Chattahoochee Hills Parks Commission 2013 STRATEGIC PLANNING UPDATE July 9,

OUR VISION FOR THE PARKS We envision Chattahoochee Hills as a community where public parks are symbols of our commitment to respect, cherish, and celebrate the land, and engage residents and visitors in learning about nature and our relationship to it. 2

OUR MISSION The Chattahoochee Hills Parks Commission is committed to the preservation, protection, restoration, and acquisition of the city’s parks. It will ensure the best use of our parks as places for recreation, contemplation and learning, by providing facilities, programs and opportunities appropriate to the character of the individual parks and the needs of the community. 3

CURRENT RESOURCES & STRENGTHS We own the parks. The city vision is one that places high value on parks and other open spaces, as codified in the 70%/30% rule for land use. There is an enthusiastic Parks Commission, supported by the City’s highly professional staff, and structured in a way that allows for hands-on involvement by volunteers. 4

There is strong leadership on behalf of our parks by the Mayor and Council. The City has valuable alliances with nonprofit civic groups that bring important resources to its work: o Friends of Chattahoochee Hills Parks o Chattahoochee Hills Country Conservancy o Community Brickworks o Chattahoochee Hills Charter School o Cochran Mill Nature Center o Serenbe Institute and National Endowment for the Arts 5

The parks are high priorities for the City’s public safety staff. The parks have significant public support, and are seen as a positive community force in serving our residents. The NEA Our Town project will hold some number of public meetings or charrettes. These will be an opportunity for public input and buy-in for the Parks Commission’s plans. 6

CURRENT OBSTACLES The shifting demographics in the city have resulted in a mismatch of the current population to current resources. The parks’ public image as community priorities is not sufficiently strong or “sexy”. Communication about the parks must be broadened to encourage unengaged volunteers to come forth. 7

There are significant community priorities seeking financial support that might otherwise be available to the parks: Chattahoochee Hills Charter School, Cochran Mill Nature Center, public safety and other city needs. Controlling the misuse of the parks consumes law-enforcement resources that might be used elsewhere in the community. 8

NEEDS OF THE PARK SYSTEM A consistent and dependable funding source Greater public engagement to make the parks a higher civic priority and increase the number of users and volunteers A coordinated communication plan about the parks: activities, resources, rules, parking, etc. More staff and political support 9

NEEDS IN HUTCHESON FERRY PARK A clear definition of the park’s uses and their impact on the neighborhood A master plan for the park to accommodate those uses Open the rear acreage to access more of the park’s resources Settle any unresolved reservoir issues with Palmetto 10

NEEDS IN COCHRAN MILL PARK Clear definition of the park’s uses and a master plan to accommodate them Improved signage (Our Town designs) Improved system for trail maintenance Implementation of the RTP grant if awarded Creation of an RTP/PATH usage plan 11

NEEDS IN RICO PARK Improved image of the park as a traditional “hometown” ballpark, including the look of gates, dugouts, seating areas, etc. (Our Town designs) Completion of the woodland trail Improve the design of the city hall swale and park 12

NEEDS IN RIVER PARK Clear definition of the park’s uses and its relationship to the river A master plan to accommodate those uses Pursue the Blue Water trails initiative Identify and assess income producing opportunities Address bush-hogging needs to ensure ease of access 13

14 NEEDSUSESASSETS/ACTIONS REQUIRED PARKS SYSTEM  Funding source  Public engagement  Coordinated communication plan  More staff and political support  System-wide master plan Initiate parking fees Develop other earned income sources and aggressively pursue grants Develop parks specific and system-wide master plan Use Our Town project as a design and art resource for the parks HUTCHESON FERRY PARK  Public engagement  Coordinated communication plan  More staff and political support  Funding source  System-wide master plan 1.Large events: festivals, music and theater, other 2.Nature “lite”: trails, picnicking, solitary activities, reunions & family events 3.Cyclist parking Master plan Bathrooms, staging, seating area and concession stands Easy grade trail More picnic tables and trash cans better sited Designated parking area and temporary bathrooms RICO PARK  Improve look of gates, dugouts, seating areas, etc. (Our Town designs)  Woodland trail development  City Hall swale and park 1.Team sports: league and family baseball, horseshoes, volley ball, tether ball 2.Children’s arts and crafts programs, music and theater classes 3.Children’s environmental education programs: structured in library, informal family in park 4.Social/family gatherings: informal events, formal events renting entire park Horseshoe pits Nets, balls and tether Misc. sports equipment Better library teaching facilities Pavilion and picnic table; bathrooms and concession stand

15 COCHRAN MILL PARK  Improved signage  Planning and design charrette for master plan  Trail maintenance  RTP grant award  RTP/PATH usage plan 1.Primitive camping 2.Cabin camping 3.Trails: hikers/runners, equestrian, cyclists 4.Other a.Gatherings/picnics b.School field trips c.Orienteering d.Festivals e.Re-enactments f.Commercial  Confirm current usage  Confirm location boundaries  Assess multiple uses of the field when campers present  Cost/benefit analysis  Master plan and Our Town facilities design  Site plan and capital cost estimates  Staffing and operating cost projections  Completion of RTP and environmental assessments  Our Town signage design  Establish policies and ordinances RIVER PARK  Use analysis and master plan developing a relationship to the river  Pursue Blue Water trails initiative  Income producing opportunities  Bush-hogging 1.Hunting 2.River activities 3.Other: a.Paintball b.Gatherings and picnics c.Trails, camping and parking  Set lease terms (1 lease only)  Conduct sealed-bid auction  Identify concession mix  Develop business plan  Determine river access points  Develop business plans  Table and other picnicking equipment  Develop overall master plan

Next Steps July o FOCHP and City Staff active participation with the Commission o Address issues of feasibility, cost and timing of acquiring the asset needed or the actions required to implement this plan o Exploration of potential funding sources, both cash and in-kind 16

17 August o The draft plan submitted for review by City staff to ensure compliance o The draft plan submitted for public review and comment (method TBD) September o Plan revision and final draft October o Plan submitted to Mayor & Council for adoption o Annual review in cooperation with FOCHP and City staff