Parks Master Plan

MUSKINGUM WATERSHED CONSERVANCY DISTRICT

WORKSHOP January 18, 2013

Parks Master Plan

Workshop Agenda

• Introductions− Planning Team

• Summary Review of Nov. / Dec. meetings− Master Plan Process & Schedule− Assessment− Staffing

• Survey Overview• Outcomes• Capital Project Evaluation - BUSINESS MODEL• EXAMPLE Applying Model to Programming/ Planning• Next Steps for Meetings with the Board in February,

March and each month through the end of the report.

Parks Master Plan

Planning Team• Andrew Pack, Woolpert, Inc.

− Project Manager

• Bruce Rankin, Woolpert, Inc.− Park Planner

• Leon Younger, PROS Consulting, LLC− Park Planning Consultant/ Strategist

Other team members

Lunde Williams

ETC Institute

Parks Master Plan

Scope

• Condition Assessment and Sustainability Audit• Match Recreation Needs with Facility and Amenity

Capability• Evaluate ROI for Existing Program and Facilities• Facilitate and Evaluate Community Input• Develop Program and Facility Improvements

− Atwood Lake Park− Atwood Lake Cabin Peninsula − Tappan Lake Park− Seneca Lake Park and

Marina

− Piedmont Lake Marina and Campground

− Charles Mill Lake Park− Pleasant Hill Lake Park

Parks Master Plan

Scope• Develop Program and Facility Improvements

(Master Plan / Business Plan)• Condition Assessment and Sustainability Audit• Match Recreation Needs with Facility and Amenity Capability• Evaluate Return on Investment  (ROI) for Existing Program 

and Facilities• Facilitate and Evaluate Community Input

− Atwood Lake Park− Atwood Lake Cabin Peninsula − Tappan Lake Park− Seneca Lake Park and

Marina

− Piedmont Lake Marina and Campground

− Charles Mill Lake Park− Pleasant Hill Lake Park

Parks Master Plan

Schedule• Months 1 & 2 (August – September)

− Start-up Meeting / Demographics Review

− Analysis of Existing Park Facilities, Operations, Policies and Programs

− Needs Assessment (Stakeholders / Focus Group Meetings)

− Develop Survey

• Months 3 & 4 (October -November)− Continue with Facility Operations, Policies and Programs Assessment

− Public Meetings Workshops

• Month 5 (December)− Finalizing Assessments and Draft Report

− Statistically Valid Survey

− MWCD Team Meeting

• Month 6 (January 2013)− Visioning , Goals and Objectives

− Draft and Final Recommendations / Business & Action Plans

• Months 7, 8 & 9 (February – April) − Concepts/ Recommendations/ Public Workshops

• Months 10 -11 (May- June)− Final Concepts/ Report/ Business Plans and Presentations

Who is MWCD?

How does MWCD function?

What exists today within MWCD?

What do we need?

What are our goals?

How do we get there?

Parks Master Plan

Meetings, Meetings, Meetings

• Engaged Staff and the Public

− Park Managers, Staff, MWCD Administration − Board Member Interviews− Stakeholders − Focus Groups − Public Workshops− Park Questionnaires / “Post It” Posters− Statistically Valid Survey

Parks Master Plan

• Campgrounds are vital; most need to be redesigned and redeveloped

• New, fresh amenities• Marinas and Docks• Most buildings are outdated, need replacement• Marketing must be ramped up• Develop a strategic approach to events, signature

facilities and programs• Staffing• Programs, polices & standards• Operations

Assessment - 30,000 ft. High

Parks Master Plan

Top Public NEED Comments• Top rated NEED comments from customers

− Infrastructure upgrades and improvements− More full hook up campsites / separate seasonal / transient campers− New/ upgraded facilities (showers/restrooms/ activity centers)− Improve beaches, add amenities; geese are a problem− Wi-Fi connections for campers in parks and GPS for visitors to the

parks− Need for courtesy docks / cluster docks− Need more hiking and bicycle trails; get people outside− Communication from District / Marketing of the parks (programs,

activities, facilities)− Need for improved, new polices / rules (inform/enforce)− Provide more experiences, programs and activities for all ages (family

parks)− Safety in the parks (pedestrians/ vehicle conflicts, road speeds &

lighting)− Shoreline protection and environmental protection (water quality)

Parks Master Plan

SURVEY SUMMARY

Parks Master Plan

Overall Results• Over 1900 responses• Water related facilities and camping at the top• Walking/hiking very high as well• High number(25%) visit 10 – 50 times• Family-oriented; kid-focused attractions rank high• Further cross tabulations will reveal more preferences by:

− Household type− Length of stay− Specific park used

Statistically-Valid Survey

Parks Master Plan

Statistically-Valid Survey

Parks Master Plan

Statistically-Valid Survey

Parks Master Plan

Statistically-Valid Survey

Parks Master Plan

Statistically-Valid Survey

Parks Master Plan

Statistically-Valid Survey

Parks Master Plan

Other Points of Note• Top Marina needs are more social and cultural

− Restaurant and amenities very high− Docks and services much lower

• Zip line very high• Many of the desired activities needs rate above 50% not met• Confirms MWCD is meeting camping needs

− Consistently high desire and meeting need− Also most wanted facilities to develop

• Nature and Historical rank high as desired activities

Statistically-Valid Survey

Parks Master Plan

OUTCOMES

Parks Master Plan

• Leave a 40 year legacy– Each park as sustainable as possible

• Efficiency in operations• Green infrastructure • Modernize the system• Infrastructure needs to be balanced

– Cross district and at individual parks• Action

– Need a step-by-step action/implementation plan

Outcomes

Parks Master Plan

• Standards across the system– Mowing, programs, design, marinas,

campgrounds

• “Theme the parks” for 40 years• Destination facilities• Family and youth programming

Outcomes

Parks Master Plan

Capital Project Evaluation BUSINESS MODEL• Utilizes an Algorithm to evaluate each improvement independently. 

• Improvements are prioritized within each park and within the system

• Variables evaluated for each project include:• Project Costs• Public Need• Health and Safety• Regulatory Compliance• Business Continuity • Operational Evaluation• Return on Investment

Parks Master Plan

Capital Project EvaluationVariable: Project Costs

Criteria:

• Construction Costs

• Contingency Costs

• Planning and Design Costs

• Soft Costs (Furniture Fixtures and Equipment) 

Parks Master Plan

Capital Project EvaluationVariable: Public Input

Criteria:• Household Population within 10 square miles of Service Area

• Community Survey Needs Analysis Findings for the project

• Similar Facilities and Proximity to Park

• Adaptive Re‐use or Preservation of Historic Sites

• Environmental Stewardship or Protection of Natural Resources associated with project

• Enhancement or renovation of existing facility or amenity

Parks Master Plan

Capital Project EvaluationVariable: Health/Safety and Regulatory Compliance

Criteria:

• Urgency of Health and Safety Issues 

• Urgency of Regulatory Compliance

• Budgetary Impact of Project (Cost Recovery of Operations)

• Best Assessment of Consequence of No Action

Parks Master Plan

Capital Project EvaluationVariable: Operational Evaluation

Criteria:• Annual Operational Expenses

• Wages and Benefits• Supply and Material• Contracted Services• Utilities• Maintenance and Administrative

• Avoided Costs (what costs were not incurred by moving forward with project)

• Revenue Generation

Parks Master Plan

Capital Project EvaluationVariable: Return on Investment

Criteria:• Community Development Return

• Health Wellness and Safety Return

• Natural/Cultural Resource Stewardship Return

• Public Funding Stewardship Return

• Connectivity Return

Parks Master Plan

PARK “THEME” EXAMPLE

Parks Master Plan

Tappan Park – “Edge Sports” Theme• Opportunities 

– Bike Campground– Sprayground– Natural trails – Buckeye Trail– Ropes Course– Mountain biking area– Zip line/Beanstalk– Kayak tours– Kayak  Campground– Beach Campground– Paddle Camping– Skill shooting sports– Tree House Camping– Restaurant/Grill

Parks Master Plan

PARK “THEME” EXAMPLE

Parks Master Plan

Visioning Process

• Identify and prioritize Program Options• Identify Theme Options• Refine Analysis• Assess buildable land and rank land by value• Test Alternative Concepts• Select a Preferred Concept and refine it • Estimate capital , operational costs and potential revenues

• Complete Cost Benefit Evaluation

Parks Master Plan

Tappan – Process ExampleExample Programs to illustrate the Modeling approach• Zip line/Beanstalk• Kayak  Campground (Paddle Camping)• Beach Campground• Tree House Camping• Restaurant/Grill

Parks Master Plan

Tappan – Process Example

• Refine Opportunities, based on Program Options• Assess buildable land values

Parks Master Plan

Tappan – Process Example

• Prioritize land value for desired programs• Test alternative concepts

Parks Master Plan

Tappan – Process Example

• Calculate potential facility capacities• Estimate capital , operational costs and potential revenues

Parks Master Plan

Tappan – Process Example

• Calculate potential facility capacities• Estimate capital , operational costs and potential revenues

Parks Master Plan

“Edge Sports” Theme

– Mountain Biking– Segway Tours– Bike Campground– Lake Sports– Floating Waterparks– Triathlons– Ropes Course– Zip line/Beanstalk

– Kayak Tours– Kayak  Campground– Beach Campground– Paddle Camping– Skill shooting sports– Tree House Camping– Restaurant/Grill– Adventure Center

Parks Master Plan

Parks Master Plan

Parks Master Plan

Parks Master Plan

Parks Master Plan

− February - Coordination of Strategic Plan, Branding Plan and Master Plan efforts between each planning group to create synergy, consistency and cross coordination of priorities

− March - Business Plans rolled out by park with key recommendations and priority work plans

− April - Capital Improvement Plans rolled out based on Cost Benefit and Return on Investment and timelines to complete

− May - Draft Report Presentation with Financial Plan

− June - Final Report Presentation

Future Workshops

Parks Master Plan

Closing

• Questions / Comments• Adjourn

“Some of the best park resources in the country”Design Team