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ANNUAL REPORT: MASTER PARKS & RECREATION PLAN DECEMBER 2009 1 ANNUAL REPORT 2009: Master Parks & Recreation Plan for the Greater Missoula Area TO: City Council, City Park Board, & OSAC FROM: Jackie Corday, Open Space Program Manager Date: January 4, 2010 I. INTRODUCTION The City Council and County Commissioners unanimously adopted the Master Parks & Recreation Plan for the Greater Missoula Area (“MPP”) in May 2004, which “defines the 15 to 20-year vision for the Missoula Urban Area.” Since then, the Parks & Recreation staff and Park Board have been working to implement many of its goals in order to increase the quantity and quality of parklands and recreational opportunities in and around Missoula. An MPP action item recommends the preparation of an annual report that describes the progress made toward achieving the MPP and Open Space Plan goals over the past year. This report is in response to that action item. The entire MPP is available at http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/index.aspx?NID=174 MPP Chapter 4 contains specific goals and policies and recommended projects that are needed to meet existing and future recreational and urban park needs in the Missoula area. Chapter 5 lists specific actions and potential implementation tools to achieve the vision of the MPP. The following goals and action items have been achieved over the past year (quotes in italics are from the MPP). II. MPP CHAPTER 4 GOALS 1. Goal 1.3 “Ensure that future demands are met through the development of new facilities/services as well as the upgrade of existing facilities.” Highlights from the list of the many projects completed in 2009: Pineview Park renovation completed, playground scheduled for Spring 2010; Silver's Lagoon western nature trail and perimeter connection completed; Completed Lafray Park paved trail connecting to Curtis St and park fencing; Decreased energy expenditure significantly through better use of the air handling system and lighting at Currents and controlling splash-out loss at Splash Montana; Adopted a plan to comply with the federally mandated Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act - began implementation process at Currents; Built a new trailhead at Hidden Trails in East Missoula after purchasing 59 acres on the east side of Mt. Jumbo that provided access to the City's Mt. Jumbo open space; Constructed the Tonkin Trail from Clearview Way to Hillview Way. 2. Goal 1.4 "Provide 2.5 acres of Neighborhood Parks for every 1,000 residents." White Pine Park Development – This new 3 acre park site off N. Scott Street will help put the North Side neighborhood very close to achieving the 2.5 acre level of service. The City began construction of the park in this spring through a cooperative effort between Parks, City Streets Dept, and the College of Technology. There will be soccer and other field sports, a small playground, perimeter trail and sidewalk, rustic style fences, and trees. The first phase of park construction completed in 2009 included the installation of clean fill soil, stockpiling of topsoil, installation of irrigation wells and some irrigation mainline. Completion of the irrigation system, grading of the topsoil and seeding are scheduled for spring of 2010. Funding for the park comes through CDBG funds, City general funds, and private donations. ---PAGE BREAK--- ANNUAL REPORT: MASTER PARKS & RECREATION PLAN DECEMBER 2009 2 3. Goal 1.5 “Provide recreational opportunities and facilities for people of all ages and abilities, including meeting ADA requirements.” Splash Montana and Currents Aquatic Center continue to be extremely popular recreational facilities with all age groups. "The Lake" 50m pool has continued to be popular with fitness swimmers and the local competitive swim teams. Splash Montana hosted several special swim events at The Lake in 2009, including the Firecracker Swim Meet, the first ever Zoo Town Triathlon, and the Tube Bowl (inner tube water polo’s annual competitive event). Attendance at both Currents and Splash in FY09 was 195,500 visits. This is an increase of 15,000 visits over the previous fiscal year, and 19,000 over FY08. Other Recreation Department Highlights: Established an inner-tube polo league at Splash Montana. Added a teen soccer league for the 7v7 spring soccer season. Developed a walking/jogging group, Lunchtime Junkies, with guest speakers addressing different topics related to healthy lifestyle choices. New adult tennis challenge ladder was developed and implemented. New indoor winter Quickstart youth tennis program was implemented. Integrated more environmental education concepts into the youth camps and all outdoor recreation programs. Developed an in-house fishing program focusing on water awareness and environmental impacts on lakes, rivers and streams. Introduced a program to connect kids with nature through a photography program. Developed more comprehensive Skateboard Camps working with MT Skatepark Association. Developed an environmental education camp in conjunction with the MT Audubon Society. For National Public Lands Day, Conservation Lands Mgt, Missoula Conservation Corp, Montana Natural History Center, and Recreation worked to complete a .25 mile trail, planted 70 trees, and cleared fishing accesses around Silvers Lagoon. Replaced the climbing wall for the Challenge Course with new boards and holds. In regards to improving ADA access for recreation: ADA fishing piers – Silver's Lagoon Greenough trail resurfacing (increase ADA accessibility) Cottonwood bridge – ADA access to trail system for Riverfront neighborhood 4. Goal 3.2 "Acquire and develop trail corridors and connectors in accordance with standards contained in the 2001 Non-Motorized Transportation Plan." Meadow Gold Trail extension - A new segment of the Bitterroot Branch Trail (BBT) was constructed by the former Meadow Gold Dairy factory at the corner of Spruce and Nora Streets. The site has been re-developed for residential use. The developer constructed a half-block segment of trail as part of the project. The trail is aligned half of a block north of the new BBT segment at Safeway on Broadway. Parks managed the inspection and approval of new trail segment. Milwaukee Trail Acquisition – We were finally able to succeed in acquiring all necessary easements for the trail between Russell and Reserve in late 2009. WGM was hired in December 2009 to provide the trail design and engineering plans for construction that will occur in the spring/summer of 2010. Construction will be funded by CTEP. Grant Creek Trail – Territorial-Landworks, Inc. completed the preliminary design work for locating the trail in 2009. There are 14 easements that need to be acquired for the 3 mile trail and that task has been split between TLI and Parks. Our goal is to have all easements secured by spring of 2010. The Grant Creek Trail Association, a local citizen group, has been instrumental in gaining ---PAGE BREAK--- ANNUAL REPORT: MASTER PARKS & RECREATION PLAN DECEMBER 2009 3 support from affected landowners and fundraising. Acquisition and preliminary engineering is funded up to $170,000 by 2006 OS Bond. Construction is dependent upon funding - includes CTEP and/or Federal earmark funds along with private donations. This project was also included in the TIGER grant application (see explanation of TIGER grant under Goal 6.4). Missoula to Lolo Trail – In late 2007, a new citizen group formed to promote/support construction of a bike/ped trail from the current ending of the Bitterroot Spur Trail at McDonald Street (a couple blocks east of University Motors) to Lolo to connect with the existing trail that begins in south Lolo. In addition to citizens, the group includes agency staff from City & County Parks, City & County Public Works, FWP, and MDOT. We meet once a month and thus far have identified 4 potential routes. The group in December 2009 made a presentation to the County Commissioners of the 4 routes explaining the pros and cons of each possibility. The group will present this information to the public in 2010 and ask the County for CTEP funding. Water's Edge Trail (East Missoula) - Water's Edge, a new subdivision in East Missoula on Deer Creek Road, included the construction of 1000 feet of gravel riverfront trail. Later phases plan to expand the trail system further south. The developer of the property funded the construction of the trail and County Parks, with help from City Parks, conducted inspection and approval of the new facility. Currently, the trail does not connect to the wider City or County trail systems but this trail lays the groundwork for the creation of a riverfront trail system in East Missoula. Riverfront Trail Expansion – Silver's Park- MRA funded and managed the extension of the South- shore Ron MacDonald Riverfront Trail system with the installation of 1000 feet of new 10' wide paved trail. The trail is the first phase of development for a new 14 acre riverfront park at the site. The trail borders the river on the north side of the baseball park and will connect to the California Street Bridge next year. Parks was involved in the planning and location of the trail and approved the final construction of the trail and the bench enclosures. 5. Goal 3.7 "Consider selling, trading or converting the use of selected small, underutilized, undeveloped public lands that . . . do not meet the standards of the Master Parks Plan." There is probably not another public park that better meets the above description than the tiny pocket park (~5,200 sq.ft.) at the end of the Carter Court cul-de-sac off River Road. In May 2008 the City Council approved the re-zoning needed in order to be able to sell the park lot as a developable lot, but it wasn't until June of 2009 that it finally sold. The funds were used for developing Lafray Park located just to the west. 6. Goal 4 “Develop and maintain parks, recreational facilities, trails and open space areas at a high level of quality, appropriate for the type of use and nature of the facility.” Completed a two year study of recreational use at key access points on Mt. Sentinel, Mt. Jumbo and the North Hills to gauge the amount of recreational use at main trailheads and to survey users on their satisfaction. Re-routed and rehabilitated trails at Tower Street and in the Mt. Jumbo saddle area. 7. Goal 5 "Protect and enhance the natural environment." Parks was awarded a $10,500 grant from the MT Department of Agriculture to start a long- term research project studying the impacts of sheep grazing for noxious weed control and how to best incorporate native reseeding regimes into a sheep grazing program. Completed a pine bark beetle inventory of ponderosa pine forests on Mt. Jumbo, the Rattlesnake greenbelt (Greenough to reservoir), and the South Hills. Have identified ---PAGE BREAK--- ANNUAL REPORT: MASTER PARKS & RECREATION PLAN DECEMBER 2009 4 priority areas for beetle kill removal and selective thinning and for placement of pheromone packets in the spring. Thinned 10 acres of very dense forest along the North Loop road on Mt. Jumbo's saddle and began cutting diseased trees along the Rattlesnake trail in December 2009. 8. Goal 5.3 "Work towards control and eradication of existing invasive plant species through the development of an integrated plant management program." With the help of the Missoula County Weed District, in 2008 we completed a survey of the health of grassland plant communities on all of the North Hills, Mt. Jumbo, and Mt. Sentinel. This weed and native grass inventory helped to direct the management of these communities in 2009, which included the following integrated noxious weed control actions: Grazed weeds on Mt. Sentinel, North Hills, and Mt. Jumbo; Pulled weeds on Mt. Jumbo, Bancroft ponds and Cattail corner; Reseeded almost 150 acres across Mt. Sentinel, North Hills, Mt. Jumbo, Silver's Lagoon, and the Clark Fork Natural Area; Planted over 2000 native forbs, grasses, trees and shrubs on Mt. Sentinel, Mt. Jumbo, Silver’s Lagoon, the Kim Williams Trail, Bancroft ponds, and at Ben Hughes Park; Planted over 500 native Missouri iris, blue camas, & monkey flower at Bancroft ponds. 9. Goal 5.7 "Use permeable pavements, recycled materials, locally manufactured products and materials . . . to the greatest extent practicable." Pineview Park – Used a permeable pavement system (Grass Pave) for the ramp/drive and walkway for the maintenance shed and warming hut to reduce black asphalt near the ice and to decrease sheer volume of hard surfacing, better esthetics and easier maintenance as well. A composition of recycled asphalt and native gravel was used to form the gravel base for the trails. Better carbon footprint and savings. The sand surfacing from the old play areas was salvaged and utilized for sand bedding the irrigation mainlines, saving costs and reusing resources. Existing topsoil was stripped from the site and screened, blended with surplus playground sand and used for new topsoil to reduce imported topsoil. Used asphalt for the trails and courts that incorporated a percentage recycled asphalt to reduce our carbon footprint and reduce costs. We partnered with Home Resource to dismantle the old shelter and fencing at no cost due to the salvage value of the materials for their reuse. LaFray – Recycled asphalt was used for the gravel base for the trail to Curtis St. An asphalt pavement mix utilizing recycled asphalt was used to pave the trail to Curtis as well as the inner park trails. Playfair – All three new parking lots along Pattee Creek Drive and the new baseball lot along Stephens Avenue all have recycled asphalt bases and are paved with blended recycled asphalt. Conservation Lands - Harvested trees from city property (street tree, hazard tree, beetle kill removals) and had them milled (locally) into timbers and lumber for use in the construction of informational kiosks at main trailheads. These trees would have been cut-up and given away for firewood. First kiosk is scheduled to go in this spring – others pending funding. ---PAGE BREAK--- ANNUAL REPORT: MASTER PARKS & RECREATION PLAN DECEMBER 2009 5 10. Goal 5.9 "Develop and implement comprehensive resource management plans for conservation lands." Council approved a budget for drafting and adopting a Conservation Lands Management Plan in September 2008. Work began in 2009 by forming a Technical Working Group, a Citizen Working Group, and hiring ERG to help draft the plan. The draft plan is now being reviewed by staff and will be sent to the Citizen Working Group for their review by February 2010. 11. Goal 5.10 "Encourage boulevard sidewalks or other appropriate pedestrian walkways as a part of outdoor recreation facilities, and review subdivision plans and other land use policies with that purpose in mind." Urban Forestry worked with OPG to develop standards for boulevard width in new subdivisions. Every proposed City subdivision is reviewed by Parks for parks, trails, and sidewalk issues. 12. Goal 6.1 “Aggressively seek grants, intergovernmental partnerships and private-public partnerships where mutually beneficial and appropriate.” Mark Bretz donated topsoil for White Pine Park and Parks partnered with the College of Technology to screen the raw topsoil. The Watkins Family, DBA ZIP Beverage, donated $50K for White Pine Park development. Intergovernmental Partnerships were important in developing the Missoula Children & Nature Network and hosting the Missoula Area Summit on Children and Nature. Applied for a CDBG grant for $106K with matching funds from MRA of $42,500 for funding California Street Bridge maintenance and repair. 13. Goal 6.2 "Ensure that new residential development contributes its fair share for parks and recreational facilities to the extent allowed by state law." Much time was devoted to drafting new parkland regulations that would 1) require parkland dedication or cash-in-lieu for minor subdivisions, 2) change the way parkland dedication is calculated for multi-family projects to increase land dedication, and 3) require parkland dedication for apt and condo projects that don't go through subdivision review (i.e. they apply for building permits without the need to subdivide). The main purpose of the changes is to get parkland for those residents who need it most – apt and condo owners who have little or no yards. Council adopted the changes to the subdivision regulations (items #1 & in March 2009. Council adopted the zoning changes (item in October 2009. 14. Goal 6.3 "Coordinate between the City and County on review of subdivisions and other planning issues within the Urban Area." Parks continually coordinates with the Missoula City/County Health Department and County Parks on subdivision review for park and trail issues. This year OPG had several major planning projects that Parks contributed significant review and comment time to, including the Target Range Orchard Homes Neighborhood Plan and completely re-writing the City Zoning Code. Parks hired James Pool from Wonderland Landscape Architecture to assist in the creation of Park & Trail Development Standards for the City. The document is intended to be a guide for developers, contractors and agency staff for the development of public parks & trail facilities. It provides standards for parks & trails and a flow chart for developers to follow when moving through the City Subdivision process. Over the next year, Parks plans to have the document reviewed and commented on by other agencies, local contractors, and design professionals. ---PAGE BREAK--- ANNUAL REPORT: MASTER PARKS & RECREATION PLAN DECEMBER 2009 6 15. Goal 6.4 "Coordinate with other agencies on planning efforts and seek partnerships with these agencies to leverage available funding." Parks partnered with OPG and Public Works to help submit a TIGER grant application this fall asking for $19.6 million in ARRA stimulus funds for substantially expanding our Bike/ped infrastructure throughout the City, but especially in under-served neighborhoods such as Franklin to the Fort and Emma Dickinson/River Road. Projects in the application include the Milwaukee Trail and Bitterroot Spur underpasses of Russell Street, completing gaps in the Bitterroot Spur Trail, and extending the Milwaukee Trail west to Reserve Street and east to Bonner. Urban Forestry received an ~$15K grant to implement an inventory update and software acquisition, Urban Forest (private and public) modeling, and Urban Forest Working Group to advise on furthering the goals and improvements necessary for a viable Urban Forest. Parks and Recreation received a $50K DNRC Grant to study the cost benefits analysis and feasibility of reclaiming wood waste from the old Champion Mill Site (Silver Park). The testing will determine if the wood waste is viable as bed mulch, topsoil additives or other park uses. Partnerships with the Montana Natural History Center and others led to two grants which allowed the community to create and print a user friendly map of Missoula trails, parks and open spaces, trail markers, biomimicry interpretive panels, and Silvers Lagoon interpretive panels. III. MPP CHAPTER 5 ACTION ITEMS 1. Planning Actions: “Develop a master plan for Playfair Park to improve its aesthetics, upgrade facilities and increase its appeal for use by a broad range of residents.” The Playfair Park Master Plan continues to be implemented. In 2008 the large parking lot at the corner of Stephens and Pattee Creek was built with landscape islands installed. Landscaping and striping was completed in spring 2009. The sidewalk from Bancroft to Russell through Playfair Park has been continued and only one segment remains to be completed. Planning updating occurs in conjunction with County Fair Planning. Ideally, one day the Fairgrounds and Playfair Park will be seamless to citizens and provide an even greater opportunity for recreation in the Valley. "Develop a more detailed trails master plan." After coordination with Public Works, County Parks, and others knowledgeable about local trails, Parks hired a map maker in late 2009 to create and print a master trails map for the greater Missoula area that will be available for the public in early 2010. 2. Project Actions: “Develop Fort Missoula Regional Park (FMRP) in accordance with the adopted Master Site Plan for the park.” In December 2008 city Council adopted the Master Park Plan for FMRP which was developed to Design Detail. These efforts required coordination and cooperation with area stakeholders, user groups, and the State Historic Preservation Office. A Master Plan was also developed for the JTL/Knife River Site which is slated to become parkland 12/31/2012. Ongoing efforts include negotiations and discussions with UM, COT, JTL/KR, DEQ and others for developing the FMRP. ---PAGE BREAK--- ANNUAL REPORT: MASTER PARKS & RECREATION PLAN DECEMBER 2009 7 “Develop McCormick Community Park in accordance with the adopted Master Site Plan for the park, including the planned community center.” The McCormick Park Master Site Plan has been substantially implemented and has resulted in a very positive change in use. The following projects remain incomplete and are not currently funded: picnic shelter, balance of community center to be connected to Currents, moving of Parks Operations to FMRP, and re-landscaping the 100 Hickory site. 2009 Silver's Lagoon improvements, made possible due to a partnership with the Montana Natural History Center, Fish Wildlife &Parks, and National Public Lands Day, included adding perimeter trails, several plantings, and interpretation panels. "Work with developers to acquire and develop adequately sized and appropriately located neighborhood parks in new residential developments." With over-site from Parks, the developer of the 44 Ranch subdivision completed construction of the 5.68 acre public park in 2009. The centrally located park features a landscaped pond, internal pathways and bridge, rolling grassy hills, trees, open sports field area, an underground irrigation system and a restroom enclosure. Future phases of development include a playground and picnic shelter. The infrastructure for the future facilities is already in place. Maintenance of the park will be a joint effort between City Parks and the 44 Ranch HOA. The HOA has agreed to maintain the water feature and adjacent landscape and the City will maintain the remainder of the park. “Identify appropriate locations for and develop dog parks.” The Southgate Triangle Neighborhood is polling their neighbors for consideration of a dog park at Bellevue Park. Canine Campus and Jacob's Island continue to get heavy use. The Playfair Pup's Playpen needs to be signed and promoted. The Dog Ordinance and the Resolution identifying certain areas, dog parks and training areas plus some conservation lands, as voice command, has been completed by Health Dept and Parks Dept staff and has been sent to Council. Final action is anticipated in 2010. “Work with Public Works to upgrade pedestrian connectivity in neighborhoods.” There is an ongoing effort to obtain a separate grade crossing at Russell Street and the Milwaukee Trail and Russell and Bitterroot Spur Trail. “Improve river accessibility per the MPP.” In 2007, the Mill site west of McCormick Park was approved for mixed-use high density housing, retail and commercial development. The plans include a 14 acre park called Silver’s Park, which will have boating access. The Park is being developed in phases with the parking lot to be completed in spring 2010 and the boat ramp installation scheduled to be completed by Fall 2010. The balance of the park development is not certain at this time. 3. Upgrades and Maintenance Actions - “Rehabilitate existing playgrounds, restrooms and other park facilities including bringing existing facilities up to ADA standards.” Upgrades and improvements to the Northside Pedestrian Facility are anticipated in 2010. The project, currently in the planning phase, is funded through a CDBG ARRA stimulus fund and will include structural maintenance, safety mitigation, and enhanced accessibility. ---PAGE BREAK--- ANNUAL REPORT: MASTER PARKS & RECREATION PLAN DECEMBER 2009 8 Three outdated playgrounds will be replaced in 2010 and Lafray Park will receive its first playground thanks to a HB 645 Treasure State Endowment Program “stimulus” grant. 4. Administrative & Management Actions Operations development of Safety Programs Hosted National Playground Safety Inspector Course and Exam for the second year, certifying 4 Park Operations Staff; Finalizing Equipment Training Policy and Procedures for department; Operations resource tracking mechanism Implementation and successful use of daily task tracking system. Staff completing daily task sheets, entered into software program. Provides summary of activities. Customer service request tracking. All customer requests are entered into Asset Management software. Allows for tracking of requests/problems to verify completion. Operations energy savings Flat rate conversion to meters preparation and scoping. Fuel reduction plan in place and being implemented – included purchasing 6 "mini-trucks" that get approximately 40 mpg in town. Trail lighting conversions from mercury vapor to metal halide. 5. Funding Actions "Actively pursue granting and funding opportunities to serve underserved neighborhoods with parks." Grants acquired which serve underserved neighborhoods include the following: CDBG-ARRA funding of $128K for the NS Pedestrian Crossing, HB 645 TSEP for Playgrounds at Lafray, Boyd, Sacajawea, and Marilyn Parks. Applications have been submitted for CDBG funding for California Street Bridge and Health related Stimulus funds for prevention with funding to support access to active and healthy recreation for low income. IV. OPEN SPACE PROGRAM 1. Use of 2006 Bond Funds in 2009 East Mt. Jumbo - $31,000 approved for acquisition of 59 acres on the east side of Mt. Jumbo known as the YAWLE property just above the Hidden Trail subdivision. The property is adjacent to the City's Mt. Jumbo open space and provides access to the mountain for East Missoula residents. Spooner Creek Ranch - $25,000 approved for contribution towards purchasing a conservation easement on the 207 acre Spooner Creek Ranch located in the Upper Miller Creek Valley. The County contributed $175,000 towards the easement and the landowners donated $1.6 million in value. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will hold the easement. Marshall Canyon - OSAC completed their final evaluation for purchasing 216 acres on the east side of Mt. Jumbo for $400,000 plus survey & closing costs. The land is part of the Montana Legacy project in which The Nature Conservancy purchased 300,000+ acres from Plum Creek Timber. This project will now move forward for Council and Commissioner approval in early 2010. The 2006 Open Space Bond balance is approximately $3,000,000 of the City's portion (balance includes Marshall Canyon purchase). 2. 1995 Open Space Bond The 1995 Open Space Bond balance is approximately $385,000.