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New Alternatives for Calculating Parks & Recreation Level of Service (LOS)

David Barth, AICP, ASLA, CPRPDavid.Barth@aecom.com

www.aecom.com

how would you classify the following spaces?

• Park, open space, public space, recreation area, natural area, greenway? other?

• Passive or active?U bl bl ?• Useable or unusable?

• Public or private?• Accessible or inaccessible?• “Countable” towards Level of Service?

how would you classify the following spaces?

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how would you classify the following spaces? how would you classify the following spaces? how would you classify the following spaces?

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how would you classify the following spaces? how would you classify the following spaces? how would you classify the following spaces?

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how would you classify the following spaces?

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how would you classify the following spaces? how would you classify the following spaces?

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how would you classify the following spaces? how would you classify the following spaces? how would you classify the following spaces?

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how would you classify the following spaces? how would you classify the following spaces? how would you classify the following spaces?

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“A major problem for [park] advocates and managers is that parks seem relatively simple and straight forward. People frequently say , “It’s not rocket science, it’s just a park” No! For j prockets… you need to be good at math. Parks require math plus horticulture, hydrology, psychology, sociology and communication”. They are immensely complicated.”

Historic models of parks and recreation systems in the US, 1850 – present…

Cranz, Politics of Park Design, 1982Pleasure Ground, 1850 – 1900

• Relief from evils of industrial city; escape to the “country”

• Fresh air, meadows, lakes and sunshine within the city

• Unstructured enjoyment a day• Unstructured enjoyment, a day in the park: sports, music, strolling, riding, cultural events

• Mowed lawns, naturalistic plantings

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Cranz, Politics of Park Design, 1982Reform Park, 1900 – 1930

• Response to increased free time, dull office and factory work

• Moral defense against potential for “chaos” – saloons, dance halls, picture shows, etc

• 1st use of term “leisure time”• 1st use of term leisure time

• Masses incapable of undertaking their own recreation, esp. men and children

• Focus on organized activities, efficiency, park organizers, park leaders, play directors

Cranz, Politics of Park Design, 1982: Recreation Facility, 1930 – 1965

• Abandoned idealistic efforts to use parks as mechanisms of social change; no longer “my brother’s keeper”

• Park facilities an expected feature of urban life; no longer needed justificationj

• Recreation accepted as an essential of life, like health, education, work and religion

• “Basic”, “universal”, “essential”, “fundamental”, “important”

• Increase in demand for recreation

• Epitomized by the park bench and the cyclone fence

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Cranz, Politics of Park Design, 1982Open Space System, 1965 – 1990

• Response to urban crisis: middle class flight from the urban city, avoidance of “unsafe” city parks

• Role of parks changed from relief and recreation to “stimulation” -“adventurous, colorful, seductive, chic, hip, hot and cool”

• “Anything goes” mentality: wine, rock music, bluegrass dancing on the snow, “Check-a-Child” child care, games, kite flying, bands, beer, feasts, movies

• Streets rather than parks viewed as most exciting spaces in the city

• Flexible parks with minimum development

Cranz, Defining the Sustainable Park: A Fifth Model, 2004: The Sustainable Park, 1990 - Present

• Will be adopted by municipal park departments between 1995 and 2015

• Focus on making cities more ecologically and socially balanced and

• Self -sufficient with regards to material resources

• New aesthetic forms emerge for parks and other urban landscapes

socially balanced and sustainable

• Increased ecological performance: native plants, restoration of natural systems, wildlife habitat, integration of technologies, sustainable construction and maintenance

• Play a role in solving larger urban problems outside their boundaries when they are integrated with the surrounding urban fabric

“justification for tax support for parks and recreation is proportionate to the number of people in a community who perceive they receive benefits from parks and

Crompton, 2007

benefits from parks and recreation agencies…”

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Perception of Parks and Recreation (Crompton)

“…relatively discretionary, non-essential services. They are nice to have if they can be afforded after the important essential services have been funded.”

Perception of Parks and Recreation (Crompton)

“… perceived to contribute to alleviating problems that constitute the prevailing political concerns of policymakers

“…relatively discretionary, non-essential services. They are nice to have if they can be afforded after the important concerns of policymakers

who are responsible for allocating tax funds”

essential services have been funded.”

Gallup Poll: June 2011

What are the top issues facing the country today?

Economy 29%Unemployment, Lack of Jobs 26%Federal Budget Deficit 13%Lack of Government Leadership 11%Poor Healthcare or Hospitals 10%Education 5%Fuel Prices 4%Immigration 4%

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Other Trends, Issues

• Growing

• Getting Older

• Becoming More Diverse

• Becoming More UrbanBecoming More Urban

• Demanding Smaller Government

What we know about planning today’s parks and recreation systems…

Parks and recreation systems are complex, integrated and comprehensive…

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they create the framework for livable, sustainable communities…

Parks & Open Spaces

Parks & Open Spaces

Conservation Areas

Streets 

Civic Buildings and Sites

Civic Buildings and Sites

SpacesSpaces

Trails and  BikewaysTrails and  Bikeways

they account for 30 – 40% of a community’s land mass…

Norfolk, VA• Parks• Community/Recreation

Centers• Libraries, Schools• Streets, Bikeways and Trails• Therapeutic Recreation

they are comprised of “layers” or “sub-systems”…

• Natural Areas, Water Access• Athletic Facilities• Urban Agriculture• Stormwater Drainage• Community Character• Programs• Operations & Maintenance

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Miami-Dade CountyPrinciples:

• Equity• Access• Beauty• Multiple Benefits• Seamlessness• Sustainability

“sub-systems”

y

Creating a 50 Year, Unifying Vision for a Livable, Sustainable Miami-Dade County

• Great Parks• Great Public Spaces• Great Natural and Cultural Areas • Great Trails and Greenways• Great Streets

Downtown San Diego• Parks

• Plazas

• Open Spaces

• Special Use Facilities

“sub-systems”

• Water Access

• Streets and Sidewalks

• Trails

• Transit

Pinellas County, FL• Streets• Parks• Community Centers• Preserves• Sports Complexes• Boat Ramps

C lt l F iliti

“sub-systems”

• Cultural Facilities• Beaches• Greenways, Blueways

and Trails• Bike Lanes and Transit• Schools, Libraries• Public Art and Design

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Buckhead, Atlanta• Central Gathering Spaces• Plazas• Neighborhood Parks• Beltline Parks• Community Park

Components

“sub-systems”

• Community Greens• Dog Runs• Destination Dog Parks• Natural Areas • Trails + Greenways• Street + Sidewalk

Improvements

each subsystem can generate significant benefits…

Economic  Sustainability• Attracting Tourists• Attracting Businesses• Attracting Retirees• Enhancing Real Estate Values• Reducing Taxes• Stimulation of Equipment SalesEnvironmental Sustainability• Protecting Drinking Water• Controlling Flooding• Cleaning AirCleaning Air• Reducing Traffic Congestion• Reducing Energy Costs• Preserving Biological DiversitySocial Sustainability• Reducing Environmental Stress• Community Regeneration• Cultural and Historic Preservation• Facilitating Healthy Lifestyles• Alleviating Deviant Youth Behavior• Raising Levels of Education Attainment• Alleviating Unemployment Distress

(Community Benefits and Repositioning, John Crompton)

• Parks • Trails• Natural areas• Civic spaces

a well-planned and designed system can make a community a great place to live…

• Historic/ cultural venues

• Programs, concerts, festivals

• Low/ no cost

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REFRESHParksAthletic Fields

Community Character

RECONNECTBikeways + Trails

Norfolk, VA

Bikeways + Trails

Water Access

REFOCUSCommunity + Recreation CentersPrograms

Operations + Maintenance

PARKS * Upgrade refresh

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the system must respond to the needs and priorities of neighborhoods, residents, visitors and workers…

Quantitative

QualitativeAnecdotal

NEEDS

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it must also respond to different contexts and lifestyles…

DPZ & Co.

systems must be measurable in order to plan, grow and prosper…

Equity (Delivery of Services)

Regulatory(Policies, Codes)

PARKS & OPEN

PARKS & OPEN

Concurrency

(Fair Share)

OPEN SPACE LOS

OPEN SPACE LOS

1.  Acreage:• Population Standards• Benchmarking• Visioning/ Modeling

2.   Facilities, Activities:• Population Standards

4.  Quality:• Evaluation and “Grading”• Mapping/ Distribution

5. Programs:• Relevancy, Quality, 

…but there’s no single authoritative standard or “right way to measure, and each community must decide for itself.

Population Standards• Demographic, Neighborhood Analysis

• Supply/ Demand

3. Access:• Walking, Bicycling, Driving, Transit• Parks• Facilities 

Variety, Schedule• Mapping/ Distribution

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1. Acreage

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Columbia Pike – Existing Acreage LOS

Acreage Level of Service 2010 Population

Publicly Accessible Parks,

Open Space

2010 Acreage Level of Service

Population Source: Round 8.0 Cooperative Forecast - CPHD, Planning Division, Planning Research and Analysis Team (PRAT)Open Space Acreage Source: Arlington County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources

p pArlington County 212,300 1,094.35 5.15

Columbia Pike Corridor 39,900 259.30 6.50Columbia Pike Corridor- Mini Parks- Neighborhood Parks- Community Parks

39,900 156.27 3.92

Brookline, MA

Comparables

Population: 54,408Density: 8,060

Open Space: 612 Acres11.2 Acres per 1,000

ACREAGE: Quadrant acres/1,000Every resident, Every resident, neighborhood neighborhood

and community and community should have an should have an equal or similar equal or similar

allocation of allocation of park landpark land

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Vision - City of Palm Coast Recreation and Parks Facilities Master Plan

Urban Neighborhood Park – 4 acres, ½ mile service Urban Community Park

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Sports Complex City of Palm CoastExisting Park System

Existing Parkland: Activity Based Resource Based

Neighborhood Parks: 52.51 2.39Community Parks: 197.63 43.87Open Space Parks: 7.56 340.23Special Use Facilities: 145.22 113.74

Total Parkland: 346.92 500.23

Combined Total: 847.15 Acres

2007 Developed Parkland: 361.01 Ac

2007 Population: 70,376

2007 LOS: 5.1 Ac/ 1,000

Proposed Parkland: Activity Based Resource Based

Neighborhood Parks: 197.76 2.39Community Parks: 281.25 53.87Open Space Parks: 517.61 340.23Special Use Facilities: 270.22 113.74

Total Parkland: 1,266.84 510.23

C bi d T t l 1 777 07 A

City of Palm CoastParks System Vision

Combined Total: 1,777.07 Acres

2035 Projected Population: 166,869

2035 Level of Service: 10.6 Acres 1,000 People

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2. Facilities, Activities Facilities by Quadrant Demographics

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Walk Ride a bike, skate Sit outside, read Play on a

playground

Facility Access: Neighborhood (¼ - ½ mile)

playground Play catch, frisbee Picnic, sun bathe Play pick-up sports Fish without a boat Attend local

festival, concert, special event

Play organized indoor, outdoor competition sports

Exercise, attend classes/ lectures/

Facility Access: Community (3-5 miles)

social functions Swim recreationally or

competitively in a pool Paddle a canoe or

kayak Go boating Go to the beach

Facility LOS – Community Outreach

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Community-Based City of Palm Coast - Population: 70,376 Community-Based Active Facility LOS – Suburban

Facility Existing SCORP LOS

Existing LOS

Adequate? Deficiency Revised LOS Based on Needs

Playground 5 1/10,000 1/14,000 No -4 1/8,000

Skate Park 1 NA 1/70,000 Yes 0 1/70,000

Basketball Court 4 1/5,000 1/17,5000 No -8 1/6,000

Football / Soccer Field

8 1/6,000 1/9,000 No -20 1/2,500

Baseball / Softball Field

4 1/5,000 1/17,500 No -10 1/5,000

Public Golf Course 0 1/50,000 N/A No -1 1/70,000

Racquetball Court 6 1/10,000 1/12,000 No -1 1/10,000

Swimming Pool 1 1/25,000 1/70,000 No -1 1/35,000

Tennis Court 17 1/2,000 1/4,000 No -10 1/2,500

Dog Park 1 NA 1/70,000 No -2 1/23,000

Community Center / Rec. Center

1 NA 1/70,000 No -1 1/35,000

Minimum Population Service Requirement Model (Miami-Dade County)Minimum Population Service Requirement = Recreation Supply

Recreation Demand

R ti S l [(t i l /d t i l%) ( k /d k %)] d il bl /

Facilities LOS – Demand/ Supply Formulas

Recreation Supply = [(typical use/day x typical%) + (peak use/day x peak %)] x days available/year

Recreation Demand = Expressed Use + Latent UseTotal Sample Total Sample

Capacity Demand Standards Model (City of Virginia Beach)

Capacity (maximum number of events based on conditions, usage guidelines)

Facility LOSDemand (actual and probable participation)

=

3. Access

• Develop criteria for both parks and facilities

• Map walking, bicycling, transit and driving distances, incl.driving distances, incl. barriers

• Map existing transit routes

• Identify voids in service areas

• Identify need for network improvements

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Access

The Excellent City Park System – Peter Harnik

¼ Mile:‐ Multi‐Purpose Open 

Space

½ Mile‐ Picnic Areas‐ Paved Trails

3 Miles:‐ Gymnasiums‐ Skate Parks

5 Miles:‐ Dog Parks

Fishing

Facility Access: City of Orlando

Paved Trails1 Mile‐ Playgrounds‐ Basketball Courts2 Miles‐ Swimming Pools‐ Senior Programs‐ Special Event Areas‐ Practice Fields

‐ Fishing‐ Boat Ramps‐ Canoe/Kayak Launches‐ Nature Walks‐ Lighted Baseball Fields‐ Lighted Softball Fields‐ Lighted Soccer Fields

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Additional Park Land and Facilities Additional Park Land and Facilities Facilities - Context (the Transect)

DPZ & Co.

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4. Quality Experience

• Develop Criteria (e.g. Access, Comfort, Image, Uses, Sociability)

• Determine “Graders” : Staff, Consultants, Advisory Committee, Peer Group, Users, etc

City of Sunrise• Proximity/Access/Linkages –

How connected is it?• Comfort and Image –

How does it look and feel?• Uses and Sociability –

Who’s using it, and when?

4. Quality Experience4. Quality Experience4. Quality ExperienceCity of Sunrise Evaluation Criteria

• Opportunities –How flexible is it?

• Sustainability –How does it contribute economically, socially and environmentally?

Existing Facilities Evaluation, Scoring

Exceeds Expectations:

• Exceptionally well maintained• Aesthetically pleasing• Genuinely safe• Wide variety of uses• Consistently high level of activity• Good design standards• Embraced heritage resources• Good access, sidewalk/mass transit• Score of 60-80

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Existing Facilities Evaluation, Scoring

Meets Expectations:

• Generally well maintained• Aesthetically pleasing• Genuinely safe• Several different uses accommodated• Moderate level of activity• Good design standards• Reasonable connectivity• Generally compatible with surroundings• Score of 40-60

Existing Facilities Evaluation, Scoring

Does Not Meet Expectations:

• May still be well maintained and aesthetically pleasing• May not be perceived as safe by users• Few accommodated uses• Consistently low level of activity• May not be compatible with surrounding uses• Difficult, challenging to access• Score of 20-40

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5. Programs

• Variety• Variety• Relevancy• Distance• Quality• Schedule

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1.  Acreage:• Population Standards• Benchmarking• Visioning/ Modeling

2.   Facilities, Activities:• Population Standards

4.  Quality:• Evaluation and “Grading”• Mapping/ Distribution

5. Programs:• Relevancy, Quality, 

Alternatives for Calculating Parks and Recreation Level of Service (LOS)

Population Standards• Demographic, Neighborhood Analysis

• Supply/ Demand

3. Access:• Walking, Bicycling, Driving, Transit• Parks• Facilities 

Variety, Schedule• Mapping/ Distribution

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New Alternatives for Calculating Parks & Recreation Level of Service (LOS)

David Barth, AICP, ASLA, CPRPDavid.Barth@aecom.com

www.aecom.com