HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2013.03.06 - 20720MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #13041 March 6, 2013
BY: PLANNING AND BUILDING COMMITTEE, JIM RUNESTAD, CHAIRPERSON
IN RE: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION — SUPPORT OF ADOPTION OF THE
OAKLAND COUNTY FIVE-YEAR PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN 2013-2017
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission has undertaken a
five-year parks and recreation plan which describes the physical features, existing recreation
facilities and the desired actions to be taken to improve and maintain recreation facilities during
the period between 2013 through 2017, and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission began the process
of developing a community recreation and natural resource conservation plan in accordance with
the most recent guidelines developed by the Department of Natural Resources and made
available to local communities, and
WHEREAS, the goals and objectives of the Oakland County Five-Year Parks and
Recreation Master Plan 2013-2017 were developed in responses to needs identified by citizen
surveys and input from Oakland County communities, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Commission and staff members, and
WHEREAS, the public was given a well-advertised opportunity and reasonable
accommodations to review the final draft plan for a period of 30 days, and
WHEREAS, a final public comment session was held on January 9, 2013 at the Oakland
County Parks and Recreation Administration Building in Waterford, Michigan to provide an
opportunity for all residents of the planning area to express opinions, ask questions, and discuss
all aspects of the recreation and natural resource conservation plan, and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission has developed the
plan for the benefit of the entire community and to adopt the plan as a document to assist in
meeting the recreation needs of the community, and
WHEREAS, the goals and objectives will assist the Oakland County Parks and
Recreation Commission in determining future planning by lending direction while remaining
flexible to allow for adjustments by creative and responsible management, and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Five-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013-
2017 meets the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission's long-range goals and
objectives as established by the 2008 Oakland County Parks and Recreation Strategic Master
Plan, and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission approved a
resolution to adopt the Oakland County Five-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013-2017
on February 6, 2013, and
WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources requires a resolution from the
Governing Body in support of adoption.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners authorizes and approves adoption of the Oakland County Five-Year Parks and
Recreation Master Plan.
Chairperson, on behalf of the Planning and Building Committee, I move the adoption of
the foregoing resolution.
PLANNIVG AND BUILDING COMMITTEE
PLANNING & BUILDING COMMITTEE VOTE:
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Five-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013-2017
CHAPTER 1
Executive Summa
Introduction
Welcome
Welcome to the Five-Year Park and Recreation Master Plan 2013-2017. The Recreation Plan is designed to guide
the staff and decision makers of the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission (OCPRC) over the next five
years as they provide park and recreation services to the residents of Oakland County and strive to improve the
social, environmental and fiscal sustainability of the parks system. This commitment to excellence is captured in
the mission of the organization:
"The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission is dedicated to providing quality recreation
experiences that encourage healthy lifestyles, support economic prosperity, and promote the
protection of natural resources."
A fundamental goal of the Parks Commission is to increase public participation in Oakland County Parks and
Recreation while increasing cost recovery organization-wide.
Recreation Plan Process
Completion of the Recreation Plan is an important milestone in OCPRC's effort to develop an integrated in-house
planning process. Within this process, the responsibility for the overall planning process and major products is held
by OCPRC staff, with assistance from consultants for specific planning efforts. Over the next five years, this will
result in a "Planning Portfolio" that integrates planning at all levels (park system, park, facility, and project) and
incorporates system-wide plans for technology and other support services.
The planning process for this Recreation Plan was facilitated by the six-member Master Planning Team and guided
by input from the public, Parks Commission and staff (50 staff members from all units of OCPRC directly
participated in the planning process). Plan development was guided by the Guidelines for the Development of
Community Park, Recreation, Open Space, and Green way Plans provided by the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources (MDNR). (See Chapter 7: Planning Process).
Advances in the Last Five Years
Adoption of this Recreation Plan by the Parks Commission marks the midpoint in OCPRC's progress in
implementing the 2008 Strategic Plan. The comprehensive strategic planning process that occurred 2006-08
culminated in major advances for OCPRC. Here are a few examples:
el The effectiveness of the departments that support the delivery of park and recreation services is
enhanced by a reorganized staff structure (Ch. 3, pp. 3-5), new asset management and point-of-sale
tracking mechanisms (Ch. 4, pp. 14), and new investment in technology (Ch. 8, pp.30).
By designing the delivery of recreational programs and services around core program areas, such as
volunteer services, nature education and adaptive recreation, OCPRC is now able to provide services
where they are most needed, such as within urbanized areas, and not only within the boundaries of
Oakland County Parks (Ch. 5, pp. 14-16).
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Five-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013-2017
• Prioritized 15-year forecasts for infrastructure improvements are helping ensure that Oakland County
Parks will continue to provide residents with safe, up-to-date, and accessible recreational facilities (App.
A, pp. 131-150).
• And OCPRC's commitment to science-based natural resources management in Oakland County Parks and
participation in regional stewardship initiatives is its promise to future generations that the woodlands,
wetlands and grasslands that are Oakland County's natural heritage are here to stay (Ch. 7, pp. 45-51).
This Recreation Plan, with its strategic action plan (Ch. 9, pp. 9-44), effectively updates the goals and strategies of
the 2008 Strategic Plan; continued implementation of the 2008 Strategic Plan will be accomplished through
implementation of this Recreation Plan.
Relevance to State and Federal Programs and Initiatives
Acquisition of land and development of recreational facilities over the 46-year history of the Oakland County Parks
system has been greatly assisted by funding from the State of Michigan through its grant programs, including the
Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) (See Appendix
C: Grant Inventory). Adoption of this Recreation Plan is a requirement for eligibility to submit grant applications to
the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) grant programs.
Two major planning documents from the State of Michigan were released in 2012. The Michigan State Parks and
Outdoor Recreation Blue Ribbon Panel released its recommendations on Michigan's system of parks and
recreational facilities; and MDNR released the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2013-2018
(SCORP). The SCORP is a five-year strategic plan designed to help shape investment by the state and local
communities in recreation and a tool that guides Michigan's participation with federal initiatives, such as President
Obama's America's Great Outdoors Initiative. Reference to Michigan's major planning documents will be
invaluable as OCPRC implements this Recreation Plan and will help-ensure that OCPRC's actions work hand-in-hand
with the state and federal initiatives that promote health and wellness, economic prosperity, and a strengthened
regional identify.
Looking Forward
Land and Natural Resource Management
Land acquisition strategies that focus on opportunities to protect and restore natural areas, protect water quality,
and increase or establish trail and green infrastructure continue to be a priority. Urbanized areas of Oakland
County, however, have limited potential for this traditional acquisition focus and OCPRC is expanding its
acquisition vision to include exploring opportunities for redevelopment and adaptive re-use of sites where
development or other disturbances have already occurred. Effective natural resource management of Oakland
County Parks is a key element of implementing the Green Infrastructure Vision of Oakland County and, OCPRC,
through its Natural Resource Management program, will continue to increase the proportion of the natural areas
within its parks that are being actively Hicilidged for the purpose of increasing biological diversity, protecting water
resources, and controlling invasive species. (See Chapter 9: Strategic Action Plan, pp. 9-11 for the Land and Natural
Resource Management action program; See Chapter 5: Recreational Resources and Chapter 6: Land Acquisition and
Management for information supporting the action program).
Recreation Facilities
Recent advances in OCPRC's planning process will continue over the next five years with all parks undergoing the
park master planning process and new implementation and business planning processes that acknowledge the
uniqueness of various facility types. Accessibility of all aspects of the parks system will be enhanced by the
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Five-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013-2017
development and implementation of an Accessibility Transition Plan that considers facility, programming,
information and other aspects of accessibility. Trail development will be assisted by the development of trail
standards and their application to all trail projects.
Planning for specific park improvements is an important function of the Recreation Plan and is based on existing
capital improvement and major maintenance plans and facility concept documents. All projects proposed in the
Recreation Plan will undergo detailed facility planning and are subject to the review and approval by the Parks
Commission before implementation. Here are some highlights of proposed park improvements over the next five
years:
• Addison Oaks — boathouse replacement, new picnic pavilions, installation of yurts, and establishment of
trail connectivity with the Polly Ann Trail; potential dog park development; park master planning process
is scheduled for 2013
• Catalpa Oaks — completion of playing fields and parking lots that complement the newly-constructed
accessible concession, restrooms and play areas
• Glen Oaks — installation of a new putting green; improvements to infrastructure, including construction of
a new bridge of the Pebble Creek Drain; park master planning process is scheduled for 2015
• Groveland Oaks replacement of play structure and concession; installation of yurts; potential dog park
development; restroom and shower renovations, construction of fishing docks; new campground and day
use restrooms; park master planning process is scheduled for 2013
• Highland Oaks — design and construction of parking lot; trail development; dock construction; park master
planning process is scheduled for 2014
• Independence Oaks — boat house and launch construction; boardwalk and trail construction; estate
house remodel; picnic shelter; fishing dock replacement; park master planning process is scheduled for
2014
6 Lyon Oaks — new contact station; cricket field and dog park lighting; small dog park pavilion; park master
planning process is scheduled for 2015
▪ Orion Oaks — dog park pavilion; pole barn construction; park master planning process is scheduled for
2016
• Red Oaks — dog park and golf course stormwater reclamation; dog park shade structures; walking/biking
trails; waterpark security system and shade structures; facility planning process is scheduled for 2013
• Rose Oaks —trail development; park master planning process is scheduled for 2016
• Springfield Oaks — bleacher replacement; potential dog park development; restroom/shower
replacement; fishing pond/storm water system renovation; Davisburg Dam improvements; park master
planning process is scheduled for 2013
▪ Waterford Oaks — dog park development; picnic pavilions; toboggan run repairs; new waterpark feature
(to be determined), pavilion, and bathhouse improvements; county market improvements; irrigation
improvements; and storm water management improvements; facility planning process is scheduled for
2013
6 White Lake Oaks — first tee renovation; addition of maintenance and storage buildings; park master
planning process is scheduled for 2015
(See Chapter 9: Strategic Action Plan, pp. 12-25 for the Recreation Facilities action program; See Chapters:
Recreational Resources and Chapter 7: Planning Process for information supporting the action program)
qAKLAND rion;iii67:1;1:0 Chapter 1: Executive Summary — Page 3
Five-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013-2017
Recreation Programs and Services
Planning for recreation programs and services includes park programs that are facilitated by operations staff, such
as campground, greenhouse/horticulture, county market, golf, and dog park programs. Staff of the Recreation
Programs and Services unit of OCPRC supports these programs as well as facilitating programs and events in the
parks and out in the community. The overall planning focus is on targeted geographic distribution of services and
the delivery of services to all age groups. The concept of core service areas will continue to apply specialized skills
and equipment to the delivery of programs and events to the residents of Oakland County. Proposed advances in
core service areas include:
• Adaptive Recreation Programs — expanded collaboration with accessibility partners; development of a
Adaptive Recreation Resource Guide; new programs for autism, developmental disabilities, and disabled
veterans
• Volunteer Services — updates to Volunteer Manual; creation of Volunteer Management Manual with staff
guidelines for effective volunteer management
• Nature Education and Interpretation — creation of Nature Education Programs and Services Plan;
renovation of exhibit collections; development of new partnerships
• Special Events — development of "Signature Events" and increased partnership planning and tracking of
the outreach impacts of all special events
• Mobile Recreation and Outreach — planning focus on the geographic distribution of mobile recreation
services, evaluation of mobile recreation inventory; and review of standards for safety and compliance
(See Chapter 9: Strategic Action Plan, pp. 13-34 for the Recreation Programs and Services action program; See
Chapter 5: Recreational Resources and Chapter 7: Planning Process for information supporting the action program)
Organizational Sustainability
Organizational sustainability is moved forward first and foremost by continued actions to develop an effective
organizational structure and support staff with training and career development, clear performance and customer
service standards, and effective management. Advances in technology will continue, including expanded use of
asset management and point-of-sale tracking tools and the availability of technology that improves and enhances
the park experience, such as wireless networks, online reservation systems, and multi-media tours.
Knowledge by the public of OCPRC's recreational resources and opportunities will be enhanced by a new branding
strategy, followed by updated signs for wayfinding and interpretation that will put a fresh face on OCPRC's parks
and facilities. Effective collection of public input paired with a thoughtful response to that input is the desired
outcome of a comprehensive public engagement strategy, which will integrate the county-wide needs assessment
with the surveys, focus groups, partner interviews and other tools that are used to inform and guide park, facility
and program plans.
In addition to continued in Li ee5 in the management of natural resources, OCPRC will reduce the environmental
impact of Oakland County Parks through a series of actions that reduce energy usage, promote recycling, utilize
environmentally-friendly materials, and prevent pollution.
Fiscal sustainability actions are important to OCPRC's stewardship of public funds. It will be improved through the
development of a service portfolio that establishes cost recovery targets for all park and recreation services and
management guidelines to assist staff in achieving desired outcomes. An integrated contributions program will
support all areas of the organization as they work to increase cost-effectiveness by identifying alternate funding
sources, such as grants, donations, and sponsorships,
qAKLAND
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Chapter 1: Executive Summary— Page 5
Five-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2013-2017
(See Chapter 9: Strategic Action Plan, pp. 35-44 for the Organizational Sustainability action program; See Chapter
3: Organizational Structure, Chapter 4: Budget and Finance and Chapter 7: Planning Process for information
supporting the action program)
Evaluation of Outcomes
The design of the Recreation Plan is focused on planning for specific outcomes that are measurable and linked with
timelines. OCPRC will measure progress on achieving specific outcomes at two levels (See Chapter 9: Strategic
Action Plan). The Tracking Metrics provided in the action matrices will be used internally to assist staff in tracking
progress at completing specific deliverables. The Performance Metrics will measure the impact of OCPRC actions
on larger organizational outcomes and set targets for changes in those outcomes. Examples include participation,
cost recovery, area of land under active management, and geographic distribution of services. The Performance
Metrics are currently under development, as well as a Dashboard reporting mechanism that will be used to report
to the Parks Commission and the public on a quarterly and annual basis.
Resolution #13041 March 6,2013
Moved by Bosnic supported by Quarles the resolutions (with fiscal notes attached) on the Consent
Agenda be adopted (with accompanying reports being accepted).
AYES: Dwyer, Gershenson, Gosselin, Hatchett, Hoffman, Jackson, Long, Matis, McGillivray,
Middleton, Quarles, Scott, Spisz, Weipert, Woodward, Zack. (18)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolutions (with fiscal notes attached) on the Consent
Agenda were adopted (with accompanying reports being accepted).
o'Th
I HEREBY APr1 THIS RESOLUTION
CHIEF DEK v EXECUTIVE
ACTING PURSUANT TO WICL 45.559A (7)
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Lisa Brown, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and
accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on March 6, 2013,
with the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County of Oakland at
Pontiac, Michigan this 6th day of March, 2013.
ifri-Pger-/
Lisa Brown, Oakland County