Comprehensive Master Plan - City of Alvin

Parks & Recreation“People, even today, wantto get away from the noiseand confusion of daily lifeand want to do so on theirown. It is not enough for aparks department to offerstructured recreationalactivities. People need tohave a place where theycan go to stroll or lie in thegrass or bicycle wheneverthe mood strikes them andnot just when it is ascheduled activity.”- Alexander Garvin in“Parks, Recreation, andOpen Space: A TwentyfirstCentury Agenda”(generally within a one‐hour driving distance), facilities for use by thewhole community (typically within a one‐mile radius), those that areused by one or more neighborhoods, as well as small playlots for use byan individual development or small area. The value of an adequate parksystem is its ability to meet the individual needs of all persons.The term “balanced” refers to a combination of indoor and outdoorfacilities as well as an adequate assortment of different types of activities(both passive and active) to meet the recreational needs of residents yearround.Given the climate during the summer months, it is particularlyimportant to offer indoor facilities and programs as well as outdooractivities that are conducive to the weather conditions.Resident comments with respect to this issue were requests for moreindoor centers for a variety of purposes, such as cultural events, youthactivities, recreational programs, and community meetings. There wasalso concern voiced as to keeping pace with new development, ensuringthat public parks are developed concurrent with the demand beinggenerated by an increasing population. The quality of facilities is also ahigher priority than the quantity of spaces as long as there is a gooddistribution of areas throughout the community.• Linking parks, schools, and neighborhoods – A system of parks andrecreation areas is not complete without linear linkages between facilitiesand connections to neighborhoods, schools, and other public use facilities.The developing trail along Mustang Bayou is an ideal example of apedestrian linkage tying together Downtown and The Depot withNational Oak Park, Prairie Dog Park, and Bob S. Owen Pool, along withthe nearby neighborhoods and schools. Continuation of this facility alongthe Bayou and branching into the adjacent neighborhoods and businessareas will serve as a spine of the community’s pedestrian recreationsystem. The use of excess rights‐of‐way along streets, alleys and railroads;utility and drainage easements; and wide shoulders along arterial streetsand rural roadways offer the benefit of linkages between facilities.Connecting each of the public parks and green areas by expanding thecurrent off‐street trail and on‐street bikeways will ultimately create aninterconnected system of public spaces that is highly desirable in Alvin.An interconnected system of bicycle and pedestrian facilities serves as aform of recreation and exercise and has an added benefit as an alternativemode of transportation. Through the community meetings, residentsPage 4-4