Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces - Moreno Valley

CHAPTER 4–P ARKS , R EC . & OPEN SPACE MORENO VALLEY GENERAL PLAN4.3.2. Park Planning and User NeedsMany of the issues presented in the 1988General Plan relate to the formula drivenstandards set by the National Recreation &Parks Association (NRPA). Since that time,the NRPA has taken a more deferentialapproach to community judgment withrespect to sizing the different types of parks.Many communities felt the nationallyprescribed minimums by park type were notfeasible. The NRPA’s approach is needbased. It recognizes that each communityhas unique needs and it should determinewhat mix of facilities best meet its needswithin its own financial ability. The processallows a wider range of opportunities forcitizens to become active stakeholders andmore involved in the decision-makingprocess.Moreno Valley should select a facility menuthat best suits the needs of its citizens.Naturally not every need can beaccommodated under this process,however, rational basis for allocatingresources and maximizing recreationbenefits can be established. Rather than seta standard such as one baseball diamondfor every 6,000 people, the City’s park andrecreation facilities should be able tochange as needs, tastes, types ofequipment and leisure choices change overtime.The NRPA recommends market researchand community involvement in parkplanning. Specialized facilities should bedeveloped only with strong market data tosupport a need for facilities. In some cases,these needs could be filled by the privatesector.Adopting this approach, Moreno Valleyinvolved the community in identifying keyrecreational and open space issues andpriorities. The process involved focus groupsand interviews, children and youthinvolvement and community issuesworkshops to determine the priority issues.The residents expressed a desire for a newgymnasium/multi-purpose facility, a regionalpark and a performing arts/cultural center.Another top priority issue was the integrationof equestrian, pedestrian and bicycling trailsinto open space, parks, residentialdevelopments and the larger regional trailsystem.Top priorities among elementary and middleschool students were amusement parks,water parks, team sports and the naturalworld. Top priorities among middle schoolto high school students includedskateboarding, rollerblading, roller hockey,team sports, and go-kart riding.In response to the community’s expresseddesires, a skate facility for roller blading,skateboarding and roller hockey wasconstructed in 2003. The facility is locatedat 15415 6 th Street on property leased fromthe March Joint Powers Authority. Inaddition, a multi-purpose community centerwas constructed in 2005 at the southwestcorner of Alessandro Blvd. and FrederickStreet, The community center includes agymnasium and other recreation facilities aswell as facilities for conferences, banquetsand the performing arts.Page 4-7 July 11, 2006