification Community Recreational Facilities 7 Baseball Fields Concessions Building Restrooms Table 4.16 – Schertz Ballpark City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.20 City of Schertz Page 4.20 Schertz Community Playscape Location Along Elbel Road Current Park Classification Special Use Recommended Park Classification Neighborhood Recreational Facilities Benc hes Playground Table 4.17 – Schertz Community Playscape City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.21 City of Schertz Page 4.21 Schertz Soccer Complex Location Maske Road Current Park Classification Community Recommended Park Classification Community Recreational Facilities 12 Soccer Fields Concessions Building Restrooms Table 4.18 – Schertz Soccer Complex City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.22 City of Schertz Page 4.22 Thulemeyer Park Location Intersection Of Oak & Aero (West) Current Park Classification Community Recommended Park Classification Community Recreational Facilities Baseball Fields Restrooms Concession Building Table 4.19 – Thulemeyer Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.23 City of Schertz Page 4.23 Wendy Swan Memorial Park (Former Northcliffe Park) Location 4601 Cherry Tree Drive Current Park Classification Neighborhood Recommended Park Classification Neighborhood Recreational Facilities Pool Open Space Picnic Tables Playground Water Fountains Table 4.20 – Wendy Swan Memorial Park (Former Northcliffe Park) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.24 City of Schertz Page 4.24 Woodland Oaks Park Location 905 Woodland Oaks Drive Current Park Classification Neighborhood Recommended Park Classification Neighborhood Recreational Facilities Basketball Court (2 Half Courts) Pavilion Picnic Tables Playground Table 4.21 – Woodland Oaks Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.25 City of Schertz Page 4.25 City-Owned Properties Designated for Parks Utilization, but Undeveloped The City of Schertz owns some areas of land that are designated as parkland but are not currently developed as parks. Park Address Park Classification Acreage Oak Forest Park Lazy Oak Street / FM 3009 Neighborhood 2.30 Berry Creek Park FM 3009 Neighborhood 1.57 Crossvine Park Crossvine Subdivision Neighborhood 13.10 Palm Park FM 78 Neighborhood 2.86 Cypress Point Park Neighborhood 10.50 Schertz Dog Park Community Drive Circle Special Purpose 1.90 Schertz Skate Complex (Phase 1) Community Drive Circle Special Purpose 0.11 Veterans Plaza Schertz Parkway Special Purpose 1.00 Totals 33.34 Table 4.22 – City-Owned Properties, Designated for Parks Utilization, but undeveloped City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.26 City of Schertz Page 4.26 City-Owned Facilities Related to Recreation (Full or Part-Time) Facility Address Schertz Civic Center 1400 Schertz Parkway Schertz Community Center 1400 Schertz Parkway Schertz Library 798 Schertz Parkway Schertz Senior Center 608 Schertz Parkway Schertz Recreation Center (Operated by the YMCA) 621 Westchester Drive North Center 3501 Morning Drive Table 4.23 – City Owned Recreation Facilities City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.27 City of Schertz Page 4.27 Trails and Connecting Paths Schertz has a total of 17.47 miles of trails and .25 miles of running tracks spread throughout the city. The existing trails include both trails within parks as internal walking loops with no external destination or connections, and linear/linkage trails, but does not include marked bike lanes on established roadways. There are several roadways with dedicated bicycle lanes throughout the community. Table 4.24 gives a more detailed looked at the existing trails in Schertz. The existing trails vary in the type of surfacing including asphalt, concrete and decomposed granite. At the time of the 2007 Trails Master Plan, asphalt was the preferred trail surface in the city. As additional trails were planned and developed, the utilization of alternative materials, such as decomposed granite has occurred. Name Sector Type of Construction Be n c h e s Wa t e r F o u n t a i n s Tr a s h R e c e p t a c l e s Le n g t h ( i n m i l e s ) Linear / Linkage Trails Schertz Parkway North Asphalt 1 1 6 6.3 Subtotal Linear Trails 1 1 6 6.3 Park Trails Ashley Park North Asphalt 0.25 Crescent Bend Park South Decomposed Granite/Asphalt 4 Cut-Off Park Central Asphalt 0.25 Cut-Off Park - Cibolo Creek Central Primitive Trail 6 Forest Ridge Park North Decomposed Granite 0.5 Wendy Swan Memorial Park North Concrete 0.17 Subtotal Park Trails 11.17 Tracks Clemens High School Central Rubber 0.25 Corbett Junior High South Rubber 0.25 Subtotal Tracks 0.5 Total Tracks 0.5 Total Trails 17.47 Total of Trails and Tracks in Schertz 17.97 Table 4.24 – Trails, Connecting Paths and Tracks City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.28 City of Schertz Page 4.28 Figure 4.1 – Existing Trail Locations in Schertz Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.29 City of Schertz Page 4.29 City-Owned Properties - Undeveloped & Undesignated The following are City-owned properties that are undeveloped and undesignated for any particular use. These properties potentially could be considered for park designation and utilization if needed. Area Address Type Ac r e a g e Zuehl Property 113 Zuehl Street Open Space 0.39 Hilltop Property (Between Fairhaven and Links @ Scenic Hills) Northcliffe Subdivision Open Space 8.39 Totals 8.78 Table 4.25 – City-Owned Properties - Undeveloped & Undesignated City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.30 Parkland-Platted At the time this document was being developed, several residential communities were being platted throughout the City. Each of these communities has different timelines for plat approval. However, as a point of reference, it is important to recognize where future parks are proposed within the city’s infrastructure. These parks may be either city-owned, HOA-owned, or a combination of both, depending on the platting process. Figure 4.2 – Proposed City Park for “The Parklands” Acreages and locations of parks identified in this category are approximate and subject to change. Area City Park/Open Space Size HOA Park/Open Space Size Rhine Valley 5.00 29.00 The Parklands 5.00 43.00 Kensington Ranch 15.00 Totals 10.00 87.00 Table 4.26 – Platted Parkland Figure 4.3 – Proposed City Park for “Rhine Valley” City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.31 Open Space Lands Numerous parcels of land are recognized by the City as open space, although these lands may never be developed as parks. They are included in the park area assessment but are not officially recognized in the park acreage guidelines. Area Cibolo Creek Dietz Creek Table 4.27 – Open Space Lands City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.32 Home Owner Association (HOA) Parks HOA Owner Address Type Pl a y E q u i p m e n t Pa v i l i o n s / G a z e b o s Gr i l l s Pi c n i c T a b l e s Be n c h e s Wa t e r F o u n t a i n s Tr a s h R e c e p t a c l e s Re s t r o o m s Po o l s Ba s k e t b a l l C o u r t s Ba l l F i e l d s Vo l l e y b a l l Te n n i s C o u r t s Tr a i l / P a t h s (l e n g t h i n m i l e s ) Ac r e a g e Arroyo Verde Park Arroyo Verde HOA North side of Arroyo Verde Neighborhood 3.93 Ashley Place Park Ashley Place Association Inc. At the terminus of Victoria Point Neighborhood 7.96 Belmont Park Belmont Park HOA Granville Peak Neighborhood 1 4 2 1 1.21 Belmont Park Open Space Belmont Park HOA Intersection of Hourless Oaks/Triple Crown Neighborhood 3 9.11 Dove Meadows Park Dove Meadows Community Improvement Association Sandy Ridge Circle Neighborhood 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 2.44 Elm Park Jonas Woods HOA Melville Lane Pocket 1 0.23 Fairhaven Park Pulte Homes of Texas LP Columbia Drive Neighborhood 1 1 0.78 Forest Ridge Park Forest Ridge Owners Association Inc. Forest Ridge Parkway Neighborhood 1 1 2 2 2 1 1.73 Jonas Woods Park Jonas Woods HOA Jonas Woods Drive Neighborhood 1 2 1 1.38 Kramer Farms Park Kramer Farms HOA Corner of Hitch Road/Rooster Run Neighborhood 2 1 1 3 4 3 0.42 Laura Heights Laura Heights HOA Inc. Halie Heights Neighborhood 0.99 Links @ Scenic Hills Park Links @ Scenic Hill HOA 6201 Jimmy Walker Neighborhood 1 2 1 1 1.26 Riata Amenity Center Riata Land Association of Homeowners Inc. Mineral Springs & Fairlawn Ave Neighborhood 1 2 1 0.61 Scenic Hills Lodge Scenic Hills Community Association Scenic Drive & Vista Drive Neighborhood 1 1 1 2 5.24 Turtle Park Jonas Woods HOA Thoreau Trail Neighborhood 1 1 1 1 0.68 Willow Park Jonas Woods HOA Melville Lane Pocket 1 0.30 Windy Meadows Park Yes Companies, LLC Windy Oaks Mobile Home Park, Meadow View Dr. Neighborhood 1 4 1 1 1.37 Woodland Oaks Park Woodland Oaks HOA Woodland Oaks Drive and Lockwood Drive Neighborhood 1 2 3 2 2 1 2 1.70 Totals 11 5 3 23 19 2 11 0 10 1 1 1 4 0 41.34 Table 4.28 – HOA Parks & Facilities City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.33 Schertz Cibolo Universal City Independent School District (SCUCISD) Facilities School playgrounds, sports fields and courts provide additional park and recreation areas. Although they are not owned, operated or maintained by the City of Schertz, these facilities do service the residents of Schertz and should be noted. Furthermore, if these areas were more accessible to the public, the potential use of school playgrounds could increase the number and effective service area of neighborhood parks and recreation opportunities throughout the community. Public access to school facilities is currently limited within the City; however, through a joint partnership with the SCUCISD, some opportunities exist to utilize property owned by the school district. A reciprocal agreement could address joint purchase and the use and maintenance of school grounds and equipment, which may be mutually beneficial to the school district and the City. SCUCISD encompasses all of Schertz as well as Universal City and Cibolo and has a total of 16 campuses, eight of which are located in the City of Schertz, as follows; 4 Elementary Schools 1 Intermediate School 1 Junior High School 1 High School 1 Enhanced Learning Center With a student to teacher ratio of approximately 14.8 to 1, SCUCISD is one of the most award-winning school districts in Texas. 2012 – 2013 School year enrollments are shown in Table 4.29 and a list of campuses and their amenities are reflected in Table 3.30. The inventory of SCUCISD campuses in terms of recreational amenities is limited to the schools located within Schertz’s city limits and its ETJ limits. SCUCISD School Enrollment School 2012 - 2013 Enrollment Schertz Elementary School 856 Norma J. Paschal Elementary School 735 John A. Sippel Elementary School 956 Green Valley Elementary School 735 Laura Ingalls Wilder Intermediate School 642 Ray D. Corbett Junior High School 1135 Samuel Clemens High School 2203 Allison L. Steele Enhanced Learning Center 92 Table 4.29 – SCUCISD School Enrollment City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.34 School Name Address Pl a y s c a p e s Ou t d o o r Ba s k e t b a l l C o u r t s Ba l l F i e l d s Fo o t b a l l F i e l d s So c c e r F i e l d s Ba s e b a l l P r a c t i c e F i e l d Re c t a n g u l a r P r a c t i c e F i e l d s Te n n i s C o u r t s Vo l l e y b a l l C o u r t Be n c h e s Pi c n i c T a b l e s Ca n o p y / P a v i l i o n Schertz Elementary School 701 Curtiss Street 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 2 2 Norma J. Paschal Elementary School 590 Savannah Drive 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 8 2 John A. Sippel Elementary School 420 Fairlawn Avenue 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 4 3 Green Valley Elementary School 1694 Green Valley Road 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 5 Laura Ingalls Wilder Intermediate School 806 Savannah Drive 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 9 2 2 Ray D. Corbett Junior High School 12000 Ray Corbett Drive 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 6 0 0 0 0 Samuel Clemens High School 1001 Elbel Road 0 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Allison L. Steele Enhanced Learning Center 204 Wright Avenue 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 Clarence Shelton Athletic Complex Elbel Road 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 8 0 0 0 0 Totals 16 8 2 3 1 1 3 18 1 39 16 14 Table 4.30 – SCUCISD Parks & Facilities (Highlighted facilities are generally available for public use when school is not in session) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.35 Private Golf Course An existing privately owned golf course is located within the City of Schertz. It is not officially recognized in the park acreage guidelines. Figure 4.4 – Northcliffe Golf Course Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.36 Recreational Programs Inventory. Table 4.31 provides a listing of athletic and recreational programs available in the City of Schertz that are provided by the city, or affiliated providers. The City of Schertz also has several private athletic and recreation opportunities in the community, ranging from Martial Arts studios; Swimming and Art & Crafts opportunities, such as pottery, stained glass, etc. Schertz Recreation Programs Inventory Youth Athletic Programs Baseball (BVYA) Softball (BVYA) Basketball (BVYA) Volleyball (BVYA) Cheerleading (BVYA) Football (BVYA) Wrestling (BVYA) Stingrays Competition Swim Team (BVYA) Schertz Youth Soccer Alliance, Inc. (SYSA) Youth Recreation Programs Kinder Kamp (YMCA) Bump, Set, Spike (YMCA) Twinkle Toes (YMCA) Art Explorers (YMCA) Read, Write It! (YMCA) Sport Mania (YMCA) Goooal! (YMCA) Fantasy Football (YMCA) Just Dance (YMCA) Hoop Dreams (YMCA) Spirit Week: Cheer (YMCA) Spirit Week: Dance Team (YMCA) Girl Scouts – 210-349-2404 Boy Scouts of America – Troop 51 Cub Scouts – Pack 51 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten (Library) Summer & Winter Reading Clubs (Library) Reading Buddies (Library) Story time (Library) Baby & Me (Library) Toddler Story time (Library) Preschool Story time (Library) Evening Story time (Library) Fact Finders (Library) Book Parties (Library) Adult Athletic Programs Men’s Basketball (YMCA) Personal Training (YMCA) Group Exercise Courses (YMCA) Athletic Performance Training (YMCA) San Antonio Soccer Association (SASA) Women’s Soccer Association of San Antonio (WSASA) Adult Recreation Programs Baby & Me (Library) Needle Crafting Group (Library) “The Book Ends” Book Club (Library) Adult Computer Classes (Library) Genealogy Club (Library) 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten (Library) YMoms (YMCA) Senior Programs Local area trips (SASC) Bible Study (SASC) Sewing Class (SASC) Bunco (SASC) Quilting Class (SASC) Various Card Games (SASC) Bingo (SASC) Wellness Classes (SASC) Choir (SASC) Exercise Classes (SASC) Swimming / Aquatic Programs Parent Child Swim Lesson (YMCA) Preschool Swim Lesson (YMCA) Youth Swim Lesson (YMCA) Adult Swim Lessons (YMCA) Special Needs Swim Lesson (YMCA) Stingrays Competition Swim Team (BVYA) City Special Events Schertz Jubilee SchertzFest Festival of Angels Movies in the Park Trunk or Treat EMS Golf Tournament Doggie Dash Hal Baldwin Scholarship Golf Tournament Easter in the Park Sounds & Sips Jazz festival Wilenchik Walk for Life 5K Selma-Schertz Salute to Service Members 5K Table 4.31 – Recreation Program Inventory Key City Special Events Schertz Public Library Schertz Area Senior Center (SASC) Buffalo Valley Youth Association (BVYA) Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Schertz Soccer Alliance (SYSA/SASA/WSASA) Private Organizations City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.37 Recreation Partnerships Buffalo Valley Youth Association (BVYA) The Buffalo Valley Youth Association is the premier youth sport organization servicing Schertz and the surrounding area of northeast San Antonio. As an organization, they are committed to providing the best in recreational sports opportunities for the children in our area. BVYA provides management of the City’s baseball fields. Additional information regarding BY VA is available at: http://bvya.com/ Schertz Youth Soccer Alliance The Schertz Youth Soccer Alliance, Inc. (SYSA Inc.) manages SSC for the City of Schertz. SYSA Inc. is comprised of two local youth soccer organizations: the Lions Futball Club (LFC) and the Greater Randolph Area Youth Soccer Association (GRAYSA). Find more information about SYSA at http://schertzsoccercomplex.org or http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=schertz- soccer Schertz Recreation Center – (YMCA) The recreation center provides a daily opportunity for community wellness and leisure and is a reflection of the health consciousness of Schertz residents. The 30,733 square-foot recreation building is located at 721 Westchester Drive. Recreational facilities include a full-court gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, free play room, dodge ball, and other open space indoor games, a rock climbing wall, outdoor splash pad, and numerous pieces of fitness equipment. The YMCA can be contacted at (210) 619-1900 or visit http://www.ymcasatx.org/Schertz/ City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.38 Operating and Maintenance Standards Development of parks and recreational facilities cannot be properly programmed without considering criteria for their design and maintenance. Improvements made to parkland should be standardized in order to facilitate maintenance and repairs, maximize durability and longevity, and establish a minimum quality level. Through careful design and selection of materials, attractive park facilities can be developed that require minimum staff attention. All park improvements should be in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), local building codes, and all applicable restrictions and requirements. Guidelines for park improvement standards may include roads and parking lots; gates and fences; park buildings (picnic pavilions, restrooms, offices, and maintenance buildings); playground equipment; playground fall surfaces; picnic tables; benches; trash receptacles; grills; bleachers; sports facilities; sidewalks; walking/jogging trails; equestrian trails and mountain biking trails. Maintenance Standards. In order for parks to be perceived as an asset to Schertz, they must be well maintained at all times. The parks system should maintain a high level of quality. It is essential that maintenance budgets be adopted as new park facilities are developed. If sufficient funds are not available, parkland should be held in reserve in its natural state until money can be dedicated for both construction and maintenance of facilities. Park Maintenance Standards, a publication of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), contains a Maintenance Standard Classification System that outlines six general levels of maintenance, including: Mode I — State-of-the-art Maintenance: State-of-the-art maintenance applies to a high quality diverse landscape. Usually associated with high traffic urban areas such as public squares, malls, public building grounds or high visitation parks. Mode II — High Level Maintenance: Maintenance associated with well-developed park areas with reasonably high visitation. Mode III — Moderate Level Maintenance: Maintenance associated with moderate to low levels of development, moderate to low levels of visitation or with agencies that because of budget restrictions cannot afford a higher intensity of maintenance. Mode IV — Moderately Low Level Maintenance: Maintenance usually associated with low level of development, low visitation, undeveloped areas or remote parks. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.39 Mode V — High Visitation Natural Areas: Maintenance usually associated with large urban or regional parks. Size and user frequency may dictate resident maintenance staff. Road, pathway or trail systems are relatively well developed. Other facilities are included at strategic locations such as entries, trail heads, building complexes and parking lots. Mode VI — Minimum Level Maintenance: Maintenance associated with low visitation natural areas or large urban parks that are undeveloped. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.40 Current Parks and Recreation Department Budget & Maintenance Activities The Schertz Parks and Recreation Department currently receives no funding on an annual basis for major capital improvements. The Parks and Recreation Department’s capital improvements are primarily dependent on bond initiatives and grants. All funding of the department’s maintenance, operations, programming, and staffing is through the general fund. Parks and Recreation Department Maintenance Requirements Table 4.32 identifies the typical maintenance tasks performed by the Parks and Recreation department, the frequency of performance and the time typically devoted to each task. This information is utilized to identify the approximate number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions that would be need to carry out this level of maintenance. Table 4.33 captures the FTE workload currently being performed at Schertz sports facilities through the partnerships with BVYA and SYSA. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.41 Maintenance Task Units of Inventory Units of Measure Service Level Annual Freq. Total Annual Units Staff Hrs. / Unit Staff Hrs. / Year FTE’s / Year Amenity R&M 135 Each Annual 1 135 0.25 33.75 0.02 Banner Program 46 Each Quarterly 4 184 0.25 46 0.02 Basketball Courts R&M 8 Court Weekly 52 416 0.5 208 0.1 Capital Improvement Project Support 5 Each As Needed 2 10 113 1130 0.54 Community Circle Drive 6 Acres Daily 260 1,560 0.75 1170 0.56 Community Restitution and Volunteer Services Program Administration 1 Each Daily 260 260 1 260 0.13 Equipment R&M 26 Each Daily 260 6760 0.25 1690 0.81 Formal Bed Maintenance 20 Each Quarterly 4 80 1 80 0.04 Irrigation System R&M 35 Site Weekly 52 1820 0.25 455 0.22 Leaf / Debris Removal 340 Acres Annual 1 340 0.2 68 0.03 Mowing/Trimming/Blowing 340 Acres 10 Calendar Days 36 12240 0.5 6120 2.94 Municipal Campus (north) 2.35 Acres Daily 260 611 0.5 305.5 0.15 Municipal Campus (south) 8 Acres Daily 260 2080 0.5 1040 0.5 On-Call Duty 4 Each Daily 3 12 195 2340 1.13 PFD (personal, fatigue, delay) 5 6% of total man-time Annual 1 5 124.8 624 0.3 Park Cleanup 13 Each Daily 365 4745 0.5 2372.5 1.14 Parking Lots R&M 7 Lot Annual 6 42 0.2 8.4 0 Pavilion R&M 6 Each Daily 260 1560 0.25 390 0.19 Playground I&R 17 Each Weekly 52 884 0.33 291.72 0.14 Restroom Servicing 16 Facility Daily / Season 365 5840 0.33 1927.2 0.93 Schertz Beautification Program 16.3 Acres Daily 260 4238 1 4238 2.04 Schertz Parkway Clean-up 5.95 Acres Daily 365 2171.75 0.5 1085.88 0.52 Sick Leave 5 Each Monthly 12 60 18.5 1110 0.53 Sign R&M 10 Each Annual 1 10 5 50 0.02 Swimming Pools R&M 4 Each Daily / Season 150 600 0.5 300 0.14 Trails / Path R&M 15.65 Miles Monthly 12 187.8 1 187.8 0.09 Tree Hazards 12 Each Per Event 1 12 2 24 0.01 Vacation Leave 5 Each Monthly 12 60 18.5 1110 0.53 Vandalism R&M 12 Event Per Event 1 12 1 12 0.01 Winterization 57 Each Spigot/Faucet Annual 2 114 0.5 57 0.03 Total FTE 13.81 Table 4.32 – Estimated maintenance workload completed by the Parks & Recreation Department City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.42 Maintenance Task Units of Inventory Units of Measure Service Level Annual Freq. Total Annual Units Staff Hrs. / Unit Staff Hrs. / Year FTE’s / Year Seasonal Field Prep - Baseball/Softball Fields -HPT 5 Field Four times / year 4 20 4 80 0.04 Seasonal Prep - Common areas HPT 1 CA Four times / year 4 4 4 16 0.01 Seasonal Field Prep - Baseball/Softball Fields -SBP 7 Field Two times / year 2 14 4 56 0.03 Seasonal Prep - Common areas SBP 1 CA Two times / year 2 2 8 16 0.01 Baseball/Softball Fields R&M (During Season) -HPT 5 Field Twice per week 104 520 2.5 1300 0.63 Seasonal R&M Common Area HPT 1 CA Once per week 52 52 4 208 0.10 Baseball/Softball Fields R&M (During Season) -SBP 7 Field Twice per week 104 728 2.5 1820 0.88 Seasonal R&M Common Area SBP 1 CA Once per week 52 52 8 416 0.20 Seasonal Field Prep - Soccer 12 Field Twice per Year 2 24 2 48 0.02 Soccer Fields R&M (During Season) 12 Field Three times / week 72 864 1 864 0.42 Soccer Fields Common Area Maintenance 1 CA Three times / week 72 72 4 288 0.14 Total FTE 2.46 Table 4.33 – Estimated maintenance workload completed by the Buffalo Valley Youth Association and the Schertz Youth Soccer Alliance. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.43 Deferred Maintenance & Repairs of Existing Parks One very important job of a city is to maintain existing facilities and amenities. Often after a park is built, it is seen as less of a priority than new projects and the condition of the park begins to slip. As previously shown in the public input section of this chapter, an average 98% of the Schertz population agree that better parks will help to improve the City’s image. Additionally, only 8% of survey respondents rated our parks as “Excellent” overall. While 51% of the respondents gave an overall “Good” rating, 33% rated them as “Fair” Figure 4-5. Basketball Court at Wendy Swan Park The Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) provides a detailed definition of deferred maintenance and repairs as follows; “Deferred maintenance and repairs” are maintenance and repair activities that were not performed when they should have been or were scheduled to be and which, therefore, are put off or delayed for a future period. Maintenance and repairs are activities directed toward keeping fixed assets in an acceptable condition. Activities include preventive maintenance; replacement of parts, systems, or components; and other activities needed to preserve or maintain the asset. Maintenance and repairs, as distinguished from capital improvements, exclude activities directed towards expanding the capacity of an asset or otherwise upgrading it to serve needs different from, or significantly greater than, its current use. Figure 4-6. Trash Receptacle at Wendy Swan Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.44 It is important to note that the failure to perform needed repairs in a timely fashion could lead to asset deterioration and ultimately asset impairment. Generally, a policy of continued deferred maintenance may ultimately result in higher costs, asset failure, and in some cases, health and safety implications. Figure 4-7. Basketball Court at Ashley Park A physical inspection of all parks was conducted and several areas were identified that should be addressed. Items identified in this section do not prevent continued operation of the facility at this time. Several parks were identified as needing installed amenities replaced. In most cases, replacement of amenities is due to the currently installed features nearing the end of their projected service life. In some cases, the currently installed features do not meet current standards, require routine maintenance on a basis that exceeds current department capabilities, or are simply inadequate for the demand being place on them. Figure 4-8. Trash Receptacle at Ashley Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.45 No significant deferred maintenance was identified at the Schertz Ballparks, the Schertz Playscape or Forrest Ridge Park. The Schertz Soccer Complex was not addressed, as it is currently programmed for a complete renovation. Significant deferred maintenance items were identified in Ashley, Crescent Bend, Cut Off, Gutierrez, Lone Oak, Wendy Swan Memorial, Pickrell, Thulemeyer and Woodland Oaks Parks. The Figures 4.5 through 4.12 are representative of some of the “Deferred Maintenance” issues. Figure 4-9. Gazebo at Gutierrez Park Figure 4-10. Pickrell Park Picnic Table Figure 4-11. Scorer’s booth at Thulemeyer Park Figure 4-12. Trash receptacle and Picnic Table at Thulemeyer Park City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.46 A list of deferred maintenance items by location is provided in Table 4.34. Estimated costs to bring these items up to current standards are not currently available but should be developed for planning purposes. Table 4.34 – Deferred Parks Maintenance Park Name Feature Ashley Park Replace basketball court surface Resurface path Remove, renovate or replace existing bathroom Replace 1 water fountain with new style Crescent Bend Park Top coat existing roads Cut Off Park Resurface path Gutierrez Park Remove excess water connections Replace benches with current style bench (amenity upgrade) Lone Oak Replace one bench (amenity upgrade) Wendy Swan Memorial Park Color coat & stripe basketball court Pickrell Park Replace existing water fountains (amenity upgrade) Replace existing trash receptacles (amenity upgrade) Replace existing picnic tables (amenity upgrade) Thulemeyer Park Replace field lighting Replace concession stand Repair / Replace dugouts & field structures Replace field fencing Replace existing water fountains (amenity upgrade) Replace existing trash receptacles (amenity upgrade) Replace existing picnic tables (amenity upgrade) Woodland Oaks Refurbish to establish as full outdoor court, color coat & stripe basketball court City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 4.47 This page intentionally left blank City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.1 Diversity Accommodation Conservation Opportunity Connectivity Chapter Contents: - Public Input - Key Findings from Public Input Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! City of Schertz Chapter 5 Citizen Survey and Public Input City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.2 Public Input Regarding Schertz’s Current State The recommendations of the 2014 Schertz Strategic Parks and Recreation Master Plan are designed to reflect the recreational needs and desires of the citizens of Schertz. Citizen input was key to determining what facilities are most used, where key needs exist, and what level of emphasis the citizens of Schertz would like to place on key recommendations of the plan. Public involvement is a key part of the process of developing the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The goal of public involvement was to obtain input from the City of Schertz residents about their community priorities and understand the unique characteristics of the City of Schertz and its various neighborhoods. The input process also familiarized citizens with the master planning process and created awareness of opportunities for improvement. The benefits of having citizens involved in the planning process developed a sense of ownership and support for the overall Master Plan. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to gather citizen input. Public input methods included: An online survey, available to any resident of the community so that all people had the opportunity to specifically voice their opinion. Multiple interviews with representatives of governmental entities in Schertz and key stakeholder groups. Online Survey Citizens were given the opportunity to log onto the City of Schertz’s website and take a survey pertaining to parks and recreation. The survey was modeled after the questionnaire from the public input meetings with the questions being the same. The extensive questionnaire asked about topics such as beautification in the city, connectivity with trails and bike lanes, preservation of natural resources, recreation and programming, and funding strategies for the department. The purpose of the questionnaire and the other surveys was to establish a philosophy which the citizens of Schertz wanted the Parks and Recreation Department to follow. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.3 One-on-One Interviews One-on-one interviews were conducted with community leaders and other departments within the city government. The individuals were selected based upon consultation with city staff. These interviews provided a broad but varied understanding of needs and concerns, as well as a historical perspective. The interviews also afforded the opportunity to provide these community leaders with a project overview. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to gather citizen input. Reliability of Survey Data Confidence Interval & Confidence Level The confidence interval (also called margin of error) is the plus-or-minus figure usually reported in newspaper or television opinion poll results. For example, if you use a confidence interval of 4 and 47% percent of your sample picks an answer you can be "sure" that if you had asked the question of the entire relevant population between 43% (47-4) and 51% (47+4) would have picked that answer. The confidence level tells you how sure you can be. It is expressed as a percentage and represents how often the true percentage of the population who would pick an answer lies within the confidence interval. The 95% confidence level means you can be 95% certain; the 99% confidence level means you can be 99% certain. Most researchers use the 95% confidence level. When you put the confidence level and the confidence interval together, you can say that you are 95% sure that the true percentage of the population is between 43% and 51%. The wider the confidence interval you are willing to accept, the more certain you can be that the whole population answers would be within that range. Factors that Affect Confidence Intervals There are three factors that determine the size of the confidence interval for a given confidence level: Sample size Percentage Population size City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.4 Sample Size The larger your sample size, the more sure you can be that their answers truly reflect the population. This indicates that for a given confidence level, the larger your sample size, the smaller your confidence interval. However, the relationship is not linear (i.e., doubling the sample size does not halve the confidence interval). Percentage Your accuracy also depends on the percentage of your sample that picks a particular answer. If 99% of your sample said "Yes" and 1% said "No," the chances of error are remote, irrespective of sample size. However, if the percentages are 51% and 49% the chances of error are much greater. It is easier to be sure of extreme answers than of middle-of-the-road ones. When determining the sample size needed for a given level of accuracy you must use the worst case percentage (50%). You should also use this percentage if you want to determine a general level of accuracy for a sample you already have. To determine the confidence interval for a specific answer your sample has given, you can use the percentage picking that answer and get a smaller interval. Population Size This may be the number of people in a city you are studying, such as the number of actual people, or the number of household, regardless of the number of people in each household. Often you may not know the exact population size. The mathematics of probability proves the size of the population is irrelevant unless the size of the sample exceeds a few percent of the total population you are examining. This means that a sample of 500 people is equally useful in examining the opinions of a state of 15,000,000 as it would a city of 100,000. Population size is only likely to be a factor when you work with a relatively small and known group of people (e.g., the members of an association). The confidence interval calculations assume you have a genuine random sample of the relevant population. If your sample is not truly random, you cannot rely on the intervals. Non- random samples usually result from some flaw in the sampling procedure. An example of such a flaw is to only call people during the day and miss almost everyone who works. For most purposes, the non-working population cannot be assumed to accurately represent the entire (working and non-working) population. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.5 Survey methodology - Residents throughout the city were able to complete an on-line survey from October 2012 through March 2013. The survey link was placed on the City’s main web site with a pop-up feature that informed visitors of the survey. Additionally, citizens were advised of the survey by an article in the City’s Schertz Tales Magazine and a notification line added to mailed city water bills. Survey administration included the use in IP address filtering, thereby only allowing each location to take the survey one time. This was done in order to limit the survey to one attempt per household. A total of 329 surveys were completed from a survey population size of approximately 10,916 households in the City of Schertz. In our survey, 329 respondents based on a population of 10,916 households yielded a 90% confidence level with an error interval of ± 4.5%. The confidence level indicates that on any given question, the responses received reflect the way most residents of Schertz would respond to the same question. This was a slight increase from the survey conducted when developing the 2007 Schertz Parks & Open Space Master Plan, where 252 individuals participated in the survey. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.6 Survey Results Question 1 – Which of the following do you think is/are important for the City of Schertz public parks and recreation facilities to provide for its citizens (check all that apply) Area Response Accessible place to enjoy nature 75.2% Fun for participants and observers 69.7% Improved physical and mental health 67.2% Improve quality of life 63.8% Increase in community pride 50.8% Structure and supervision for children and youth 43.7% Attraction for new business 23.2% Cultural education 22.0% Increase in tourism 14.2% Other 12.7% Question 2 – Check the park and recreation facilities which you or members of your household have used in the past year. Pickrell Park 74% Schertz (YMCA) 39.7% Schertz Library Playscape 32.3% Existing Trails 29.7% Crescent Bend Nature Park 27.7% Schertz Community Center 27.3% Schertz Baseball Fields 22.3% Ashley Park 18.7% Northcliffe Park 15.3% Woodland Oaks Park 15.0% Schertz Soccer Complex 11.7% Thulemeyer Park 7.3% Cut Off Park 6.7% Northcliffe Community Center 6.7% Forest Ridge Park 5.0% Gutierrez Xeriscape Park 2.7% Lone Oak Park 2.3% City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.7 When asked if they preferred many small parks, few larger parks, a combination or neither, the majority (60.1%) preferred a combination of large and small parks, with an additional 26.7% preferring large parks. Residents were asked to rate how well the parks facilities and activities meet the needs of their households. This question is very important in that it establishes a base level that can be tracked in subsequent surveys over time. Approximately 43% of the citizens in taking the survey felt that the current parks and activities met their household needs. Approximately 38% of the respondents felt that our facilities and activities DO NOT meet their needs. 19% were undecided. Question 3 – Would you prefer to have many small parks developed within the city or would you prefer to have a few large parks developed? Question 4 – Which of the following best describes your feeling on the following statement: “the existing facilities and activities for the City of Schertz Parks & Recreation are adequate and meet the needs of my household.” 8% 27% 60% 2% 3% Desired park size Many Small Parks A few large Parks Combination Neither Undecided 7% 36% 19% 31% 7% Existing facilities and activities meet needs of household Strongly Agree Agree Undecided Disagree Srongly Disagree City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.8 Question 5 – Which of the following best describes your feeling on the following statement: “Current recreation facilities at schools should be more accessible to the public during non-school use.” Question 6 – If spending were increased for parks and recreation, would you prefer the money be spent on acquiring and developing new parks and facilities or developing and operating recreational programs and activities? 33% 37% 12% 12% 6% School facilities should be more accessible Strongly Agree Agree Undecided Disagree Srongly Disagree 29% 18% 48% 2% 3% Preference towards spending Acquire and develop facilities Programs and activities Both Neither Undedided Approximately 70% of survey respondents expressed a desire to have school recreation facilities be made more accessible to the public during non-school use. This area should be addressed as an opportunity for increased partnership and cooperation between the City of Schertz and the Schertz Cibolo Universal City Independent School District (SCUC ISD). While 29% of the survey respondents preferred to see additional funding go to acquiring additional parkland and 18% preferred to see additional funding be spent on recreational programs & activities, the majority of respondents, 48% preferred a balance approach to address both areas! City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.9 Question 7 – What means of transportation do you usually use to get to a park or recreation facility. Question 8 – How far would you be willing to travel from your home to use a City of Schertz Parks & Recreation Facility or attend an activity? 80% 4% 11% 5% Methods of travel Car Bike Walk Other 24% 42% 19% 11% 4% Distance willing to travel 1-3 miles 4-6 miles 6-10 miles 10-15 miles Other 80% of the survey respondents indicated that they drive when going to a park or recreational facility. 11% indicated that they walk and 4% use a bike. With regards to travel distance, 24% indicated that they would be willing to travel 1-3 miles to get to a park or recreational facility; 42% stated 4-6 miles; 19% stated 6-10 miles. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.10 Question 9 – Which of the following best describe how you perceive the need for greenways, which would include trails for walking, biking, and running, that would interconnect many areas, parks and school facilities within the City of Schertz. Question 10 – How often have you and members of your household visited City of Schertz parks during the past year? 56% 38% 4% 2% Need for greenways & trail connections Extreme importance Some importance No Importance Undecided 17% 25% 24% 30% 5% Frequency of visits to parks Once a week Few time a month Once a month Few time a year Never 94% of survey respondents placed an important need for established greenway, including bicycle, walking and running trails designed to interconnect various areas and facilities within the city! Residents were asked to indicate how often they have visited a Schertz park in the past year. 66% indicated that they visit a park at least once a month or more often. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.11 Question 11 - How would you rate the physical condition of the parks in Schertz? Question 12 – Overall, how would you rate the parks, recreation opportunities and open space in Schertz? 8% 51% 33% 4% 4% Physical condition of Schertz parks Excellent Good Fair Poor No Opinion 6% 49% 35% 7% 4% Overall rating of parks, recreation & open space Excellent Good Fair Poor No Opinion While 59% of survey respondents rated the physical condition of our existing parks favorably, 41% rated them as fair or poor or had no opinion. 55% of survey respondents gave the overall rating of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space a favorable rating, 35% gave an overall rating of “fair”, 7% rated it “poor” with 4% having “no opinion”. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.12 Question 13 – Do you feel the City of Schertz would benefit from hiring a full time Recreation Director to plan, organize and develop city wide recreational activities? Question 14 – Do you feel the City of Schertz needs to acquire additional parkland? 66% 34% Would the City of Schertz benefit from hiring a full time recreation director to plan, organize and develop city wide recreational activities? Yes No 67% 33% Do you feel the City of Schertz needs to acquire additional park land? Yes No 66% of survey respondents felt that hiring a “full time” Recreation Director to plan, organize and develop recreational activities would benefit the city! 67% of survey respondents indicated that the City of Schertz needs to acquire additional park land. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.13 Question 15 – Which of the following best describes your feelings regarding the fees associated with city parks and activities, such as pool passes, pavilion rentals, community center fees, etc? Question 16 - How should the City pay for new and added park facilities and programs? 18% 46% 2% 34% Curent parks & activity fees Fees are too high Current fees are appropriate Fee are too low Unaware of fees 30% 25% 17% 14% 8% 6% How should we pay for parks? Bond Issue User Fees General Fund Development Impact Fee County Wide Rec Tax Property Tax Assessment 18% of survey respondents felt that current fees associated with Parks & Recreation are too high and 46% believe the current fees are appropriate. 34% of respondents were unaware of the current fees 30% of survey respondents indicated they were in favor of continued Bond Issues as a vehicle to pay for Parks & Recreation. 25% were in favor of users fees. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.14 Question 17 – In which recreation programs or activities would you or members of your household be most interested in participating? Activity Percentage of respondents Interested Hiking 89.90% Biking 87.50% Health / Wellness Programs 86.00% Fitness Classes 83.40% Fishing 74.70% Water Exercise 73.10% Nature Study 69.80% Swim Lessons 64.20% Dance Classes 60.50% Tennis 55.60% Soccer 53.90% Basketball 52.30% Football 50.00% Volleyball 49.30% Sand Volleyball 48.80% Baseball-T/ball 46.00% Racquetball 44.90% Softball 42.20% Competition swim team 41.00% Gymnastics 40.00% Youth Wrestling 20.10% In-Line hockey 17.20% Question 18 – Do you feel that there is a definite need, somewhat or not a need for any of the following ATHLETIC facilities that would be added to existing parks or in future parks in the City of Schertz? Facility Ranking Running Tracks 1.79 Basketball Courts 2.18 Tennis Courts 2.20 Volleyball Courts 2.24 Practice Athletic Fields 2.30 Soccer Fields 2.37 Football Fields 2.47 Baseball Fields 2.55 Softball Fields 2.57 Question 17 lists the respondents’ interests from high to low regarding desired activities. Question 18 lists the respondents’ interests from most needed to least needed with regards to athletic facilities for the city. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.15 Question 19 – Do you feel there is a definite need, somewhat or not a need for any of the following RECREATION facilities that would be added to existing parks or in future parks in the City of Schertz? Recreation Program Ranking Hike / Bike Trails 1.42 Natural / Open Spaces 1.49 Fitness Trail with Exercise Stations 1.68 Indoor Swimming Pool 1.75 Picnic Pavilions 1.81 Fishing Areas 1.87 Playgrounds 1.88 Water Park / Children Water Playground 1.93 Outdoor Swimming Pool 1.97 Botanic / Flower Garden Areas 2.02 Senior Centers 2.03 Skateboard Park 2.22 Amphitheater 2.24 Disc Golf 2.43 Horse Shoe Pits 2.46 Question 20 – Check the appropriate spaces if you would like to see the City of Schertz Parks & Recreation increase its activities for the following groups during the following hours. Question 19 lists the respondents’ interests from most needed to least needed with regards to recreation facilities for the Question 20 provides the respondents’ input on when they believe the city needs to expand activities for the residents, based on age groups. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.16 21. Please identify the methods you use to get information about activities offered by the City of Schertz Parks & Recreations facilities and activities (check all that apply) 22. How many persons, including yourself, reside within your household? 3.4% 9.1% 36.1% 38.2% 76.2% 78.7% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0% 90.0% Users source of park information Users Source of Park Information 6% 27% 23% 24% 20% Residents in household One Two Three Four Five or More Question 21 indicated that most residents received information regarding parks & recreation facilities and recreational activities from the city web site and the Schertz Magazine! 67% of the respondents reported 3 or more persons, living in their household. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.17 23. How long have you been a resident of the City of Schertz? 24. What is your age? 14% 22% 26% 25% 14% How long have you been a Schertz resident? Less than 2 Years 2 - 5 Years 6-10 Years 11-20 Years Over 20 Years 1% 2% 14% 31% 28% 20% 3% 1% Age of survey respondents Under 18 19-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75 or Older 1.0% 1.6% 14.3% 30.9% 28.0% 19.9% 2.9% 1.3% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0% Age of survey respondents Age of Survey Respondents 65% of the respondents have been residing in Schertz for 6 or more years. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.18 25. How many children (under the age of 18) live at your residence? 26. How many adults (age 18 or older) live at your residence? 45% 24% 20% 7% 3% 1% Number of children in residence No Answer One Two Three Four Five or More 12% 65% 15% 7% 1% Number of adults in residence One Two Three Four Five or More 55% of the survey respondents reported having children in their household with 31% reported having 2 or more children! The results from question 26 indicated that 88% of the respondents had more than one adult in the residence over 18 years of age. 65% of the respondents had 2 adults in the residence; an additional 23% had three or more. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.19 27. How many children in each of the following age groups live in your residence? 28. What is the total approximate income for your household (from all sources) (OPTIONAL) 65 119 85 106 Pre School or younger (4 yrs or under) Elementary School (5-11 yrs) Middle School (12- 14 yrs) High School (15-18 yrs) 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 Children by Age Grouping Children by Age Grouping 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% Under $25K $25K - $50K $50K - $75K $75K - $100K Over $100K Not Answered Total household income Total Household Income From the 182 respondents with children, most have 1-2 children and those children are fairly even distributed between the 4 age brackets 50% of survey participants reported an average income of $75K or more. This was comparable to the range reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey, median salary of $71,842 City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 5.20 This page intentionally left blank Diversity Accommodation Conservation Opportunity Connectivity Chapter Contents: - Park System Needs Overview - Needs Assessment Process - Recommended Parks Standards - On-Going Planning and Development Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! City of Schertz Chapter 6 Desired State City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.2 Parks and Recreation Needs Overview The general plan for future development of Schertz’s parks and recreation system was developed through evaluation of existing conditions, planned improvements, and projected future needs based upon anticipated development and increases in population. This plan will be a valuable resource that is used on a continuous basis in guiding the City's parks and recreation development program. The goals, objectives and recommended actions of the plan should be referenced in other planning studies and development proposal reports to ensure consideration of existing and planned public parks, recreation areas and open space. As new residential subdivisions are platted and developed, there should be allowances for sufficient land capable of being developed for public parks and recreation uses. Schertz has experienced explosive growth in the past thirty years, growing from a population of 7,262 in 1980 to 31,560 in 2010. The City’s growth during these three decades averaged approximately 63.7%, and far exceeded the Texas average of approximately 20%. To facilitate future Parks & Recreation needs, we need to project the growth of the city into the future. While it might not be wise to expect the same level of growth into the next thirty years, it is safe to assume that the City of Schertz will continue to grow based on the current state of our economy, desirable location and recent addition of lands expanding the City’s ETJ. This plan utilizes the future growth forecast developed by Gateway Planning in their “Schertz Sector Plan.” Growth projections for planning purposes are as follows: Time Period Population Projected Gain Pct. Growth 2010 (Current) 31560 2020 (Estimate) 44505 12945 41.02% 2030 (Estimate) 57330 12825 28.82% 2040 (Estimate) 70155 12825 22.37% Table 6.1 – Schertz Growth Projections City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.3 Needs Assessment Process The Needs Assessment is the most critical component of the parks master planning effort. It is an analytical way of gauging what facilities are most needed and desired by the citizens, so as to determine which needs are the most critical. The needs assessment compares the current state of park and recreation facilities and programs within the city today and aids in identifying deficiencies, shortfalls and gaps in the system so that actions can address immediate deficiencies. It also aids in future planning in city-wide development and budgeting to address these needs. Previously recreation needs assessments were based solely on the national guidelines and standards established by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) to determine facility needs. National standards are simply guidelines or benchmarks that are intended to serve as a starting point for park planning. These standards should not be used as the sole method to forecast needs, since they are based on a “one size fits all” type of evaluation. The Schertz Parks Master Plan was developed based on multiple techniques in order to account for our unique needs and requirements. Three techniques were used in evaluating current and future park needs. A combination of standard-based, demand-based and resource-based approaches were utilized to assess the need for additional parks and recreation areas and facilities in Schertz. These techniques follow general methodologies accepted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for local park master plans. These three methods are: Standards-based assessment (using locally developed standards for facilities); Demand-based assessment (using calculated or anticipated growth data); and Resource-based assessment (using assessment of unique physical features in Schertz). The Schertz needs assessment looked at all three criteria to develop recommendations for what parks and facilities are best suited to support the residents now and in the future, as well as how to integrate with the city’s future growth Within this plan, the standards for parks in Schertz are essentially the same as previous identified in the existing Comprehensive Land Plan. The standards based assessment provides a better perspective with regards to park space, supporting amenities and facilities as established by the NRPA. To better gauge the city’s needs, the city was also assessed against standards established by other Texas cities comparable in size and population, in order to determine recommendations for future parks development. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.4 The demand-based approach entailed input from key staff interviews, the citizen survey and review by the Parks Advisory Board and a Community Forum. It also took into consideration participation rates from areas such as participation on Schertz youth leagues, YMCA participation, pool utilization, rental facilities, etc. The third method, a resource-based assessment, takes into account the unique location and physical constraints of Schertz that might impact or enhance our recreation system. Some examples of resource-based assessment issues include the impact of Randolph AFB, as well as Cibolo creek and Dietz creek areas. To assess the adequacy of the existing parks and recreation supply, it is necessary to look at existing population and the supplies of parks provided by existing facilities, and then relate them to planning standards for desirable levels of service. In addition, it is necessary to consider population forecasts to determine future parks and recreation needs and to identify and address future system deficiencies. Based upon a population of 31,560 persons, the City should have between 190 acres and 315 acres of mini/pocket, neighborhood, and community parks. The City is right at the low end for these types of parks based on typical national standards, as it currently has 188.94 acres of parks space in these categories. Parks in the City of Schertz include 4 community parks totaling approximately 82 acres, 27 neighborhood parks totaling approximately 106 acres, and 3 mini/pocket parks totaling approximately 1 acre in area. The city also has one regional park totaling 175 acres, 3 Special Purpose parks totaling 3 acres and 1 Linear Park covering 47 acres. Since Schertz is located in proximity to San Antonio, the need for additional regional park space is not a significant concern. Nearby parks and recreational facilities in the region do fulfill a portion of the overall need. With the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) located within the southern half of the City, a major opportunity exists to create a regional recreational facility, or a series of community and neighborhood parks, which will provide needed recreational facilities as well as park space for future growth. Park acreage currently dedicated as parkland (all categories), including both developed and undeveloped parks, city-owned and non-city-owned, totals 415.10 acres. The overall existing level of parks service in Schertz is approximately 13.15 acres for every 1,000 residents. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.5 The following tables provide an updated assessment of the current level of parks and facilities and the level of sufficiency or deficiency for each category. Furthermore, the tables provide a future assessment of the level sufficiency or deficiency based on projected population growth and assuming that no additional park space or facility is added. Service Areas Evaluating service areas is an effective means of identifying geographic areas that have sufficient parkland and to identify those areas in need of additional parks and recreation facilities. Community parks have a primary service area of one mile, meaning that a majority of persons utilizing community parks typically reside within one mile of the park. Neighborhood parks should be planned to provide a primary service area of ½ mile from the park. SCUCISD School Facilities Most SCUCISD facilities are not typically available for public use; therefore, many school facilities in Schertz are not indicated on the majority of the following service maps. School facilities that are available for public use are indicated on service maps and have been included in calculations for level of service and future needs. Service Gaps The existing park “service area” diagrams clearly convey areas within the existing park system that have reduced or limited access to parks service and facilities. One area lacking direct park service includes the northern sector of the City paralleling both the north and south sides of I-35. Another large area currently without any direct park and recreational access is the southern sector of the City, north of I-10 and south of FM 78. A challenge will be to target land for acquisition in both areas to ensure adequate parkland is set aside and eventually improved with facilities adequate for the anticipated demand and need. Achieving a system of neighborhood parks that is uniformly distributed throughout the City may be accomplished in several ways, including pre-development acquisition by the City, dedication requirements concurrent with subdivision approval, public/private partnerships, and other strategies. While the provision of community parks is generally agreed to be the responsibility of the City, there is much less certainty about the responsibility of the City to provide parks for private development. It is advisable for the City to require dedication of parkland concurrent with a final plat or a development site plan. This method assures adequate park areas consistent with the demand and impact placed on the public parks system by new development. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.6 Recommended Parks Standards for Schertz A good example of the need to personalize our Parks Master Plan can be seen by comparing Schertz to other Texas cities as well as National Standards. For example, Cedar Creek, population 21,132 has a “recommended level of service” for Neighborhood parks established at 3.0 acres per 1,000 or population, yet Round Rock, population 106,573 has a recommended service level for neighborhood parks set at 1.25 to 2 acres per 1,000. Each community should have a goal to tailor their parks and recreations needs to the needs and desires of their residents and capitalize on their unique local features. Table 6.2 provides a comparison of various park and amenity standards and reflects the recommended standards for Schertz compared to the current and former NRPA recommendations, as well as the recommended standards reflected in the Parks Master Plans of various cities in Texas. The proposed standards for Schertz will keep the city competitive and comparable to our local communities, while addressing the specific needs and desires of our citizens. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.7 City Po p u l a t i o n Ne i g h b o r h o o d P a rk Go a l s Co m m u n i t y P a r k Go a l s Ov e r a l l P a r k S p a c e Po o l s Ba s e b a l l Fi e l d s So f t b a l l F i e l d s So c c e r F i e l d s Fo o t b a l l F i e l d s Pr a c t i c e F i e l d s Ba s k e t b a l l C o u r t s (Ou t d o o r ) Te n n i s C o u r t s Tr a i l s Schertz (Recommended) 31,560 1-2 acres per 1,000 5-8 acres per 1,000 13.15 acres per 1,000 3-5 sq. yards per occupant based on 1.5% of the population 1 field per 3,000 (Combines Baseball & Softball Requirements) 1 field per 3,500 1 field per 8,000 1 field per 4,500 1 court per 5,000 1 court per 3,500 1 mile per 3,000 NRPA Guidelines N/A 1-2 acres per 1,000 5-8 acres per 1,000 N/A 1 per 20,000 (pools should accommodate 3- 5% of population) 1 field per 5,000 1 field per 5,000 1 field per 10,000 1 field per 20,000 N/A 1 court per 5,000 1 court per 2,000 1 system per region NRPA 2013 PRORAGIS Report (Median Reporting Averages) 48,000 N/A N/A 11.1 per 1,000 1 outdoor pool per 33,128 1 indoor pool per 47,800 1 field per 2,900 1 field per 2,900 1 field per 3,783 1 field per 3,783 N/A 1 court per 7,340 1 court per 4,375 N/A Round Rock 106,573 1.25-2 acres per 1,000 4-8 acres per 1,000 44 acres per 1,000 3-5 sq. yards per occupant based on 1.5% of the population 1 field per 5,000 1 field per 8,000 1 field per 4,000 1 field per 10,000 1 field per 4,000 1 court per 3,000 1 court per 3,500 1 mile per 2,500 Cedar Park 79,359 3 acres per 1,000 4-6 acres per 1,000 23-31 acres per 1,000 3 sq. yards per occupant based on 3% of the population 1 field per 6,500 1 field per 7,500 1 field per 2,750 Not Addressed 1 baseball per 2,000 1 Softball per 3,000 1 Soccer per 2,000 1court per 3,000 1 court per 5,600 1 mile per 4,250 New Braunfels 60,761 1-1.5 acres per 1,000 4-6 acres per 1,000 5.27 per 1,000 1 pool per 20,000 1 field per 5,000 1 field per 5,000 1 field per 6,000 Not Addressed 1 field per 4,000 (Backstops) 1 court per 5,000 1 court per 4,000 1 mile per 7,500 Huntsville 39,666 2 acres per 1000 Not addressed 5.63 per 1,000 800 sq. ft. per 1,000 population 1 field per 1,500 1 field per 1,500 1 field per 4,000 1 field per 4,000 Not addressed 1 court per 5,000 1 court per 1,500 1 mile per 3,000 Friendswood 37,773 1-2 acres per 1,000 5-8 acres per 1,000 6.14 per 1,000 Not Addressed 1 field per 5,000 1 field per 5,000 1 field per 3,000 Not Addressed Not Addressed 1 court per 5,000 1 court per 2,000 Not Addressed Table 6.2 – Parks Standards Comparison (Schertz Standards vs. Various Texas Cities and the NRPA) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.8 Neighborhood Parks in Schertz An acre of Neighborhood Park typically serves 200 to 1,000 residents. The existing level of service in Schertz is listed below. Neighborhood parks should be integrated into their communities in a prominent manner and not layered in as an afterthought. Schertz utilizes a combination of city-owned parks and HOA-owned parks. City-owned parks are pictured with a ½ mile service radius to indicate the area supported. HOA parks have a service radius of the actual HOA boundary. Future neighborhood park spatial needs are summarized below. Neighborhood Parks Level of Service (Existing) • Recommended level of service – 1 to 2 acres per every 1,000 residents • Provide service area goal of ½ mile radius around the park City Parks, Amenity Centers, and HOAs • Current acres – 106.94 acres • Current Level of Service – 3.39 acres per 1,000 population or one acre for every 295 residents • % of Recommended Level of Service - 169% to 339% Neighborhood Parks (Surplus or Deficit) • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 32 to 63 acres, a surplus of 44 acres to 75 acres • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 45 to 89 acres, a surplus of 18 acres to 62 acres • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population – target of 57 to 115 acres, surplus of 50 acres to deficit of 8 acres • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 70 to 140 acres, surplus of 37 acres to deficit of 33 acres Key Issues – Providing service within a reasonable distance and with adequate amenities is a key concern for neighborhood parks. Although the city currently maintains parkland acreage that exceeds the recommended goals, the existing acreage is located in a manner that creates gaps and lack of service in some areas and excessive overlap in other areas. Additionally, several parks are undeveloped and do not provide any real service that a typical neighborhood park would provide. • Level of Need – Low need for adding additional Neighborhood parks at this time. • Level of Need – Very High need for installing playscapes and amenities at undeveloped park locations in order to resolve gaps in coverage and improve service. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.9 Figure 6.1 - Neighborhood parks (City Wide) Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.10 Figure 6.2 - Neighborhood parks (North Schertz) Map Data ©2013 Google Figure 6.3 - Neighborhood parks (Central Schertz) Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.11 Figure 6.4 - Neighborhood parks (South Schertz) Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.12 Community Parks in Schertz Schertz Community parks are among the most popular and heavily utilized in the city. All Community parks are located in central Schertz. New development in north Schertz and projected development in south Schertz has created a major shortage with no community parks developed to serve these areas. Recent renovation to Pickrell Park and on-going renovations to the City Ballpark and the Schertz Soccer Complex have eliminated many previous issues regarding amenities and insufficient space for utilization based on local demand. Thulemeyer Park, however, is in need of significant renovation. Future community park spatial needs are summarized below. Community Parks Level of Service (Existing) • Recommended level of service – 5 to 8 acres per every 1,000 residents City Parks, Amenity Centers, and HOAs • Current acres – 82 acres • Current Level of Service – 2.60 acres per 1,000 population or one acre for every 385 residents • % of Recommended Level of Service - 32% to 52% Community Parks (Surplus or Deficit) • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 158 to 252 acres, a deficit of 76 acres to 170 acres • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 223 to 356 acres, a deficit of 141 acres to 274 acres • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population – target of 287 to 459 acres, a deficit of 205 acres to 377 acres • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 351 to 561 acres, a deficit of 269 acres to 479 acres Key Issues – All community parks are located in central Schertz. There is a great need for community parks in north and south Schertz for the residential expansion in these areas. • Level of Need – High for additional community parks, particularly with locations in north and south Schertz. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.13 Figure 6.5 - Community Parks service map Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.14 Regional Parks in Schertz Schertz has one regional park: Crescent Bend Nature Park. The map on the following page illustrates the service areas of the Crescent Bend Park. Based on the recommended standard of 5-10 acres per 1,000 residents, Schertz currently has a deficit of 17 to 141 acres of regional park space. Based on the location of Schertz to the San Antonio Metropolitan area and other regional parks in the region, the acquisition of additional space to support another “regional park” space within the city might not be warranted. Better utilization of real estate might be realized through the addition of additional “community parks”. Regional Parks Level of Service (Existing) • Recommended level of service – 5 to 10 acres per every 1,000 residents City Parks • Current acres – 175 acres • Current Level of Service – 5.54 acres per 1,000 population or one acre for every 180 residents • % of Recommended Level of Service - 55% to 111% Regional Parks (Surplus or Deficit) • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 158 to 316 acres, a surplus of 17 acres to a deficit of 141 acres • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 223 to 445 acres, a deficit of 48 to 270 acres • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population – target of 287 to 573 acres, a deficit of 112 to 398 acres • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 351 to 702 acres, a deficit of 176 acres to 527 acres Key Issues – None at this time • Level of Need – Low need for additional Regional Parks at this time. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.15 Figure 6.6 - Regional Park map – (Crescent Bend – 10 mile service radius) Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.16 Linear Parks Schertz has one area designated as a “linear park”. Cut-Off Park (47.28 Acres) is a linear park, based on its location along the Cibolo Creek and limitations that exist for the addition of typical park amenities. Additional linear park space could be developed along Dietz Creek and a few other drainage or greenbelt areas in the city. Opportunities for linear parks exist along creeks, drainage corridors, utility corridors and right-of-ways that traverse the city. Linear parks can connect parks and key areas of the city such as schools, and are relatively inexpensive to develop. The city could benefit from linear parks if they are associated with creeks and can fulfill the purpose of flood protection and open space / habitat preservation as well as provide opportunities for trail connectivity. • Level of Need – High need to develop specific locations of linear parks along drainage areas to improve connectivity. Pocket Parks Pocket parks are generally smaller parks located in a neighborhood with limited amenities. Lone Oak Park, owned by the city, and both Elm Park and Willow Park in the Jonas Woods subdivision are the only three pocket parks. No additional pocket parks are needed at this time. • Level of Need – Low need for to develop additional pocket parks at this time. Special Purpose Parks Special purpose parks are areas of a specified activity. Based on these criteria, Schertz will have three parks totaling 3.01 acres, designated as special purpose parks. The parks include the Schertz Dog Park, The Schertz Skate Complex and the Veteran Plaza. All three are currently in various stage of development or construction. • Level of Need – Low need to develop additional special purpose parks at this time. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.17 Summary of Park Needs Park Type Level of Need Neighborhood Parks Low need for additional neighborhood parks Community Parks High need for additional community park space in north and south sectors Regional Parks Low need for additional regional park space Linear Parks High need to develop specific locations of linear parks along drainage areas to improve connectivity Pocket Parks Low need to develop additional pocket parks at this time Special Purpose Parks Low need to develop additional special purpose parks at this time Table 6.3 – Park Land Needs Summary City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.18 Park Facility Needs Assessment Facility levels of service define the number of facilities recommended to serve each particular type of recreation. They are expressed as the usage capacity served by each recreational unit. The target levels of service shown on the following pages are based on the actual number of facilities in Schertz and the amount of use each facility receives. Facilities Target Level of Service The following pages have a description of the 2014 target level of service for each recreational facility. A specific review of each major type of outdoor facility, key needs and key issues associated with each type of facility follows. Facility needs are based both on ratios related to existing population, as well as the amount of demand for each type of facility based on user information where available. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.19 Baseball & Softball Fields Baseball & Softball Fields Level of Service Recommended level of service – 1 fields per every 3,000 residents Current Facilities • Total: 12 (City - 12, HOA – 0, School – 0) • 5 Softball Fields / 7 Baseball Fields • Current Level of Service – 1 field per 2,630 residents. • % of Recommended Level of Service - 114% Baseball Fields (Surplus or Deficit) • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 11 fields, 114% of recommended level of service, a surplus of 1 field. • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 15 fields, 81% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 3 fields. • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population – target of 19 fields, 63% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 7 fields. • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 23 fields, 51% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 11 fields. Key Issues – High utilization by Schertz area youth programs: all fields located in one location; need to expand footprint. • Current Level of Need – Low, current number of fields are sufficient. • Future Level of Need – Medium, future fields need to be dispersed to provide better service coverage to the city (lack of fields in North and South Schertz sectors). City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.20 Figure 6.7 – Baseball & Softball Field Locations Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.21 Baseball / Softball Practice Fields Baseball & Softball Practice Fields Level of Service • Recommended level of service – 1 practice field per every 4,500 residents Current Facilities • Total: 2 (City - 0, HOA – 1, School – 1) • Current Level of Service – 1 field per 15,780 residents. • % of Recommended Level of Service - 29% Baseball & Softball Practice Fields (Surplus or Deficit) • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 7 fields, 29% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 5 fields. • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 10 fields, 20% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 8 fields. • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population – target of 13 fields, 16% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 11 fields. • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 16 fields, 13% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 14 fields. Key Issues – High utilization by Schertz area youth programs; shortage of dedicated practice locations puts excessive utilization on competition fields which require higher levels of maintenance. • Current Level of Need – High, due to insufficient number of fields to support current activities • Future Level of Need - High City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.22 Figure 6.8 - Baseball / Softball Practice Field Locations Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.23 Soccer Fields Soccer Fields Level of Service • Recommended level of service – 1 field per every 3,500 residents Current Facilities • Total: 12 (City - 12, HOA – 0, School – 0) • Current Level of Service – 1 field per 2,630 residents. • % of Recommended Level of Service - 133% Soccer Fields (Surplus or Deficit) • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 9 fields, 133% of recommended level of service, a surplus of 3 fields. • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 13 fields, 94% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 1 field. • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population – target of 16 fields, 73% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 4 fields. • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 20 fields, 60% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 8 fields. Key Issues – High utilization by Schertz area youth programs; all fields located in one location; need to expand footprint. • Current Level of Need – Low, sufficient soccer fields exist within the city to support current and near term youth soccer programs. • Future Level of Need – Medium, future soccer field development should be considered in other parts of the city, as all current fields are located in the central sector. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.24 Figure 6.9 - Soccer Field Locations Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.25 Football Fields Football Fields Level of Service • Recommended level of service – 1 field per every 8,000 residents Current Facilities • Total: 3 (City - 0, HOA – 0, School – 3) • Current Level of Service – 1 field per 10,520 residents. • % of Recommended Level of Service - 76% Football Fields (Surplus or Deficit) • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 4 fields, 76% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 1 field • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 6 fields, 54% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 3 fields • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population – target of 7 fields, 42% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 4 fields • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 9 fields, 34% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 6 fields Key Issues – Current fields support SCUC ISD with limited access to other programs. • Current Level of Need – Medium, no dedicated football field for youth football programs • Future Level of Need - Medium City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.26 Figure 6.10 - Football Field Locations Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.27 Soccer & Football Practice Fields Soccer & Football Practice Fields Level of Service • Recommended level of service – 1 field per every 4,500 residents Current Facilities • Total: 4 (City - 1, HOA – 0, School – 3) • Current Level of Service – 1 field per 7,890 residents. • % of Recommended Level of Service - 57% Soccer & Football Practice Fields (Surplus or Deficit) • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 7 fields, 57% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 3 fields. • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 10 fields, 40% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 6 fields. • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population – target of 13 fields, 31% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 9 fields. • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 16 fields, 26% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 16 fields. Key Issues – High utilization by Schertz area youth programs, shortage of practice locations puts excessive utilization on competition fields and requires youth teams to practice in areas that are not designated, or have inadequate facilities for sports activities. • Current Level of Need – High, need to designate and develop practice areas for youth football and soccer to reduce demand on high maintenance game fields. Insufficient number of dedicated practice fields to support current activities. • Future Level of Need - High City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.28 Figure 6.11 - Soccer & Football Practice Field Locations Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.29 Basketball Courts Basketball Courts Level of Service • Recommended level of service – 1 court per every 5,000 residents Current Facilities • Total: 7 (City - 4, HOA - 1, School - 2) • Current Level of Service - 1 court per 4,509 residents. • % of Recommended Level of Service - 111% Basketball Courts (Surplus or Deficit) • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 6 courts, 111% of recommended level of service, a surplus of 1 court. • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 9 courts, 79% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 2 courts. • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population – target of 11 courts, 61% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 4 courts. • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 14 courts, 50% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 7 courts. Key Issues – Limited availability; utilization of HOA facilities are limited to HOA residents; several additional SCUC ISD courts are generally not available for public use. Some existing city outdoor courts are in need of repair. • Current Level of Need – Medium, several outdoor basketball courts are in need of repair. Numerous locations have basketball goals, but are not designed as actual basketball courts and cannot support the potential for adult or youth league play. • Future Level of Need - Medium City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.30 Figure 6.12 – Outdoor Basketball Court Locations Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.31 Tennis Courts Tennis Courts Level of Service (Existing) • Recommended level of service – 1 court per every 3,500 residents Current Facilities • Total: 18 (City - 0, HOA - 4, School - 14) • Current Level of Service - 1 court per 1,753 residents. • % of Recommended Level of Service - 200% Tennis Courts (Surplus or Deficit) • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 9 courts, 200 of recommended level of service, a surplus of 9 courts. • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 13 courts, 142% of recommended level of service, a surplus of 5 courts. • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population – target of 16 courts, 110% of recommended level of service, a surplus of 2 courts. • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 20 courts, 90% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 2 courts. Key Issues – Only SCUC ISD courts are public accessible; utilization of HOA facilities are limited to HOA residents; SCUC ISD has an additional 4 courts that are unserviceable at this time. • Current Level of Need – Low, sufficient tennis courts exist and are available for use. • Future Level of Need - Low City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.32 Figure 6.13 - Tennis Court Locations Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.33 Volleyball Courts Volleyball Courts Level of Service (Existing) • Recommended level of service – 1 court per every 10,000 residents Current Facilities • Total: 1 (City - 0, HOA - 1, School - 0) • Current Level of Service - 1 court per 31,560 residents. • % of Recommended Level of Service - 32% Volleyball Courts (Surplus or Deficit) • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 3 courts, 32% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 2 courts. • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 4 courts, 22% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 3 courts. • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population – target of 6 courts, 17 of recommended level of service, a deficit of 5 courts. • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 7 courts, 14% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 6 courts. Key Issues – Limited availability; utilization of HOA facilities are limited to HOA residents; of all sports activities, volleyball courts are the least expensive to install and maintain. • Current Level of Need – High, insufficient volleyball courts exist within the parks system. Single developed court is for HOA utilization only. • Future Level of Need - High City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.34 Figure 6.14 - Volleyball Court Locations Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.35 Rental Pavilions & Picnic Areas Rental Pavilions Level of Service (Existing) • Recommended level of service – 1 rental pavilion per every 7,500 residents Current Facilities • Total: 4 (City - 4, HOA - 0, School - 0) • Current Level of Service - 1 court per 7,890 residents. • % of Recommended Level of Service - 95% Rental Pavilions (Surplus or Deficit) • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 4 pavilions, 95% of recommended level of service, standard met. • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 6 pavilions, 67% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 2 pavilions. • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population – target of 8 pavilions, 52% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 4 pavilions. • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 9 pavilions, 43% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 5 pavilions. Key Issues – Limited facilities; all rental facilities are located in central Schertz with no available facilities in north or south Schertz. • Current Level of Need – Low, however current number of rental pavilions are frequently in use and are all located in the central sector • Future Level of Need – Medium, need to explore requirement for additional rental pavilion opportunities in other portions of the city. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.36 Figure 6.15 - Rental Pavilion Locations Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.37 Playscapes Playscapes Level of Service • Recommended level of service – 1 playscape per every 1,000 residents Current Facilities • Total: 36 (City - 19, HOA - 11, School - 6) • Current Level of Service - 1 playscape per 877 residents. • % of Recommended Level of Service - 114% Playscapes (Surplus or Deficit) • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 32 playscapes, 114% of recommended level of service, a surplus of 4 playscapes • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 45 playscapes, 81% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 9 playscapes • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population – target of 57 playscapes, 63% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 21 playscapes • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 70 playscapes, 51% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 34 playscapes Key Issues – Limited availability; utilization of HOA facilities are limited to HOA residents; most SCUC ISD areas are not available for public use; location of existing equipment, coupled with HOA and SCUC ISD limitations creates significant gaps in service areas. • Current Level of Need – Low need for playscapes in general • Future Level of Need – High need for playscapes in specific areas to reduce gaps in service and achieve desired 1/2 mile service radius goal The following maps show the location of existing playscapes in Schertz. City playscapes and available SCUC ISD playscapes are shown with a ½ mile service area radius. HOAs are represented by the actual HOA boundary. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.38 Figure 6.16 - Playscape Service Coverage Areas (City Wide) Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.39 Figure 6.17 - Playscape Service Coverage Areas – North Schertz Detail Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.40 Figure 6.18 - Playscape Service Coverage Areas – Central Schertz Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.41 Figure 6.19 - Playscape Service Coverage Areas – South Schertz Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.42 Swimming Pools Swimming Pools Level of Service (Existing) • Recommended level of service – 3-5 Square Yards of Pool Surface per 1.5% of City Population City Pools • Current – 968 Sq. Yds. • Current Level of Service – 2.04 Sq. Yds. per 1.5% of current population • % of Recommended Level of Service (City Pools Only) - 41% to 68% All Pools (City, HOA and Apartment Complexes) • Current – 3838 Sq. Yds. • Current Level of Service – 8.11 Sq. Yds. per 1.5% of current population • % of Recommended Level of Service (All pools) - 162% to 270% These numbers DO NOT include the proposed Natatorium Project. Due to the large number of HOA and apartment pools located in the city, which decrease the demand for city owned pools, it is recommended that all pools be used for planning purposes. Pools Parks (Surplus or Deficit) – Based on all City, HOA and Apartment Pool Facilities • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 1,420 to 2,367 square yards, a surplus of 1,471 square yards to a surplus of 2,418 square yards • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 2,003 to 3,338 square yards, a surplus of 500 square yards to a surplus of 1,835 square yards • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population - target of 2,580 to 4,300 square yards, a surplus of 1,258 square yards to a deficit of 462 square yards • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 3,157 to 5,262 square yards, a surplus of 681 square yards to a deficit of 1,424 square yards Key Issues – Sufficient swimming opportunities currently exist in the City of Schertz when considering ALL facilities designed for communal use (city, HOA and Multi Family Use, such as apartment complexes). All foreseeable shortages at this time will more than likely be addressed through the addition of the City Natatorium and the addition of HOA pools in new developments. In general terms, the swimming pool needs of the city can probably be achieved with 2 outdoor pools and 1 indoor pool, however, the addition of a city community pool in south Schertz might be warranted in the future, depending on growth and development in that area to improve service areas. • Current Level of Need – Low need for adding additional pools at this time. • Future Level of Need – Medium need for revitalizing existing outdoor pools to improve utilization and possibly to support growth in the southern sector. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.43 Figure 6.20 - Swimming Pool Types and Locations Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.44 Splash Pads Splash Pad Level of Service (Existing) • Recommended level of service – 1 splash pad per every 25,000 residents Current Facilities • Total: 1 (City - 1, HOA – 0, School – 0) • Current Level of Service – 1 splash pad per 31,560 residents. • % of Recommended Level of Service - 79% Splash Pads (Surplus or Deficit) • Current 2014 need with 31,560 population – target of 1 splash pad, 79% of recommended level of service, standard met. • Year 2020 need with 44,505 population – target of 2 splash pads, 56% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 1 splash pad. • Year 2030 need with 57, 330 population – target of 2 splash pads, 44% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 1 splash pad. • Year 2040 need with 70,155 population – target of 3 splash pads, 36% of recommended level of service, a deficit of 2 splash pads. Key Issues – Single splash pad located in central Schertz; limited support for northern and southern sectors; addition of splash pads at existing outdoor pool locations could be cost beneficial in leveraging existing infrastructure for support, revitalizing these facilities & increasing attendance and utilization. • Current Level of Need – Low • Future Level of Need – Medium, future splash pad development should be considered in other parts of the city, as only existing facility is in the central sector. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.45 Other Facilities The following areas are presented for consideration. Although no specific standards exist, they are presented for general review and information purposes only. Indoor Gymnasiums • Current Number of Facilities: There are 2 indoor gymnasiums in Schertz. One is located in the city Recreation Center operated by the YMCA and the second is located in the Schertz Community Center. • Target Level of Service: No specific standard The Recreation Center gymnasium is not available to the public without a YMCA membership. The Community Center gymnasium is not available to the public unless rented. Several gymnasiums are located on SCUC ISD school property, but are typically limited to school utilization. There are no gymnasiums available for open public or league use in the city. Key Issues – There currently is no partnership with SCUC ISD for the use of the school gyms by leagues and the public when school is not in session and on the weekends. Current Level of Need – High in developing a plan to better utilize the two existing city indoor gyms for league play and increasing the partnership with SCUC ISD for use of some school gyms when school is not in session, weekends, etc. Rental Facilities • Current Number of Facilities: Three facilities are available for rent from the City of Schertz. These include the Civic Center, The Community Center and the North Center. • Target Level of Service: No specific standard Key Issues – Several private facilities are available in the city, such as the VFW; however, no facilities exist in south Schertz Current Level of Need – Low for need for additional rental facilities. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.46 Special Event Facilities (Outdoor amphitheater, festival gardens) • Current Number of Facilities: None • Target Level of Service: No specific standard The City of Schertz does not have a dedicated venue for large outdoor events. Currently Pickrell Park is used for large events, including the 4th of July Jubilee and SchertzFest. Recently, the annual Festival of Angels event was relocated from Pickrell Park to the area adjacent to the Civic Center in central Schertz. Key Issues – As Schertz grows, Pickrell Park may not be able to continue as the location for the larger events and festivals due to limited parking and access. Current Level of Need – High for a large performance and/or festival area. Golf Courses • Current Number of Courses: 2 courses, with a total of 36 holes available Northcliffe Golf Course (located in Schertz) Olympia Hills Golf Course (Located in Selma) • Target Level of Service: No specific standard Key Issues – None. Current Level of Need – Low, evaluate usage of area courses. Focus should be on private sector providing additional holes of golf as market demands. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.47 Trails & Connecting Paths • Current Miles of Trails & Paths: 14.77 miles • Current Level of Service: 1 mile for every 2,137 residents • Target Level of Service: 1 mile per 2,500 residents Current 2010 Need for 31,560 pop. – 13 miles Year 2020 Need for 44,505 pop. – 18 miles Year 2030 Need for 57,330 pop. – 23 miles Year 2040 Need for 70,155 pop. – 28 miles Key Issues – Trails have continually been one of the most supported recreation features in Schertz. Creating a citywide system of connecting trails and paths has been a top priority and goal for city planning and development. Continued emphasis should be on trails along linear parks that link areas of the city and connect key city facilities and recreational areas. Efforts should be made to better utilize portions of the Cibolo and Dietz Creek areas where possible. Figure 6.21 - Cibolo Creek Current Level of Need – High – The city has a substantial amount of trails and areas that could support trail development, however connectivity remains an issue. Trail development along linear greenbelts, creeks and utility easements should be one of the major priorities for connectivity of existing pathways and to provide connectivity and better access to existing facilities. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.48 Figure 6.22 – Trails & Paths Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.49 Figure 6.23 – Trails & Paths, North Schertz Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.50 Figure 6.24 – Trails & Paths, Central Schertz Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.51 Figure 6.25 – Trails & Paths, South Schertz Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.52 Figure 6.26 – Trails & Paths, Crescent Bend Nature Park – Detail Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.53 Figure 6.27 – Trails & Paths, Cut Off Park & Cibolo Creek – Detail Map Data ©2013 Google City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.54 On-Going Planning and Development Efforts in Schertz Current Parks and Recreation Projects The City of Schertz has several Parks and Recreation projects either underway or under planning, including the following: Renovation of the Schertz Ball Park, expanding the complex from 4 fields to 7. This project is currently under construction. Renovation of the Schertz Soccer Complex. This project involves renovation of existing fields, paved parking areas and the addition of restroom and concession facilities. The project is currently under construction. Construction of a city dog park. This project is currently in design. Construction of a city skate park. Phase one of this project is currently under construction. Construction of a natatorium. This project is currently in design. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.55 On Going Community Development Construction of the Crossvine, a master-planned community that will include recreational features. Construction of several other communities, such as The Parklands and Rhine Valley that will include a mixture of HOA and city-owned park features. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 6.56 This page intentionally left blank Diversity Accommodation Conservation Opportunity Connectivity Chapter Contents: - Gap Summary - Current Parks & Recreation Level of Needs - Planning Principles - Goals, Objectives & Specific Actions -Recommended Plan Actions Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! City of Schertz Chapter 7 Goals & Objectives City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.2 Gap Summary After reviewing the chapters on the current state of parks and recreation, citizen input and the desired state for our parks system, this chapter provides a summary and identifies the gaps in our parks and recreation system. Identified “gaps” should lead to actions established by the Parks Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation staff and City Leadership, to address these issues and work towards achieving the desired Parks and Recreation Program for the city. Planning and Budgeting Immediate action should be taken to reevaluate the Parks and Recreation planning and budgeting process. Several dedicated parks sites exist with no current plan for their development. Additionally, several developed parks have lingering maintenance and repair issues that exceed the capability and funding of the Parks and Recreation department. Specific efforts should be taken in order to address deferred maintenance concerns. On the survey, only 8% rated the physical condition of the city parks as “excellent”. Fifty-one percent rated the condition of the parks as “good”, but the remaining 49% had an unfavorable impression or no opinion. Park Acreage With the recent and anticipated future population growth, it is advisable that the identification and acquisition of parkland be considered a top priority. If the City is to remain competitive with surrounding municipalities, enhance its attractiveness as a place to live, be a suitable place for new development and redevelopment and provide adequate parks and recreational facilities, programs, and services, the City will need to acquire new parkland in a deliberate and well planned manner. As the city grows, attention must be paid to the nature and location of this growth as it will dictate the necessity to provide an increasing number of acres of land specifically dedicated for parks and recreational use. Proper planning should be exercised to ensure that not only the right amount of space or facilities are added, but that their locations will provide adequate service coverage and access for all residents. When assessing overall park space, the city currently has sufficient acreage; however, distribution of parkland across the community is a concern, with all current community parks being located in the central portion of the city. The acquisition of additional land to support community level activities should be a priority for the north and south sectors of the city. Sixty-seven percent of survey respondents felt the City should acquire additional parklands. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.3 The shortage of community park space is the largest concern, with a current deficit of 76 to 176 acres, which could grow to a shortage of 269 to 479 acres by 2040 without adequate planning and action. The shortage of community parks acreage appears to also contribute to the shortage of adequate sports practice areas and the resulting imbalance between practice and competition fields. Connectivity While the hike and bike network has historically been associated with the City’s parks and open space plan, it should also be treated as infrastructure. As such it should be planned for and constructed in the same manner as those other public improvements. The City should develop a separate “Schertz Hike and Bike Plan” to create an integrated transportation network and facilitate walking and biking as a viable transportation alternative throughout the City. The plan should reflect the City’s commitment to provide safe, efficient, and accessible hike and bike trails as part of our transportation network along with streets and sidewalks, and support the curb-to-curb service currently being provided by the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) in Schertz. Partnerships and Effective Utilization of Existing Resources School resources, such as playgrounds, sports fields and courts provide additional park and recreation areas. If these areas are accessible to the public, they will enhance the number and availability of neighborhood parks within the community. Although some SCUCISD facilities provide public access, overall access to school facilities is extremely limited within the City. Further consideration should be given to a more effective partnership with SCUCISD to share facilities whenever possible. Through a joint partnership with SCUCISD, opportunities exist to utilize property owned by the school district. Use of school playgrounds increases the number and distribution of neighborhood parks and recreation areas throughout the community. Reciprocal agreements could address joint purchase and the use and maintenance of school grounds and equipment, which may be mutually beneficial to the school district and the City. Sharing of facilities will significantly eliminate numerous gaps in current recreation service areas, reduce duplication of efforts and result in significant cost saving for both the SCUCISD and City of Schertz. Data from the online survey indicated that approximately 70% of the respondents felt that school facilities should be made more available to the public during non-school time periods. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.4 Facility Gaps The largest facility gaps were identified in the shortage of baseball and soccer practice fields. The lack of dedicated practice areas continues to put excess strain on “quality” fields, limiting their potential utilization for tournament play and increasing their maintenance costs. The shortage of practice fields is directly related to the shortage of land utilized as community parks, which could support additional sports practice areas. Minor facility gaps were identified with regard to providing a “diverse” selection of activities to the public. Some facility gaps, such as outdoor basketball could be addressed through more effective partnering with outside agencies like SCUC ISD. Others, like locations for volleyball, horseshoes, etc., are relatively low cost and could be addressed annually under the planning and budgeting process. Public Input Survey respondents expressed the highest interest in participating in hiking, biking, fitness and health/wellness activities on the survey, with each activity scoring over 80%. When asked what athletics facilities were most needed, respondents indicated running tracks, followed by basketball, tennis and volleyball courts and practice fields. These facilities correlate to the shortages identified when assessing current facilities available to the public versus anticipated services that should be provided. When asked what recreational facilities were most needed, respondents indicated hiking and biking trails, followed by natural and open spaces and an indoor pool, these activities generally correlate to the shortages identified in the gap analysis with the exception of the indoor pool. Although the city has numerous hiking and biking opportunities, the lack of connectivity between locations is the primary concern to be addressed. The general shortage of community park acreage and lack of community parks in the north and south sectors would appear to be driving the perceived need for additional natural and open spaces. The need for the indoor pool will be achieved upon completion of the natatorium project. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.5 Current Parks & Recreation Level of Needs The analysis for the desired state of Parks and Recreation in Chapter 6 utilized the 2010 census data as a baseline and was projected out to 2040 in 10 year increments. The following table summarizes the level of need for those sections by the first milestone time period, CY 2020. Areas that were projected to exceed 80% of service needs by 2020 were identified as a Low Need; areas projected to meet 50% to 80% of service needs by 2020 were identified as a Medium Need and areas projected as meeting less than 50% of the projected service needs by 2020 were identified as a High Need. Facility Existing Amount 2020 Need 2020 Percentage of Service Level of Need Parks Neighborhood Parks (acres) 106.94 45 240.00% Low Community Parks (acres) 82 223 37.00% High Regional Parks (acres) 175 223 79.00% Medium Amenities Baseball & Softball Fields 12 15 81.00% Low Baseball & Softball Practice Fields 2 10 20.00% High Soccer Fields 12 13 94.00% Low Football Fields 3 6 54.00% Medium Soccer/Football Practice Fields 4 10 40.00% High Basketball Courts 7 9 79.00% Medium Tennis Courts 18 13 142.00% Low Volleyball Courts 1 4 22.00% High Rental Pavilions 4 6 67.00% Medium Playscapes 36 45 81.00% Low Swimming Pools (Sq Yds) 3838 2,003 115.00% Low Splash Pads 1 2 56.00% Medium Trails Trails & Connecting Paths (miles) 14.77 15 100.00% Low Table 7.1 – Summary of Needs (Note: For park acreage and swimming surface, the 2020 needs were based on the lowest range of the recommended standard) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.6 Parks and Recreation Planning Principles The Schertz Comprehensive Land Plan has been used as the foundation for this plan and establishes the baseline for future decisions. The Parks Master Plan recommendations contained in this section summarize the findings of the Needs Assessment and present a series of actions designed to improve and expand our park system. As referenced in the Schertz Comprehensive Land Plan, the City has established a desire to provide a parks system that provides an “opportunity for a range of activities for both residents and visitors.” Furthermore, the City has recognized that the parks system must be continuously evaluated to address “future needs to accommodate the projected future population.” There are common parks and recreation planning principles that ensure a balanced emphasis on the public and private sectors; indoor and outdoor opportunities; and the integration of space, services, and facilities. These principles include that: All people should have equal access to recreational areas, activities, services, and facilities regardless of personal interest, age, gender, income, cultural background, housing environment, or handicap; they need to appeal to the young and old and have active and passive activities and they should be well distributed, so that all residents eventually have ready access to outdoor and indoor facilities; Public recreation should be highly coordinated among public institutions and private entities to avoid duplication and encourage cooperation; Partnerships should be encouraged between Schertz and other government, educational, non-profit, private and semiprivate entities with the goal of benefiting both parties and should promote a more efficient use of tax payer funding; The following planning principles from the Parks and Recreation Schertz Comprehensive Land Plan have guided our parks planning development to this date and are still relevant today! As the city continues to grow and we strive to provide quality parks and recreational activities for our residents…we have suggested the following updates indicated in bold to carry us into the next decade. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.7 Public recreation should incorporate public services such as education, health and fitness, transportation, and leisure; Facilities should be well planned and coordinated to ensure adequate adaptability to future needs and requirements; The availability of financial resources should be considered in all phases of planning, acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of spaces and facilities; Consider developing projects in stages, build in flexibility for expansion and the possibility of converting them into other types of recreation uses in the future. Public participation is critical to the eventual success of the parks and recreation system and should, therefore, be included in all stages of the process; The process should offer continuous opportunities for incremental evaluation and review; other existing plans that affect the area should be integrated into the final recommendations and ultimately in implementation; There should be established procedures for acquiring land for future parks and recreation areas and facilities prior to development; pay particular attention to connectivity. As much as is feasible, parks should be linked to the neighborhoods around them and to other parks in the City. The Cibolo and Dietz creeks, as well as thoroughfares in the city, such as the FM 3009 and FM 78 corridors and the Schertz Parkway, should be used to reinforce the idea of connectivity The design of spaces and facilities should encourage the most efficient utilization of land and consider the needs, desires, and opinions of the intended users; Design every park so that it contributes greatly to the value and success of that neighborhood. Parks should be visible, look attractive and be inviting. Passive undesignated green and open space is as important as active park land – the preservation of green “natural” park areas in the city, either as a part of a larger park, or as the entirety of the park, is as important as the development of active parks. Schertz must preserve green areas to serve as buffers between developed portions of the City. Facilities for indoor recreation are just as important as outdoor recreation features. As the city grows, places for recreation programs, classes, and indoor sports such as basketball and volleyball should be provided. All parks in the city should be designed to be as self-sustaining; designed with water efficient automatic irrigation systems, utilize plants and turf with low watering requirements and maintenance requirements and employ energy efficient equipment; City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.8 Develop our identity - all parks should be readily recognized as part of an overall system. Parks on the north side of the city should be compatible with parks in the center and south sectors of the city, even though the terrain and natural features may be different; every park should reflect the heritage of Schertz. Installed amenities such as signs, benches and other structures should all have a unique character that ties the park back to the city; and, Factor in Safety! – features that promote user safety, such as lighting, visual monitoring or the ability to summon aid via emergency call boxes should be considered and employed where practical. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.9 Goals, Objectives and Specific Actions The following goals, objectives and actions were formulated through the plan development process and through the involvement and input of Schertz’s residents and community leaders. This listing is an update to the original Comprehensive Land Use Plan information and is a based on the current status and needs of the city’s parks and recreation system. Goal 1: Provide a diverse blend of parks, recreation and open space areas to accommodate the current and future needs of Schertz’s residents. • Objective A: Provide, maintain and enhance existing parks and recreation facilities. Action 1: Hire a Parks Director and create a Parks and Recreation Department that would be responsible for maintaining and enhancing parks and recreation facilities in the City. (Completed) Action 2: Provide adequate funding for Parks maintenance in the annual budget. (On-Going) Action 3: Hire a Recreation Manager to plan, develop and promote city recreation activities and events and serve as the coordinator between our recreation partners, such as BVYA, SYSA and SCUC ISD, (Recommended Addition) • Objective B: Acquire and provide adequate parks, recreation and open space opportunities for all persons. Action 1: Update the City of Schertz’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan to assess specific areas of need in terms of parks, recreation and open space areas as well as future needs for park improvements and recreation facilities. (On-Going) Recommended Addition: Update plan on a 5-year basis Action 2: Acquire land to develop mini/pocket parks, neighborhood parks and linear linkages as needed to serve the needs of all citizens. (On-Going) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.10 Action 3: Acquire land along creek corridors to minimize adverse development impacts in adjacent areas. This may include developing a “land bank” strategy where owners of flood-prone properties are encouraged to deed their land to the bank to ensure long-term conservation. (On-Going) Action 4: Involve citizens in the planning and design of parks and recreation areas and facilities to meet specific needs and desires and ensure equal accommodation of all persons. (On-Going) Action 5: Partner with adjacent municipalities, stakeholders and quasi-governmental entities including Universal City, Cibolo, Selma, Randolph Air Force Base, and Guadalupe and Bexar County Flood Control Districts to devise, fund, and create a series of linear parks to serve as linkages between nearby municipal parks and to provide enhanced recreational opportunities. (On- Going) • Objective C: Use AICUZ areas for a series of parks and recreational uses, or as a major regional recreational area. Action 1: Acquire, lease or enter into joint agreements for the use of land as a regional park facility, or reservoir for surface water retention and flood control purposes. (On-Going) Action 2: Develop a regional recreational facility including open space, regional events and activities, or special uses. (On-Going) • Objective D: Make provisions for the use of other areas for recreational uses or parkland. Action 1: Acquire, lease or enter into joint agreements for the use of lands within parkland acquisition areas or along or adjacent to Cibolo Creek, including FEMA buy-out areas. (On-Going) Action 2: Acquire, utilize, and incorporate areas with physical development constraints, and conserve and protect valued environmental, historical, and cultural resources. (On-Going) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.11 • Objective E: Provide a geographic distribution of parks and recreation facilities that will provide equal opportunity and access for all residents. Action 1: Based on NRPA park standards, work toward the development of additional neighborhood parks to provide an even distribution throughout the City. Revise to Read: Formalize a process to develop and publish park standards for the city based upon our unique needs and working towards the standard of providing adequate parks and recreations facilities with an even distribution throughout the City and participate in the NRPA PRORAGIS system, in order to effectively compare and validate parks and recreation planning and development actions. Action 2: Acquire excess right-of-way, vacated alleys and easements, areas beneath overhead power lines, irregularly shaped parcels and other non-developable parcels for utilization as mini/pocket parks and/or public open space. (On-Going) Action 3: Acquire and develop linear linkages to connect each of the mini/pocket parks, neighborhood parks, community parks, and public open spaces to provide a safe and convenient route from neighborhoods, schools and parks. (On-Going) Action 4: Identify the amount of acreage of parks, recreation and open space needed to support the projected population of future growth areas utilizing local development standards. (On- Going) Action 5: Develop a partnership with the San Antonio – Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to assess and improve the City’s Master Trails and Connectivity Plan; consider asking for an analysis by the MPO of our existing bicycle and walking trails. (Recommended addition) Objective F: Establish cooperative agreements with other governmental jurisdictions and educational bodies. Action 1: Establish a joint agreement with SCUCISD to form a partnership regarding acquisition, development, use and maintenance of public parks, recreation areas, buildings and facilities. (On-Going) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.12 Action 2: Establish partnerships with Randolph Air Force Base, SCUCISD and the municipalities of Universal City, Selma and Cibolo for greater utilization of existing recreation facilities. (On- Going) Establish a partnership with SCUC ISD to develop a multi-purpose recreation facility. (Completed) Objective G: Encourage private sector participation in the provision of parks and recreation opportunities. Action 1: Utilize partnerships, wherever appropriate, to help develop, manage and maintain parks and recreation facilities. (On-Going) Action 2: Provide incentives or develop provisions such as a Planned Development (PD) to encourage development of parks and recreation areas and preserve the natural environment in exchange for increased development density. (On-Going) Action 3: Reassess the requirements for parkland dedication or fee-in-lieu of dedication in the City’s Unified Development Code. (On-Going) Goal 2: Encourage the conservation of natural resources through acquisition of parks and recreation areas, preservation of open space, and environmentally sensitive planning. Objective A: Encourage the conservation of environmentally sensitive areas, such as floodplains, wetlands, wildlife habitats, and areas with difficult topography or severe soil limitations, through development incentives, regulations and policies adopted by the City. Action 1: Identify environmentally sensitive areas and conservation sites to acquire and preserve as open space or recreation areas including areas along the Dietz, Cibolo, Woman Hollering, and Saltillo Creeks, and FEMA buy- out areas. (On- Going) Action 2: Utilize State and Federal agency data to formulate a database and composite map of candidate conservation sites. (On- Going) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.13 Action 3: When possible, acquire priority conservation areas through fee simple acquisitions or conservation easements. (On- Going) Objective B: Encourage the preservation of open space to enhance the livability, aesthetic quality, and natural beauty of Schertz. Action 1: Utilize development incentives to encourage developers to preserve and dedicate open space easement adjacent to arterial street right-of-way and adjacent to incompatible land uses. (On-Going) Action 2: Enforce, or strengthen existing ordinances that require new residential development to provide neighborhood parks. (On- Going) Action 3: Provide for ongoing, long-term maintenance of privately developed lands and areas. (On-Going) Objective C: Utilize natural waterways to provide water-oriented recreation opportunities within the community. Action 1: Continue to provide parks and recreation opportunities oriented around Cibolo Creek. (On-Going) Action 2: Continue to improve public access to Cibolo Creek through recreation easements, pathways and piers. (On-Going) Action 3: Continue to acquire and preserve land along the creek corridors through the continued development of parks and greenbelts. (On-Going) Objective D: Develop a network of pedestrian and bicycle ways throughout Schertz and neighbors, including an interconnected system of multi-purpose paths, trails and lanes. Action 1: Identify potential greenbelt corridors, bicycle and pedestrian trails and routes, and linear parks that provide a safe connection between parks, schools, neighborhoods and major open spaces. (On-Going) Action 2: Identify minor arterial collector and local residential streets that are suitable for bicycle traffic, such as Schertz Parkway. (On-Going) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.14 Action 3: Identify right-of-way, easements, natural drainage ways, rivers, streams and creeks that are suitable for hike and bike trails, such as Cibolo Creek and Bubbling Springs Road. (On- Going) Action 4: Utilize trail segments to link major destinations such as parks, schools, public buildings, facilities and major employers. (On-Going) Action 5: Utilize conservation areas along Cibolo Creek and other creek beds and waterways as greenbelt corridors. (On-Going) Action 6: Establish and acquire trail right-of-way and easements at an early stage of community development. (On-Going) Action 7: Develop an annotated trail connecting recreational facilities, parks, historic cemeteries, and landmarks that are of historic, cultural or environmental significance. (On-Going) Action 8: Prepare a comprehensive bicycle/trail master plan that will define the routing, linkages and design standards for all trails. (On-Going) Goal 3: Encourage and promote a variety of recreational opportunities including cultural activities, community activities and special events to enhance recreation and education opportunities for residents and tourists. Objective A: Maintain, secure and manage existing and future parks and open space in a manner that encourages appropriate use. Action 1: Ensure that Schertz’s park facilities are safe and accessible for all users. (On-Going) Action 2: Upgrade or restore existing City parks that are in need of repair. (On-Going) Action 3: Allocate funding for adequate maintenance of existing and new parkland and recreational facilities. (On-Going) Action 4: Annually submit grant applications to respective entities or organizations as funding sources. (On-Going) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.15 Objective B: Provide recreation opportunities that meet the passive, active, social and cultural needs of all residents and tourists. Action 1: Encourage the private development of recreational activities such as a bowling alley, skating rink, skate boarding and roller blading, movie theater, outdoor amphitheater and an indoor sports facility. (On-Going) Action 2: Work with the Schertz Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Commission, and other civic and neighborhood groups to assist and promote the organization of annual community activities such as sports tournaments, festivals, outdoor concerts, fairs and other special events. (On-Going) Action 3: Provide public recreation facilities and programs that promote tourism and cultural activities such as interpretive historic signage and trails. (On-Going) Action 4: Develop recreational programs and facilities based on a needs assessment conducted by the City of Schertz. (On-Going) Action 5: Develop a policy to include environmental and outdoor art in parks and open spaces; partner with local artists to develop art pieces and display art at prominent locations. (Recommended addition) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.16 Objective C: Expand and enhance youth and teen recreation programs and facilities to meet the current and future needs of the community. Action 1: Coordinate with SCUCISD in developing and coordinating after school programs. (On-Going) Action 2: Advertise and promote youth recreation programs, such as little league, to inform the public of available programs and activities. (On-Going) Action 3: Continue to develop facilities at City parks for youth and adult recreational including tennis, swimming, biking, in-line skating, skate boarding, roller blading, fishing, picnicking and hiking. (On-Going) Objective D: Implement a parks and recreation improvement program, including redevelopment of existing areas, and maintenance, improvement and renovation of all public areas and facilities. Action 1: Conduct periodic condition assessments of existing parks, recreation areas and facilities to identify improvements and determine the level of annual financial commitment required to adequately maintain existing facilities. (On-Going) Action 2: Prioritize improvements based upon criteria such as safety hazards, level of use, and other practical operating and maintenance criteria. (On-Going) City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.17 Recommended Action Plans The following actions are provided for implementation of this plan. Working towards these actions will aid the city in achieving the previously identified goals and objectives. All actions were based on the needs analysis conducted as part of this plan and input derived from the survey of city residents, which were then rank ordered by the City’s Parks Advisory Board. Two types of actions are offered; administrative and capital improvements. Administrative Actions Administrative actions will require the generation of policy or guidance from multiple sources such as the Parks Advisory Board, City staff, and City Council. In some cases, these actions will impact capital improvement recommendations. Some of the administrative actions can be completed internally with little or no cost, however, some will require significant coordination and staffing and others will require an allocation of funding. For example, the development of policy or plans relating to trails and pathways throughout the city will require significant external coordination with outside agencies and service providers. Many items will also require subsequent review, discussion and action from the City Council. Due to the complexity of some recommended administrative actions, city staff must have the flexibility to address administrative issues based on the schedule and availability of staff, advisory boards, external agencies and City Council, and not necessarily in the order presented in this plan. Capital Improvement Actions Capital improvement actions will require additional review and coordination from other advisory boards, including, but not limited to; Planning and Zoning, Economic Development, etc., in addition to the Parks Advisory Board, City Staff, City Council and other entities. Since some capital improvement actions typically require the dedication of significant resources, extensive planning and coordination, they may not necessarily be addressed in the order listed. Capital improvement actions should be considered on a case by cases basis with consideration given to areas such as; • The scope of the project • The required level of planning effort • Available funding opportunities City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.18 Additionally, some capital improvement items are contingent on the completion of one or more administrative actions; therefore, it is recommended that efforts to address capital improvement actions allow for the flexibility to address lower priority items before higher priority items whenever possible. Administrative Actions 1. Review the staffing and budgeting process for the parks department in order to mitigate ongoing maintenance concerns, upgrade and maintain installed amenities and establish goals to monitor and achieve city standards. 2. Develop cost recovery standards and models for parks and recreation programs. 3. Develop plans to identify and pursue multiple funding sources for parks and recreation. 4. Formally adopt standards for park facilities and installed amenities. 5. Develop specific plans for the development of existing park locations that are currently undeveloped. 6. Develop plans for additional sport practice fields to accommodate youth programs and reduce impact on tournament quality fields. 7. Develop specific plans to provide better connection between existing trails and pathways, and to link city parks, facilities, schools and greenbelts wherever practical. 8. Develop plans or recommendations for the addition of outdoor volleyball courts to parks where practical. 9. Develop a stronger partnership with SCUCISD for expanded joint-use of playgrounds, practice facilities and indoor gymnasiums during non-school hours and on weekends. 10. Provide recommendations for the identification and design of potential park lands in southern Schertz to facilitate future growth in that area and ensure adequate service coverage. 11. Review, update and expand existing partnership agreements to increase and enhance services, reduce gaps in service areas, and clarify funding and maintenance responsibilities. 12. Identify possible locations better suited to accommodate festivals and events as city growth exceeds the capacity of current locations. 13. Develop a program for the installation of art in public places, parks and along trails. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.19 Specific cost estimates for these recommendations were not developed or explored by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. It is recommended that the City develop cost estimates for the capital improvement actions presented in this plan in order to adequately address parks and recreation requirements in the city budget, capitalize on funding opportunities as they present themselves, and aid in developing priorities for future parks and recreation facilities. Priority Capital Improvement Actions 1. Build & Connect trails to support connectivity throughout the city. 2. Construct soccer practice locations. 3. Construct baseball practice locations. 4. Construct new and renovate existing outdoor basketball courts. 5. Construct outdoor volleyball courts. 6. Obtain additional dedicated open space. 7. Build Phase II and Phase III of the Schertz Skate Park. 8. Construct an additional Splash Pad. 9. Construct a Disc Golf Course in the city. 10. Improve fishing access at Cibolo Creek & Crescent Bend Nature Park. City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz Page 7.20 This page intentionally left blank DDiivveerrssiittyy AAccccoommmmooddaattiioonn CCoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn OOppppoorrttuunniittyy CCoonnnneeccttiivviittyy Chapter Contents: - Summary of Citizen Input - Summary of Current Inventory - Summary of Desired State And Gaps - Summary of Goals, Objectives & Specific Actions PPaarrkkss aanndd RReeccrreeaattiioonn MMaasstteerr PPllaann 22001144:: LLiivvee aanndd PPllaayy!! CCiittyy ooff SScchheerrttzz CChhaapptteerr 88 PPllaann SSuummmmaarryy Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! This section of the Strategic Master Plan is intended to summarize the whole document. It is laid out into three areas that have been previously discussed in detail: (1) Citizen Input; (2) Current Inventory, Our Desired State and Identified Gaps, and; (3) Goals & Objectives. Summary of Citizen Input Schertz is a community with young, active families that have clearly expressed the need for a well-planned, robust Parks and Recreation program. They have continually displayed strong support for our existing facilities and programs. Survey data and public input indicate that there appears to be a strong desire to continue devoting adequate resources to parks and recreation in order to maintain and improve the quality of life for our residents. Seventy three percent of survey respondents were between the ages of 25 and 54. Over 67% of those participating in the Parks and Recreation Survey identified themselves as families with 3 or more persons residing in their household and 31% indicated they had 2 or more children in their residence. Sixty five percent indicated that they have lived in Schertz for more than 6 years. Sixty six percent of survey respondents indicated that they use our parks one or more times a month. Additionally, 94% of respondents identified an important need for establishing greenways and trails to connect our parks and facilities and 67% felt that the city should acquire additional land for parks. When asked to rank their priorities, survey respondents indicated that the highest need was for more hike and bike trails, followed by additional natural or open spaces. The recreational activities that scored the highest interest include hiking (89.9%), biking (87.5%) and health/wellness programs (86.0%). Approximately 59% of respondents gave the physical condition of our parks a favorable rating and 55% gave our parks in general an overall favorable rating. City of Schertz Page 8.2 Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Summary of Current Inventory, Desired State & Identified Gaps & Recommendations Current Inventory Schertz has dedicated significant resources to building a quality Parks and Recreation program. Presently, the city maintains 13 developed city parks, covering more than 340 acres. The city has also identified an additional 8 park locations, covering more than 33 acres that are undeveloped or are in the initial stages of development. New projects on the horizon include the development of a dedicated dog park, a skate park, renovation of the Schertz Ballpark Complex, renovation of the Schertz Soccer Complex, addition of a city natatorium, and a park plaza dedicated as a veterans memorial. Supplementing the city parks system is a network of parks owned and maintained by various homeowners’ associations in the city. HOA parks and dedicated open space reserves provide an additional 18 locations, covering more than 41 acres. Furthermore, three additional developments are currently platted with over 87 acres of land tentatively identified as a mix of dedicated city park space and undeveloped open space. Finally, several facilities owned by the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District (SCUCISD), provide additional opportunities for recreation within the city. SCUCISD facilities include 8 schools and 1 athletic complex, which are available to some degree for utilization by the residents when not directly required for school activities. For community and recreational activities, the city provides and maintains a civic center, two community centers, a library, a senior center, a city recreation center and two outdoor swimming pools. Throughout the city, a network of approximately 18 miles of trails and paths are available for use, as well as several marked bicycle lanes on city streets and roadways. Finally, the city has two natural drainage systems, Cibolo and Dietz creeks, that can serve to provide additional natural open spaces and connectivity paths. The city has extensive “partnerships” to augment its recreation program and provide services to its residents, including agreements with the Buffalo Valley Youth Association (BVYA), the Schertz Youth Soccer Alliance (SYSA) and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). City of Schertz Page 8.3 Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Desired State The desired state for the city’s parks and recreation program in this plan was developed after a complete inventory of existing facilities was conducted. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board then examined the results of the citizen survey, reviewed on- going projects, and compared Schertz and its parks system to other Texas cities of comparable size and to national parks standard and recommendations. Finally, the board reviewed growth projections for the city to identify projected shortfalls in the system, identify existing gaps in service and provide recommendations for future parks development and projects. Identified Gaps & Recommendations Although the city has initiated numerous improvements to its parks and recreation system in recent years, the Advisory Board identified several areas that should be addressed in the upcoming years as the city grows. Complete analysis is included in Chapter 6 of this plan, but highlighted areas include: • Identification of a significant shortfall in the number and quality of dedicated practice locations for baseball, softball and soccer throughout the city. • Need to develop plans for the effective utilization of land currently designated for parkland but undeveloped • Identification of potential land to be used for additional community park space in the southern sector. • Need for review and expansion of existing agreements with outside service providers • Increased support for resourcing the parks and recreation department in both staffing and funding for maintenance and repair. City of Schertz Page 8.4 Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Summary of Goals, Objectives and Specific Actions The goals, objectives and actions in the original Comprehensive Land Use Plan were reviewed and continue to be relevant based on the current status and needs of the city’s parks and recreation system, with only minor updates offered by the Parks Advisory Board. Specific Goals and Objectives for Parks and Recreation are outlined in detail in Chapter 7. Specific action items that should be addressed to achieve the city’s goals and objectives include: Administrative Actions 1. Review the staffing and budgeting process for the parks department in order to mitigate ongoing maintenance concerns, upgrade and maintain installed amenities and establish goals to monitor and achieve city standards. 2. Develop cost recovery standards and models for parks and recreation programs. 3. Develop plans to identify and pursue multiple funding sources for parks and recreation. 4. Formally adopt standards for park facilities and installed amenities. 5. Develop specific plans for the development of existing park locations that are currently undeveloped. 6. Develop plans for additional sport practice fields to accommodate youth programs and reduce impact on tournament quality fields. 7. Develop specific plans to provide better connection between existing trails and pathways, and to link city parks, facilities, schools and greenbelts wherever practical. 8. Develop plans or recommendations for the addition of outdoor volleyball courts to parks where practical. 9. Develop a stronger partnership with SCUCISD for expanded joint-use of playgrounds, practice facilities and indoor gymnasiums during non-school hours and on weekends. 10. Provide recommendations for the identification and design of potential park lands in southern Schertz to facilitate future growth in that area and ensure adequate service coverage. 11. Review, update and expand existing partnership agreements to increase and enhance services, reduce gaps in service areas, and clarify funding and maintenance responsibilities. 12. Identify possible locations better suited to accommodate festivals and events as city growth exceeds the capacity of current locations. 13. Develop a program for the installation of art in public places, parks and along trails. City of Schertz Page 8.5 Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Specific cost estimates for these recommendations were not developed or explored by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. It is recommended that the city develop cost estimates for the recommendations presented in this plan in order to adequately address parks and recreations requirements in the city budget, capitalize on funding opportunities as they present themselves, and aid in developing priorities for future parks and recreation facilities. Priority Capital Improvement Actions 1. Build & Connect trails to support connectivity throughout the city. 2. Construct soccer practice locations. 3. Construct baseball practice locations. 4. Construct new and renovate existing outdoor basketball courts. 5. Construct outdoor volleyball courts. 6. Obtain additional dedicated open space. 7. Build Phase II and Phase III of the Schertz Skate Park. 8. Construct an additional Splash Pad. 9. Construct a Disc Golf Course in the city. 10. Improve fishing access at Cibolo Creek & Crescent Bend Nature Park. City of Schertz Page 8.6 City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity Appendix Page 1 Diversity Accommodation Conservation Opportunity Connectivity Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! City of Schertz Appendix Appendix Contents: A. – Survey Results B. – Funding Sources & Grants C. – Recommended Park Amenity Standards Appendix City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity Appendix Page 2 APPENDIX C – Citizen On-Line Survey Responses Appendix City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity Appendix Page 3 Appendix City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity Appendix Page 4 Appendix City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! 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Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity Appendix Page 61 APPENDIX B – Potential Grant Sources Potential Parks & Recreation Funding Sources: Assistance programs which provide matching funding General obligation bonds Sales tax User fees Impact fees such as a parks excise tax Texas Recreation and Park Account (TRPA) program funds Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) Land donation Trust fund Private financing Dedication Fee-in-lieu of dedication or improvement Corporate Sponsorship Partnership with other agencies to share resources Private Sector Grants (Refer to Table 7.1 for potential grant programs) The most effective approach to funding an adequate parks and recreation system will be to utilize a combination of financing techniques and funding sources. To the maximum extent possible, the City should strive to expand potential funding sources for parks and recreation. The creative use of multiple and varied revenue streams will continue to bring the best value for our residents and effective utilization of multiple funding streams can greatly reduce the impact on local resources. Appendix City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity Appendix Page 62 Potential Grant Sources Grant Source Web Site URL for Information American Academy of Dermatology http://www.aad.org/spot-skin-cancer/what-we-do/shade-structure-grant-program/shade- structure-grant-program Baseball tomorrow fund http://web.mlbcommunity.org/index.jsp?content=programs&program=baseball_tomorrow_fu nd CVS Caremark http://info.cvscaremark.com/community/ways-we-give EPA - Environmental Education (EE) Grants http://www2.epa.gov/education/environmental-education-ee-grants Finish Line http://www.finishline.com/store/youthfoundation/guidelines.jsp Home Depot http://www.homedepotfoundation.org/page/grants KaBOOM! http://kaboom.org/ Liberty Mutual Insurance http://www.responsiblesports.com/ Lowe’s http://responsibility.lowes.com/ National Gardening Association http://www.kidsgardening.org/ Project Learning Tree http://www.plt.org/greenworks-service-learning Staples http://www.staplesfoundation.org/index.php Texas Parks and Wildlife Department http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/grants/ The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant Program http://www.for-wild.org/seedmony.html Tony Hawk Foundation http://www.tonyhawkfoundation.org/skatepark-grants/apply/ U.S. Soccer Foundation http://www.ussoccerfoundation.org/ USA Football http://usafootball.com/help/grants Walgreens http://www.walgreens.com/marketing/about/community/guidelines.jsp#Funding Walmart http://foundation.walmart.com/ Table 7.2 – Private Sector Grant Sources Park Development Recommendations Appendix City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! Diversity * Accommodation * Conservation * Opportunity * Connectivity Appendix Page 63 APPENDIX C – Recommended Standard Park Amenities The following park amenities are recommended as the standard feature(s) for Schertz Parks and Recreation. These types of items have been recommended not only because they provide better durability and less maintenance, they also provide a professional appearance for our parks and recreational areas. The items listed below are not intended to designate a specific model or supplier, rather, they are listed only to provide an example of the typical amenities desired for City Parks and Recreational Facilities and reflect design features, visual examples and average costs for budgeting purposes. Parks Amenities Typical Design Features Example(s) Average Cost Picnic Tables Expanded metal or all aluminum ADA Compliant Aluminum Picnic Table with Galvanized Steel Frames $580.00 ea. Expanded Metal Round Picnic Table $700.00 - $850.00 ea. 8-Ft. Heavy Duty Picnic Table $840.00 ea. Water Fountains All metal with three fountains (standard, child/ADA and pet fountain) Option: Water bottle filler feature for trail locations $2500.00 - $4200.00 ea. Benches Expanded metal or all aluminum Stationary Park Bench with Aluminum Planks - 14-Gauge Metal Frame 6-Ft. - $250.00 – $350.00 Memorial Style bench - Diamond Pattern Custom Logo Bench with Back 4 Ft – $840.00 (Text Only) 4 Ft – $1040.00 (Text & Logo) 6 Ft – $1140.00 (Text Only) 6 Ft – $1340.00 (Text & Logo) Personalized Expanded Metal Bench with Back 6 Ft - $430.00 - $550.00 Grills Size varies by location 300 Sq. Multilevel Park and Camp Grill 500 Sq. Covered Park Grill with Utility Shelf $200.00 - $650.00 ea. Trash Receptacles All metal, with or without top cover, interior plastic liner $350.00 - $550.00 ea. Table 7.3 – Recommended Park Amenities Appendix City of Schertz – Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2014: Live and Play! 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