Comprehensive Master Plan - City of Alvin

Parks & RecreationTo assess the adequacy of the existing parks and recreation supply, it isnecessary to look at the existing population, the supply of parks provided byexisting facilities, and relate them to planning standards for desirable levels ofservice. In addition, it is necessary to consider forecasts in population todetermine future needs and identify deficiencies, if any, of the system.The assessment of need for neighborhood and community parks variesaccording to the purpose and use of the facilities. Community parks areintended to function on a large‐scale basis serving the parks and recreationneeds of an entire community, which may be within an urban area or adeveloping rural area. They are typically larger in size (10+ acres) and includefacilities and improvements for area‐wide activities and assembly events,such as picnic areas, walking/jogging trails, ball fields, and other larger scaleactivities. Ensuring adequate and equitable recreation and leisure opportunityfor all citizens is the objective of community parks.The use of neighborhood parks is intended for the residents of adjacent andnearby neighborhoods. Having service areas that encompass the entireplanning area is not as important for neighborhood parks. Rather, the focus ison the residential neighborhoodswithin a reasonable walking distance.Complete service area coverage is notnecessary for neighborhood parks;rather, it is more important to have awell‐distributed system to serve theparks and recreation needs of nearbyresidents. An acceptable walkingdistance to neighborhood parks is fourto eight blocks.Prairie Dog Park provides an acre of public open space with limited playfacilities to the adjacent and nearby neighborhoods.In addition to neighborhood andcommunity parks are those of aregional scale, which serve the needsbeyond a single community toencompass an area generally within anhours driving distance. The purpose ofregional facilities is to complement theurban facilities by providing recreationand open space areas to rural residentsand persons within the larger region.Page 4-18