The county has its first Parks and Recreation Master Plan, less
than four years after the San Benito County Board of Supervisors
created the county’s first Parks and Recreation Commission.
The county has its first Parks and Recreation Master Plan, less than four years after the San Benito County Board of Supervisors created the county’s first Parks and Recreation Commission.
The board of supervisors adopted the plan, which is described as an achievable blueprint, in a unanimous vote Tuesday.
“This is an important day,” Parks and Recreation Commissioner Don Kelley said. “A lot of people put a lot of work into this plan.”
As part of the plan, the county would have to amend, and possibly increase, its building impact fees that go toward park development. County supervisors in recent weeks have expressed the need to lower impact fees as a way to attract more development.
The 150-page document outlines some of the future projects and visions for the county’s parks. The plan’s goal is to “define a vision for parks and recreation in San Benito County for the next 20-plus years, to determine the role of the county within that vision and to develop a realistic implantation program to achieve that vision.”
The process to develop the plan spanned two years, and the commission received input from local residents and organizations. Three public meetings were held to discuss the findings in late 2008 and early 2009.
The Parks and Recreation committee also issued an online-based questionnaire and conducted a “scientifically valid” telephone survey.
In the scoping process the commission determined there was an absolute need for new and improved parks. Residents also asked for more safety and to keep the area’s rural character.
Residents asked for more high school and youth sports fields. And a lot of them were dissatisfied with the county’s swimming pool availability.
“This document reflects ideas throughout the community,” Kelley said.
See the full story in the Free Lance on Tuesday.
