1.2. Action: Establish Minimum Development and Legacy Standards This action defines a set of standards to guide the JCPRD priorities of providing parks and recreation and protecting natural resources. The standards address initial park development processes and typical park elements that create a recognizable JCPRD brand experience. They establish a baseline and a set of program elements residents of Johnson County can anticipate in first phase park development, and typical elements patrons can expect to find in JCPRD parks. Combined, these items can provide JCPRD an internal process to identify and protect natural resources, program and open parkland, and provide residents of Johnson County with clear expectations for parks within the district. Recommendations are: 1.2.1. Minimum Development Standards (Initial Park Development) 1.2.2. Additional Park Police Officers and Park Police Substations in Regional Parks 1.2.3. Legacy Standards 1.2.1. Minimum Development Standards (Initial Park Development) The opening of undeveloped parkland for public access and use requires a balance of amenities and infrastructure to attract patrons and meet the expectations of a JCPRD park or facility. In recent years, the inventory of undeveloped parkland has resulted in pressures to open properties to public access with limited funding available for development, operations, and maintenance. In response to these pressures, a minimal development approach was employed at two new park properties: Camp Branch Glade and Stilwell Community Park. These recent park openings have received critical response from the surrounding community as having not met the JCPRD brand experience. A standard for initial park investment should be established, and this standard cannot be defined by only a budget number. The key to successful park investment phases requires communication and understanding. Available funding and community expectations need to be communicated to result in parks that provide destination amenities meeting the JCPRD brand expectations from the initial opening. There needs to be an understanding of what can be accomplished in a development phase and what partnerships may allow for amenity development beyond the JCPRD development budget. Recommendations below identify actions and development standards that define a process for initial park development. 1.2.1.1. Master Plan: Prior to any phase of development, a current master plan for the park should be in place. This master plan will provide park-specific direction regarding natural resource protection and amenity development to meet local needs and county-wide expectations, resulting in a purposeful implementation phase that will attract a significant user base. This plan and the public planning process will also convey to the community the bigger vision for the park, and enable them to see how this initial phase is a building block for the greater plan. Master plans are critical to guide improvements of existing amenities and development of new JCPRD parks and facilities. It is recommended that all park properties have a current master plan prior to implementing major renovations or new development.
50 | legacy plan
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JCPRD properties without master plans: The future Big Bull Creek Park is scheduled for master planning in 2015, and the future Camp Branch Park is scheduled for master planning in 2017. The Meadowbrook property should be master planned in 2015 or 2016 depending on timeline for implementation.
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As noted previously, all parks will require master plan updates within the 15-year period of this plan. The Kill Creek Park and TimberRidge Adventure Center master plan was prepared in 1998 and will need to be updated prior to major renovations.