COMMENTS due june 3: Parks and rec new comprehensive plan

REVIEW OF PARKS & REC DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
5/29/2018

SWNA board members have examined the draft Comprehensive Plan published by Bend Parks and Recreation Department (BRPD), and this review focuses on the BPRD’s future plans for parks, trails and recreational facilities within Summit West (SWNA) boundaries.  

Based on a two-year public engagement process, the BPRD has prioritized 99 projects and has sorted these projects into three categories: high, moderate and low.  These projects were derived from the BPRD Capital Improvement Plan and the draft Plan.  Evaluation criteria were developed to determine each project’s priority level, as discussed in Chapter 6 of the draft Plan.  Associated maps include Map 9, Planned Projects (see page 111); Map 10, Park Search Areas and Improved Crossings to Access Existing Parks (see page 113); and Map 10, Trail Plans (see page 115).  These three maps, by planning topic, incorporate a discussion of high, moderate and low priority projects.  

The BPRD’s planned projects, park search areas, and trail plans are situated primarily along the western boundary of the SWNA.  The following is a summary of planned activities for the above categories.  

1) PLANNED PROJECTS:
A: Discovery Park Phase 2 (no. 33, draft Plan)—The BPRD will conduct public outreach to determine what amenities the community would like to see added to Discovery Park.  Potential amenities may include a playground, a water feature and infrastructure for events.

B: Sunset View Park (no. 19, draft Plan)—Residents in this neighborhood have previously indicated an interest in outdoor fitness equipment and trail routes for the Park.  The scope of the project will be refined prior to the start of the design process.

2) PARK SEARCH AREAS:
The BPRD has identified three search areas, along the western edge of the SWNA and the City’s Urban Growth Boundary, for future parks (the location of the proposed parks within the search areas are approximate and subject to change).  These include part of Boyd Park (no. 5), Eagle Park (no. 9), and Foxborough Park (no. 11).  

3) TRAIL PLANS:
The BPRD has listed planned trails situated primarily to the west of the SWNA, and these include the Discovery West Trail (no. 16) and the Manzanita Trail (no. 21, extending westerly from Discovery Park to the Shevlin Park trail system).  All planned trail alignments are approximate and subject to change. 

Overall, the impact of the BPRD’s planned projects on SWNA would be minimal.  These changes are consistent with the existing facilities, the framework of the adjacent neighborhoods, and would include follow-up public outreach to provide a platform for modifying planned improvements.  Further, it is believed that the improvements would enhance the livability of the affected neighborhoods, reflective of public comments submitted to the BPRD.  

In reference to the discussion about Park Search Areas and Trail Plans, the proposed plans anticipate primarily residential growth taking place along the western boundary of the SWNA and within and outside of the City’s Urban Growth Boundary.  These plans address this growth, and minimal impacts on SWNA are anticipated within the BPRD’s 10-year planning framework.