cedar rapids parks openhouse boards
TRANSCRIPT
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PURPOSEThe purpose of this first open house is to get feedback on the Citys parks
and recreation needs, public participation process, and work to date. This
Master Plan Process will include information on specific elements of the
plan, including:
community life center.
WELCOME
Open House No. 1 Needs, existing facilities, process, work to date.
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Open House No. 2 Master Plan Facility and Programming Options
Location to be determined
Open House No 3 Master Plan Final Selected Facility
Tentative Open House Schedule
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The ChallengeThis Parks & Recreation Master Plan
Open House Process must address the
following questions:
to make to address quality of life needs,
competition with other Midwestern
meet the communitys parks and
recreation indoor and outdoor needs
and ensure the system is sustainable and
Recreation Master Plan impact flood
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2003
facilities and programs.2007 City Parks and Recreation departments combine to become
one united department.
2008 City begins process of its first Parks and Recreation
were completed.
June 11-13, 2008
of at least $3 billion in Cedar Rapids, including some damages
August 2008 Parks Master planning process resumes and a post
June 23, 2009 First of three Parks & Recreation Master Plan
Open House held.
Other Related Processes:
P.L.A.Y.
facility (2005 to date).
Greenway
Riverfront Uses
Master Plan Chronology
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A Parks and Recreation Master Plan will:
priorities to ensure a system that meets
community needs.
strategies consistent with City capabilities.
land acceptance standards and operational
efficiencies.
demonstrating community need and support.
changes (i.e. boomers entering retirement
needs).
What is a Parks & Recreation
Master Plan and why do we need it?
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What is the value of our
open space and recreation system?
open space and recreational opportunities
by attracting businesses and retaining
current residents.
and future generations.
crime, with a focus on youth crime.
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taxpayers can afford.
residents and the next generation of workers.
needs are met and are affordable for
the community.
recreational system.
the parks and recreation system as prioritiesare set to meet operational funding constraints.
th h th t il t
Master Plan Project Goals
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Overview of Parks and Recreation System
The City's existing Parks and Recreation System consists of the following:
Parks and Open Space
There are 3,091 acres of named park areas, excluding golf courses, at 57
sites. An additional 60 parcels of land comprising 268 acres are located
throughout the City.
The majority of this acreage is in large parks such as Ellis Park and the
Tuma Complex.
There are also many small parks that serve the City's neighborhoods and
areas that are natural and undeveloped.
The Riverfront
Approximately 1700 acres.
48 percent of the Citys open space and natural areas are within FEMAdesignated flood plains. 80 percent of this property is a natural area,
greenway or open land.
Indoor Recreation
3 functioning indoor facilities Bender Pool, Ambroz Recreation Center,
and Noelridge Greenhouse.
2 indoor facilities destroyed by the flood Time Check Recreation Centerand the Riverside Roundhouse.
Trails
24 miles of existingtrails.
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How Do We Pay?
Funding Challenges
Public funding is needed to support parks and recreation systems. The primary
source of funding in Iowa is the property tax.
Opportunities for park and recreation user fees and charges are limited.
Unfortunately, other funding sources that are available in other states are not available
in Iowa. These include:
Park Impact Fee (fees to fund new parks to serve new residentialdevelopment) is allowed but often challenged by developers.
Park Land Dedication Requirements need more specific landacquisition criteria to assure dedicated land is appropriate for needed and
intended use.
Special Taxing Districts also rely on property taxes.
Sales Tax recent passage of a one percent sales tax has limited some of thatcapacity.
Grant funding is limited and competitive with a high level of community
redevelopment needs.
CIP Break do wn
FY 2010
Parks
($ 812,936)
Recreation
($ 28,000)
Riverfront
($ 0)Aquatics
($ 212,500)
Ushers Ferry
($ 0)
Budget BreakdownFY 2010
Parks($ 3,149,477)
Parks & RecreationTotal = $ 7,569,711
Recreation($ 2,790,840)
Aquatics($ 1,351,756)
Ushers Ferry($ 277,638)
In future Open Houses, citizens will weigh in on prioritizing the use of funds.Options to help balance budgets include:
repurposing under utilized parkland;
reducing the amount of maintenance required; and,
increasing fees to support expanded parkland.
Pro e rty Ta u sid y($ 5,265,178)
Parks & Recreation
Tota l = $ 7,569,711
icenses & Per its($ 16,000)
harges For er ices($ 1,844,524)
Rents & Royalties($ 294,619)
i sc Re enue($ 53,190)
Trans ers n($ 96,200)
Funding ourcesFY 2010
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What challenges for the Parks System were created by the 2008 Flood?
The 2008 Flood had a wide range of impacts to the existing Parks
and Recreation system:
Temporarily impacted operationally
The Sac and Fox Greenway, for example was impassable
during the flood.
Moderately impacted / Needed repairForty-six of the City's parks and recreation properties
were impacted; thirteen of these were in need of repair.
One site is 100 percent repaired, the other properties are
approximately 40 percent repaired.
Significantly damaged / Candidate for replacement
Riverside Park's Roundhouse and the Time Check
Recreation Center.
New park space created
The City's adopted Flood Management Strategy created 220
acres of new park space (Greenway) between the flood
protection line and the Cedar River.
The Park System, at the same time, fulfilled one of its purposes byhelping to offset some of the flood's impact on the community by
storing water, absorbing water, and by preventing development in
flood-prone areas.
City-Owned Parks Affected by the 2008 Flood
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What does the Community think about the existing Parks System?
A survey conducted by the Cedar Rapids Park and Recreation
Department in 2008 was mailed to 7,000 households. More than 829
individuals responded (a 12 percent response rate). Some of the
findings include:
Highest in Overall Satisfaction
(Percentage of respondents to respond '"Excellent")
Park Maintenance (77 percent)
Trail Maintenance (77 percent)
Parks and recreation programming (68 percent)
Most important concerns for City to address to
increase use of parks and facilities
Better condition of parks
More trails
Greater awareness of programs (increased communication)
Top three priorities for park and facility development
Improve existing parks
Develop more trails
Add an outdoor event facility
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
24%
14%
13%
11%
7%
3%
4%
5%
5%
3%
2%
13%
12%
12%
9%
14%
7%
5%
4%
3%
4%
3%
7%
13%
11%
12%
9%
6%
7%
5%
3%
3%
4%
36%
31%
30%
16%
14%
10%
10%
8%
13%
42%
39%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50
Trails (Cedar River/Sac & Fox)
Picnic shelters/pavilions
Outdoor swimming pool and aquatic centers
Playgrounds
Neighborhood walking trails (Cherokee Park/Cherry Hill Park)
Splash pads
Urban fishing (Mcleod run/Robin's lake)
Dog park (off-leash areas)
Baseball fields
Softball fields
Developed park land
Percent Responding
Most important
Second most important
Third most important
Most important outdoor facilities
to be added, expanded, or improved
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Parks and Open Space System - Goals and Principles
Provide a high level of service for parks, natural areas, and greenways.
Provide an appropriate distribution and diversity of parks, natural
areas, and greenways.
Maintain parks, natural areas, and greenways to meet community
expectations.
Provide a system of parks, natural areas, and greenways that include
active and passive recreational opportunities within walking distance
of all urban residential development.
Provide a park system that is sustainable for future generations.
Developed Parks are manicured open spaces with paved areas,
mowed lawns, and active recreation. They support many activities
and require a high level of maintenance.
Natural Areas require less maintenance and financial investmentthan developed parks.
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Parks and Open Space System - Survey Highlights
Top five most important outdoor facilities to be added,expanded, or improved:
Trails (Cedar River/Sac & Fox)
Picnic shelters/pavilions
Outdoor swimming pool and aquatic centersPlaygrounds
Neighborhood walking trails
(Cherokee Park/Cherry Hill Park)
Parks and recreation values and preferences responses
82 percent would like a mix of parks that incorporates
both native and manicured parks.
82 percent value having active recreation opportunities in
the parks near their home.
80 percent feel it is important to have a park withinwalking distance of home.
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What were the results of the
Level of Service Analysis?
The level of service was analyzed in two ways: how wellneighborhoods are served in general and how walkable the park andrecreation system is. The results showed:
General Access*
85 percent of Cedar Rapids has neighborhood access to parks;of that, 62 percent has service that meets or exceeds the target.
The airport and agricultural lands comprise much of the areasthat do not have service.
Walkable Access**
57 percent of Cedar Rapids has walkable access to parks; of that,
23 percent is meeting targets. Overall 34 percent of Cedar Rapids has walkable access to
service that is meeting target levels.
There are significant areas that do not have access to parks andrecreation within walking distance from home.
Walkable level of service is higher for areas near trails.
There is a lower level of service in growing areas of Cedar Rapids.
Much of the service available to lower density residential areas isbeing provided by schools.
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What are residents priorities for Parks (in flood-affected areas)?
The four-month Neighborhood Planning Process, from January to Mayof 2009, worked with citizens to develop Area Plans and to begin Action
Plans for flood-affected neighborhoods. The information from the Parks
and Recreation Master Plan will be incorporated into the Action Plans
being carried out in the future.
Feedback regarding Park priorities from the NeighborhoodPlanning Process included:
A range of new open spaces, including mini-parks, neighborhood
parks and community parks
More sports fields close to downtown
Outdoor Event Spaces
Pet-friendly areas
Feedback on interests for Specific Parks:
An expanded Greene Square Park
A new park on the West side of the Cedar River
A revitalized Time Check Park connected to the Greenway
EllisHarbor
Cedar Valley(Rompot)
O Ave
TimeCheck
CzechVillage
NewBohemia
I-380
F Ave
E Ave
5TH
Ave
16TH
Ave
6TH
St
1STAve
3RD A
ve
8TH Av
e
12TH A
ve
16
TH Ave
10THSt
CSt
E d
g e w o o
d R
d
EllisBlvd
TaylorArea
8THSt
5THSt
Oak HillJackson
CedarLake
3RDSt
1ST Av
e
Wilson Ave SW
Bow
lingStSW
N
0 2,500 ft,
TimeCheck Park
EllisPark
Ellis ParkGolf Course
ShawneePark
ApachePark
ClevelandPark
VeteransMemorial
Park
MurdochLinwood
CemeteryCzech
NationalCemetery
HayesPark
RiversidePark
GreeneSquarePark
Oak HillCemetery
St. JohnsCemetery
VanVechten
Park
DanielsPark
IroquoisPark
Cedar ValleyPark
UrbanFishery
ShaverPark
ManhattanRobbins
Lake Park
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Parks and Open Space System -
Challenges
Land within dense urban residentialdevelopments may be hard to acquire, ifnecessary for expanding parkland to meetminimum goals.
Some park components, such as destinationplaygrounds and outdoor pools cannot beoffered within each developed park due tocost of construction and operations.
Parkland located within the floodplain mayhave restricted uses, excluding fencing andstructures.
Balancing the needs for neighborhood parksand development of the Greenway.
Supporting operations to maintain 220additional acres of green space along the
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Parks and Open Space System - Questions
Which types of parks are most important to you? Smallerneighborhood parks (Kenwood, Apache, Shawnee)?
Larger community parks (Jones, Ellis, Bever)? A balanced
mix of the two?
What types of activities are most important to you as
a park user? Sports Fields? Multi-use lawn areas? Picnicareas? Walking trails? Something else?
Do you prefer to use park spaces that are developed and
mowed or natural and undeveloped?
Which parks do you currently use?
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What is the Cedar Rapids Riverfront and why is it important?
The Cedar Rapids Riverfront extends from Seminole Valley Usher's Ferry to
the north, through the City of Cedar Rapids, to Cheyenne Park to the south.
Prior to the Flood, the Downtown Vision 2007 for Cedar Rapids recognized
the revitalization of the Riverfront as a top priority:
to create a centralized destination for Greater Cedar Rapids
to provide civic places and spaces for gathering on the river; and,to create continuous public access via trails and connected park spaces.
1 inch = 2,000 ft
0 10,000 ft
N
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The Flood Management System - The Greenway
Following the 2008 Flood, the City and its citizens mobilized to
create a plan for reinvestment and recovery. During the first
phase of planning, the River Corridor Redevelopment Process, a
flood management strategy was identified to provide greater flood
protection for the community.
Cedar Rapids new flood management system will include riverwalls,
levees and a 220-acre open space between the levees and floodwalls
and the river. This new space, called "The Greenway, " will help to
absorb flood waters and will become a community recreational area.
Area of non-structuralflood control
Greenway
Levee Gate or Levee opening
Existing Parks
Floodwall Bridge Improvement
Important Cross-River connection
EllisHarbor
Cedar Valley(Rompot)
O Ave
TimeCheck
CzechVillage
NewBohemia
I-380
F Ave
E Ave
5TH
Ave
16TH
Ave
6TH
St
1STAve
3RD A
ve
8TH Av
e
12TH A
ve
16
TH Ave
10THSt
CSt
E d
g e w o o
d R
d
EllisBlvd
TaylorArea
8THSt
5THSt
Oak HillJackson3RD
St
1ST Av
e
Wilson Ave SW
Bow
lingStSW
Edgewood
N0 2,500 ft,
CedarLake
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Within this 220-acre Greenway, 192 properties were deemed eligiblefor acquisition through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Properties acquired through this program carry permanent restrictions
on what can be developed. These restrictions are:
Allowable Uses:
Open Air Structures
Public Restrooms
Camping
Agriculture
Unpaved roads, trails
Boat ramps, docks, piers for public recreation
Multi-purpose fields
Uses Not Allowed:
Enclosed Structures
Indoor Performance Venue
Indoor Pavilion
Impermeable Surfaces
Paved Sports Courts
Swimming Pools
Paved Streets
Restrictions on the Greenways Use
GreenwayBuyout Parcels
Construction AreaBuyout Parcels
Neighborhood RevitalizationParcels
EllisHarbor
Cedar Valley(Rompot)
O Ave
TimeCheck
CzechVillage
NewBohemia
I-380
F Ave
E Ave
5TH
Ave
16TH
Ave
6TH
St
1STAve
3RD A
ve
8TH Av
e
12TH A
ve
16
TH Ave
10THSt
CSt
E d
g e w o o
d R
d
EllisBlvd
TaylorArea
8THSt
5THSt
Oak HillJackson3RD
St
1ST Av
e
Wilson Ave SW
Bow
lingStSW
N
0 2,500 ft,
CedarLake
Flood-affectedParcels
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What are residents' priorities for the Riverfront?
Feedback specific to the Riverfront from the River CorridorRedevelopment Planning Process (Phase 1) and the Neighborhood
Planning Process (Phase 2) included:
Provide activities for a range of age groups and activity levels
Promote multi-seasonal uses
Maintain views of the river from the city whenever possible; and,
Incorporate sustainable infrastructure, green building and solar/
wind power.
Activities
Active recreation areas
River walk
Outdoor event space(s)
Spaces for Public Art and Interactive Sculpture
Shops, restaurants, and pavilions along the new Greenway
Taking advantage of the landfill for views, sledding, skiing, water park
Landscape Types
Public gardens
Prairie plantings
Wetland areas
EllisHarbor
Cedar Valley(Rompot)
O Ave
TimeCheck
CzechVillage
NewBohemia
I-380
F Ave
E Ave
5TH
Ave
16TH
Ave
6TH
St
1STAve
3RD A
ve
8TH Av
e
12TH A
ve
16
TH Ave
10THSt
CSt
E d
g e w o o
d R
d
EllisBlvd
TaylorArea
8THSt
5THSt
Oak HillJackson3RD
St
1ST Av
e
Wilson Ave SW
Bow
lingStSW
N
0 2,500 ft,
Wetland/Restored River
Edge
RiverW
alk
PrairieLandscape
Great Lawn/
Sport Recreation
Plaza
Sports Fields/
Recreation
Prairie
Landscape
Urban
Park
May's
Island
City
Terra
ceRiverfront
Amphitheater
Sport
Recreation
River Walk
UrbanFishery
CedarLake
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Usher's Ferry Historic Village
Overview
Usher's Ferry Historic Village is an open living history facility featuring
exhibit buildings located on ten acres adjacent to Seminole Valley Park.
The Village produces a wide variety of workshops, programs and special
events that fulfill the mission of interpreting small town Iowa life one
hundred years ago. Programming includes tours, a Parlour Theater, school
programs, a Folk Festival, a Fairy Tale Festival, a Wild West Weekend and
Safe Halloween for Kids.
Chronology
1966 Following the 1962 flood, the City of Cedar Rapids acquires the
Seminole Valley area for flood control and expansion of the Citys well
system.
1975- 2000 Many historic homes and businesses are relocated toPioneer Village. With the arrival of the 1855 Henry Usher home in 1984,
the Village is renamed Usher's Ferry.
2008 The June 2008 flood inundates Usher's Ferry with 34 of its
36 buildings taking on anywhere from 1 foot to 15 feet of water. Six
structures are destroyed and 2,000 of 7,000 objects in the collection are
lost or destroyed.
October 2008- May 2009 More than 10,000 hours of volunteerlabor assist in recovery efforts. Over $40,000 in grants and donations are
received. Friends of Usher's Ferry receives 501C3 non-profit status in May
2009 to assist in fund raising and development.
Flooding Impact at Usher's Ferry
34 of 36 historic homes and businesses flooded.
Six structures destroyed: Log House, Tinker Shop, Livery Stable,
Blacksmiths Shed, Scale Shed, Section Hand Shed.
Approximately 2,000 of 7,000 objects in the collection lost or
destroyed.
More than 10,000 hours of volunteer labor for flood recovery since
October 2008.
Over $40,000 in grants and donations received to assist with recovery.
Volunteers have come from Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Dakota,
Missouri, and many other states to help with recovery.
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Usher's Ferry Historic Village Museum Assessment
In July of 2008, Usher's Ferry Historic Village was informed of approval for its participationin the Museum Assessment program through a grant. This is a partnership program of the
American Association of Museums and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
A committee of Usher's Ferry staff, volunteers and visitors has been meeting monthly forthe last year to complete the self-study portion of the assessment. The committee has
examined every aspect of the sites operation including its mission statement, governance,finances, interpretation theory and visitor experience.
Challenges:
Indoor programming space needed
The village needs indoor space for special events, programs and revenue-generating
rentals.
Protection from future flooding
Increased flood protection including the possibility of raising or moving buildings isneeded.
SustainabilityAlternative funding sources must be explored to increase revenue and decrease
subsidy levels for future sustainability of the Village.
Questions:
Had you visited Usher's Ferry prior to the flood? Had you taken out of town gueststo visit Usher's Ferry?
How would you rate the value of the museum to the community?
What options would you like to see studied for Usher's Ferry? (eg. move or raise
buildings for flood protection; private partnerships to decrease taxpayer funding;more indoor building space?)
Items discussed to date include:
Indoor Space A need for increased indoor space for special events,
programs and revenue generating rentals.
Flood Protection A need for increased flood protection for the Village,
including the possibility of raising or moving some Village buildings as aflood protection measure.
Building Removal The need for the removal of several Village buildings
that cannot reasonably be restored or protected from future flooding.
Decrease Taxpayer Funding The need to continue to decrease
taxpayer funding by increasing revenue generation, visitation, grant funding,
and corporate and individual contributions.
Partnerships The opportunity to create and grow partnerships witharea museums, businesses, and schools for events, funding, and educational
programming.
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What are some potential ways of programming and recreating on the River?
Community feedback during previous planning efforts has consistentlyindicated a desire for more active use of the Cedar River. Focus for
the future could include expansion, improvement or development of
opportunities such as:
Boating
Boating within Cedar Rapids is limited to the pool upstream of the 5-in-1
Dam, with access only possible at Ellis Harbor and at Mohawk Park.
A 2008 Survey of Ellis Harbor stakeholders found support for attracting
a wider public to the riverfront.
Fishing
Dedicated fishing sites on the river are generally limited to upstream of
the Dam and Cedar Lake.
The Urban Fisheries project to the south is underway and will providefurther opportunities.
River Access
Most of the walkways are significantly higher than the normal river
elevation, allowing few opportunities for physical access to the river.
Water Events
Water-based events and spectacles are currently limited. These include
water skiing shows and occasional boating events during larger City
events like the Freedom festival.
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Riverfront Questions
What waterfront uses would you like to see in theGreenway? What's missing from activities listed on the
previous boards?
What kinds of landscapes do you want to see on the
riverfront? Open lawn? Sports fields? Natural areas?
Riverwalks? Event spaces?