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1 - Introduction 2 - Vision Statement 3 - Land Use 4 - Circulation 5 - Conservation 6 - Noise 7 - Safety 8 - Recreation 9 - Historical 10 - Community Design 11 - Glossary - Maps |
CHAPTER EIGHT RECREATION ELEMENT Recreation is an optional General Plan element under California law. The Recreation Element addresses parks and recreation facilities throughout the Grass Valley Planning Area, including both those owned and maintained by the City of Grass Valley and those under the purview of other agencies or, selectively, private entities. The Recreation Element is closely linked both to the Land Use Element and to the Conservation/Open Space Element. Figure 8-1 shows park and recreational facilities within the City of Grass Valley and the unincorporated portion of the Grass Valley Planning Area. Historically, land for park and recreation facilities has been donated to the City by public-spirited individuals. The Grass Valley Subdivision Ordinance provides for land dedication for parks and recreation, and for in lieu fees through which residential developments might facilitate park land acquisition. The standard for park and recreation dedications or in lieu fees, established under provisions of the "Quimby Act" (Section 66477 of the State Government Code), is a maximum of 5 acres per 1,000 population. The City owns and maintains eight park/recreation facilities. These include two parks currently classified as "community parks": Condon Park and Memorial Park. Two of the eight parks, Morgan Ranch Park and Mulcahy Field, are in the process of being developed. In addition, the City contracts with Nevada County to operate the Pelton Wheel Museum/Glen Jones Park which, in turn, the City contracts for operation and maintenance with the Nevada County Historical Society. An inventory of City owned/operated park and recreation facilities follows:
Additional park/recreational facilities within the City of Grass Valley, but owned and maintained by entities other than the City, are as follows:
Acreage and per capita acreage figures within the City of Grass Valley in Table 8-1. TABLE 8-1 ACREAGE & PER CAPITA ACREAGE CITY OWNED PARKS & RECREATION FACILITIES
Per capita figures are based on the California Department of Finance January 1, 1998 population estimate of 9,475 for the City of Grass Valley. The Nevada County Country Club on East Main Street is a 58 acre, 9-hole public golf course owned and operated by a private company. It is the only public-access golf course located within the Planning Area. The Sierra College Park, developed in 1998-99, is a soccer and baseball facility slightly less than eight acres, located on the Sierra College campus near Nevada Union High School. As part of the College campus, the park remains under the auspices of the Sierra Community College District Board of Trustees. The Hennessy School, located just east of Highway 49 near downtown Grass Valley, is owned by the Grass Valley Elementary School District. The school grounds and attendant facilities are classified as a park as they are accessible to the public. Existing park and recreation facilities outside the Grass Valley City limits, but within the Planning Area, follow. The three listed facilities total 963+ acres.
The Nevada County Fairgrounds is a 100 acre parcel owned and maintained by the State Fairgrounds Authority. The facility is classified as a regional park. The Fairgrounds house several community facilities, including the Senior Citizens Building. The annual Nevada County Fair and other recreational activities take place at the Fairgrounds, which are used year-round. Nevada Union High School, operated by the Nevada Joint Union High School District, includes substantial recreational and sports facilities on a 63+ acre campus located on Ridge Road. The campus is adjacent to, though not currently within, the Grass Valley City limits. It should be pointed out that inclusion of the entirety of acreage devoted to the Hennessy School and Nevada Union High School tends to exaggerate the actual, usable recreation acreage in the inventory of recreation lands. A more definitive identification of usable recreation space on these properties, and other school properties in the unincorporated Planning Area is needed but currently unavailable. Empire Mine State Park is part of the State of California Park system. The Park, over 800 acres, includes the old mine, historic and interpretive buildings and exhibits, and over one square mile of forested open space with trails and natural areas. The Park maintains over ten miles of hiking trails open to the public. The total acreage of existing park and recreation facilities in the entire Planning Area (City limits plus unincorporated area) is 1,124. The Planning Area encompasses 9,894 acres. Thus, existing parks and recreation areas, as defined to include school grounds with public-access recreational areas, comprise 11.4 percent of the Planning Area. Recreation Goals and Objectives 1-RG Allow for expanded and diverse recreational programs, areas and opportunities. 1-RO Development and continuation of park and open space programs. 2-RO Promote City-sponsored recreation programs. 3-RO Establishment of a mechanism for inter-jurisdictional cooperation in the Grass Valley area. 4-RO Assurance that an adequate amount of parklands are set aside proportionate to needs and growth. 2-RG Facilitate community cultural opportunities. 5-RO Establishment of cultural venues and programs. 6-RO Establishment of general-purpose community gathering places and facilities. Recreation Issues Park and Recreation Organization and Administration Park and recreation organization and administration is critical to the provision of municipal recreation facilities and services. The City of Grass Valley recognized this need when it created the Parks and Recreation Commission in January, 1999 and authorized a Park and Recreation System Master Plan to be completed during 1999 and early 2000. In a period of rising public expectations and expanding definitions of the recreation function, professional management and administration is a prerequisite to any public-sector recreation program. Expanding Scope of the Park and Recreation Function In decades past, the park/recreation function consisted of little more than acquiring, developing, and maintaining traditional parks. Little changed from year to year: park facilities stayed the same, new parks were rarely added to the "system". Public recreation today has changed dramatically, based on public expectations, needs, and demands. Among the major changes, all pertinent to Grass Valley and the recreation function are:
Inter-organizational Coordination As Grass Valley enhances its park/recreation facilities and services over the next 20 years, substantial coordination with outside organizations, governmental and private, is imperative. Involvement with Nevada County is essential to assure that the needs of citizens in the entire Community Region (Sphere of Influence, Planning Area) are addressed in a coordinated manner. Implementation of a Trails Network will require close coordination with Nevada County, the Nevada Irrigation District, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Sierra College and other agencies, if for no other reason than to assure access to public and quasi-public easements and rights-of-way. Similarly, private organizations (Nevada County Land Trust, for example) have much to offer. Broader responsibilities and an expanded "scope of services" will necessitate unprecedented coordination and cooperation with outside entities. Recreation Policies 1-RP Provide parks and open spaces of different sizes and types to respond to the needs of a diverse population, including trails for pedestrian and equestrian use, bicycle pathways, linear parkways and park-like natural areas. 2-RP Increase the standard of park acreage to population. 3-RP Distinguish neighborhood park needs from community and regional park needs. 4-RP Establish a City-sponsored open space district to operate and manage existing and future open space resources. 5-RP Formalize and enhance walking trails in existing City parks. 6-RP Provide non-motorized linkages between parks and open spaces. 7-RP Include a map in the General Plan designating a trails network for the Planning Area. 8-RP Cooperate with other jurisdictions to address regional park and recreation needs. 9-RP Develop performing arts in various venues, including a performing arts center. 10-RP Expand the existing library as a cultural venue. 11-RP Create a public plaza in downtown for community events and activities. 12-RP Support efforts to establish a community center for mixed ages and a variety of uses. Park and Recreation Planning Grass Valley will prepare a Park and Recreation System Master Plan in 1999 and 2000. The Master Plan will establish policy, set standards, identify and prioritize capital investments (land, facilities), and address operational and fiscal matters. The Master Plan will be reviewed and updated periodically. The basic role of the General Plan, particularly the Recreation Element, is to provide an overall policy framework
within which more specific "functional" plans and actions may occur. This Recreation Element, however,
both establishes a policy framework and dictates some specifics (standards, park needs, creation and description
of the Trails Network). The Master Plan process must have flexibility, but any departure from the General Plan
shall require a General Plan amendment at the time of Master Plan adoption. Park Classification and Standards The following classification system and standards are established, pending revision by the Park and Recreation System Master Plan and appropriate amendment to this General Plan:
Service area: City-wide and unincorporated Planning Area Acreage standard: 5 acres/1,000 population Minimum size: 40 acres
Service area: ½ mile radius (based on walking distance) Acreage standard: 5 acres/1,000 population Minimum size: 1 acre
Service area: Larger than Planning Area Acreage standard: None Minimum size: No standard
Service area: Variable Acreage standard: No standard Minimum size: No standard Additional Park Needs The following are identified as high priority park needs, subject to further analysis during the Parks and Recreation System Master Plan process:
Recreation Trails Network Diagram and Description Creation of a pedestrian network serving Grass Valley and the Planning Area is a high priority of this General Plan. Figure 8-2, the Trails-Sidewalks Network Concept Plan map, shows the conceptual "multi-purpose" trail-sidewalk system directed by policies in the Recreation Element, Circulation Element, and Conservation/Open Space Element. Versions of the trails concept have been part of Grass Valley's General Plans since the first General Plan was adopted in August, 1966. Little progress has been made in thirty-three years. The Trails-Sidewalks Network is multi-purpose in that it serves both the utilitarian and recreational needs. It is for the use of pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians, though not all segments are intended for use by all. The concept plan provides for a comprehensive system, not just isolated segments, for non-motorized vehicular use. Following is a summary of features of the trails portion of the Trails-Sidewalks Network:
Recreation Implementation Actions and Strategies 1-RI Prepare Parks and Recreation System Master Plan, incorporating appropriate provisions of this General Plan (including the Trails-Sidewalks Network Concept Plan) into the Master Plan. Establish clear priorities and phasing plans as part of the Master Plan process. 2-RI Establish a formal mechanism for ongoing coordination with Nevada County, to include but not be limited to joint facility funding; agreement on plans, programs, services, and activities. 3-RI Establish and utilize neighborhood planning and participation to determine localized needs and desires for facilities and services. 4-RI Pursue alternatives to city acquisition and maintenance of recreation areas via homeowners associations, assessment districts, and private organizations. 4-RI Provide a focal point and coordinating mechanism for the efforts of non-governmental entities involved in the acquisition of property or property rights related to City park and recreation facilities. 5-RI Reserve land or entitlements in advance of need. Accept dedications and donations if potentially useful for future facilities. 6-RI Inform the general public of recreation-related facilities, services, and future plans, and actively solicit public opinion in return. 7-RI Assign full responsibility to the Parks and Recreation Commission for recreation and related planning, programming, and administration. |