City of Pontiac Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Recreation Classification System
Mini-Parks
General Description
Used to address limited, isolated, or unique recreational needs
Location Criteria
Less than a ¼ mile distance in residential setting
Size Criteria
Between 2,500 sq.ft. and 1 acre.
Acres per 1,000 Population 0.25 to 0.5
Remains the basic unit of the park system and serves as the recreational and social focus
General Description
of the neighborhood. Focus is on informal active and passive recreation.
Location Criteria
¼ to ½ mile distance and uninterrupted by non-residential roads & physical barriers
Size Criteria
5 acres is considered minimum size. 5 to 10 acres is optimal size
Acres per 1,000 Population 1.0 to 2.0
Community Parks
Serves broader purpose than neighborhood park. Focus is on meeting community-based
General Description
recreation needs, as well as preserving unique landscapes and open spaces.
Determined by the quality and suitability of the site. Usually serves two or more
Location Criteria
neighborhoods and ½ to 3 mile distance
Size Criteria
As needed to accommodate desired uses. Between 30 and 50 acres.
Acres per 1,000 Population 5.0 to 8.0
Source: National Recreation and Park Association
Neighborhood Parks
Recreation Acreage Deficiencies
Park Type
Acreage Standard per
Population
Acreage Range Based on
Standard (a)
Existing
City Park
Acreage
Surplus or
Deficiency
Mini Park 0.25 to 0.5 acres per 1,000 14.9 to 29.8 acres 7.17 Deficiency
Neighborhood Parks 1 to 2 acres per 1,000 59.5 to 119.0 acres 52.75 Deficiency
Community Parks 5 to 8 acres per 1,000 297.6 to 476.1 acres 445.90 Within Range
All Parks 6.25 to 10.25 acres per 1,000 372.0 and 624.9 acres 505.82 Within Range
Recreation Inventory Source: Wade Trim field survey, April 2011.
Footnotes:
(a) Based on 2010 Census Population of 59,515 for the City of Pontiac.
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