Item 13 - DRAFT Needs Assessment for Community ParkNovember 16, 2021, Item #13DATE: TO: FROM: CONTACT: SUBJECT: Summary: AGENDA REPORT CityofPoway November 16, 2021 Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Counc~lj A Robert Manis, Director of Development Services fV" David De Vries, City Planner (858) 668-4604 or ddevries@poway.org DRAFT Needs Assessment for Community Park CITY COUNCIL This action is a review of the Draft Needs Assessment Executive Summary for Community Park (Assessment) prepared by PROS Consulting (Attachment A). PROS Consulting was contracted by the City to prepare a usage and needs assessment of Community Park. At the meeting, the consultant will provide a presentation summarizing the project, the work done to-date, including the outreach program, and draft priorities for consideration. Recommended Action: It is recommended that the City Council provide feedback to staff regarding the Draft Needs Assessment Executive Summary and presentation. Discussion: Following a City Council initiated item introduced by Deputy Mayor Leonard and Councilmember Grosch, the City Council directed the preparation of this Assessment in December 2019 to complement the recent renovation of the Swim Center and the new Mickey Cafagna Community Center. The City Council also acknowledged that, with the adoption of the Poway Road Specific Plan in 2017 and recently entitled housing projects, there would be many new families in the area using the park. The Assessment was drafted based on a robust outreach program and research analysis. Outreach included discussions with City staff, the City Council, and community stakeholders including the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC), representatives from the Poway Valley Senior Citizens Corporation, Poway Sports Association and contract instructors. This program and analysis and resulting considerations are discussed further in the Assessment. PROS Consulting will present an overview of the outreach program and analysis and priorities for consideration at the City Council meeting (presentation available online at PlanCommunityPark.com). At the recent October 28 PRAC meeting, the PRAC supported the priorities within the Assessment and noted that adding public art, trees, and parking including opportunities for bike parking should be considered. After feedback from the City Council is provided, PROS Consulting will complete the full Assessment and present it to the City Council for review and adoption at a future City Council meeting in early 2022. 1 of7
November 16, 2021, Item #13Environmental Review: This action is not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Fiscal Impact: None. Public Notification: A Notice of this meeting was posted on the designated webpage (PlanCommunityPark.com) with notifications sent out to the Poway Today e-newsletter list. Notification was provided to news and social media outlets, all website registrants, and noted stakeholders. Attachments: A. Draft Needs Assessment Executive Summary for Community Park Reviewed/ Approved By: Wend aserman Assistant City Manager 2 of7 Reviewed By: Alan Fenstermacher City Attorney City Manager
November 16, 2021, Item #13DRAFT COMMUNITY PARK NEEDS ASSESSMENT EXECUTIVE SUM MARY
November 16, 2021, Item #13CHAPTER ONE -EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 f rRODUC rro The City of Poway selected PROS Consulting to assist in developing a Needs Assessment for Community Park ("Assessment"). The purpose of the Assessment is to serve as a usable "blueprint" to the City staff, Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee, and the City Council in planning for the needs of Community Park for the growing population using it. This document is intended to be an identification of community needs based on: • Recreation Trends • Key Leader, Stakeholder, and User Group Input • Virtual Public Meetings and Community Survey • Benchmarking Data • Staff Visioning Process The next step in this process is recommended to be a Site Master Plan to help design and identify the best placement and location of the approved needs identified through this assessment. 1.2 PROJECT PROCESS The Assessment followed a process of data collection, public input, on-the-ground study, assessment of existing conditions, market research, and open dialogue with local leadership and key stakeholders. The project process followed a planning path, as illustrated below: Where Are We Going Where Are We TODAY? TOMORROW? ............................. How Do We Get THERE? .................... • Community Engagement . ..................... . • Site Tour • Demographic and Trends • Needs Prioritization • Benchmark Analysis • Level of Service Standards • Online Survey 4of7
November 16, 2021, Item #13I.) ( I) I These were developed for Poway using data from Environmental Services Research Institute (ESRI) using participation data based on Market Potential Index (MPI) measures (the probable demand for a product or service within a defined service area). It shows the likelihood that an adult resident will participate in certain activities when compared to the U.S. National average which is denoted as 100. Thus, below numbers 100 Fitness MPI -Poway -National Average 160 147 140 120 I 100 80 ~ 60 40 20 0 Yoga Jogging/ Pilates Swimming Weight Walking for Aerobics Zumba represent lower Running lifting Exercise than average participation rates (lower demand) and numbers above 100 represent above average participation rates (higher demand). MPls were developed for General Sports, Fitness, and Outdoor Activity. As seen below, a variety of fitness activities including jogging, running, and walking for exercise are all very high priorities compared to the national average. l\f, I . I This included a variety of key leader (City Council, Committee members, staff etc.), stakeholder, and user groups (partial list shown) who shared Stakeholders and User Groups their input on strengths, opportunities, and their top priorities/vision for Community Park. Two virtual public meetings were also conducted in June 2021 and had over 30 attendees participated in them. City of Poway Poway City Council Poway Valley Senior Citizen Corporation Board of Directors Valley Elementary June 9, 2021 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Trail Advisory Board SD Skate Life Poway Sports Association In additional, the Consulting team, in conjunction with City staff, administered an online survey via Survey Virtual Public Meeting #2 -COMPLETED Monkey and the project website www.plancommunityparks.com. The survey was launched in English and Spanish and City staff help market and promote the survey to the broader community. The survey was live from August 2 -September 4, 2021 and had a total of 1, 171 responses which is an exceptionally high response rate. 5 of7 6.00pm -7.00pm PST
November 16, 2021, Item #13t.l RFCOM\1Fr1DA710NS Based on an iterative visioning process with staff combined with the community input, benchmarking, and analysis of recreational trends, the Consulting Team identified the following considerations and top priorities. ! I The following considerations are tied to updating already existing facilities and/or amenities: 1. Add additional trees and/ or shade structures to areas including, but not necessarily limited to: • Tot lots • The Splash Pad • Grass areas • Baseball field areas • Parking lots 2. Improve Signage (Directional/Wayfinding and Informational): • Entrance • Amenities • Facilities and Rooms • Trail Information and Mile Markers • Parking 3. Connect Pedestrian loops and enhance ADA accessibility 4. Upgrade/add play structures for all-abilities playgrounds 5. Increase safety lighting in and around the park t , , r 1 ... · l' The following considerations are for potential new amenities that could be added to Community Park: 1 . Add outdoor adventure elements 2. Add dedicated pickleball courts 3. Add restroom by northerly play area 4. Introduce interpretive learning and art opportunities to activate the creek 5. Provide fitness equipment / exercise stations along the trail I t: [' <... These considerations are going to be tied to the operations or processes of the City. 1 . Invest in additional marketing to create greater awareness of park offerings 2. Focus on maintenance Improvements • Enhance existing landscape • Relocate maintenance yard • Add dedicated staff I contract support 3. Ensure consistency in branding and aesthetics 4. Determine consistent hours of operations 5. Utilize technology to enhance the user experience • Wi-Fi in park • App for accessible maps / parking counts / workout trackers etc. 6 of7
November 16, 2021, Item #131. Shade (shade structures and trees) -Create more shaded areas around the park and trails as well as around amenities where people congregate. 2. Accessible Trails and Connectivity -Connect pedestrian loops and make the trails more universally accessible. 3. Signage -Enhance signage throughout the park, for awareness, directional, and educational purposes. 4. Adventure Amenities and All-Abilities Playground -Improve play areas to include all-abilities playgrounds and introduce adventure amenities such as zip-lines, obstacle courses etc. to expand the park's usability. 5. Additional Resources for Awareness and Maintenance (Staff and/or Contract Support) -Invest additional resources to keep up with the park maintenance as additional amenities are added; also grow marketing and communication efforts to create greater awareness about the offerings particularly at the community recreation center. This Assessment is meant to be a needs assessment as the City continues to plan its future to meet the needs of its growing and very engaged population. As the area grows, Community Park will require a higher level of service for indoor and outdoor offerings while creating enjoyable, safe spaces for community members of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to recreate comfortably. City leadership can take this Assessment into consideration for future CIP projects and/or consider funding for specific park designs and/or a park master plan. The City's staff is a group of passionate, skilled professionals, and their dedication to the community's well-being is apparent. The Consulting Team is confident that staff in conjunction with the City's leadership will do everything in their power to ensure Community Park meets the needs of the Poway community in the years to come. 7 of7