Element_6_-_Recreation_and_Open_Space_(PDF).pdf

[DRAFT 08/21] I. FUTURE LAND USE 1

RECREATION & OPEN

SPACE ELEMENT

GOAL 6.

THE CITY SHALL PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A FULL RANGE OF

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO MEET THE CULTURAL, SOCIAL, AND

ATHLETIC NEEDS OF THE CITY AND PROVIDE OPEN SPACE TO MEET

THE AESTHETIC, HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE NEEDS OF ITS

CITIZENS AND VISITORS.

VI. Recreation & Open Space 1-2

OBJECTIVE 6.1. PROVIDE ADEQUATE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND OPEN SPACE

The City shall maintain its existing recreational facilities and provide adequate facilities and parks for the current and future population.

Policy 6.1.1. The City shall draft and adopt a Master

Recreation Plan with the following purposes:

a. Improve, sustain, and enhance the quality of life in Green

Cove Springs.

b. Make recommendations for prioritization of future land acquisition and park facility construction.

c. Identify and make recommendations on how the City might partner with other agencies to maximize its parks and recreation resources.

d. Locate and identify existing bicycle and pedestrian pathways in the City and recommend safe connections between these and recreation properties

e. Inventory and evaluate current park property and facilities.

f. Identify current recreation issues and future needs of the community and make recommendations to resolve issues and meet those needs over a specific period of time.

g. Engage the community and stakeholders in the future of the City’s recreation through involving them in the development of the plan.

Policy 6.1.2. The City shall create a Riverfront Asset Protection

Plan with the following purposes:

a. Provide connectivity from Reynolds Park to Spring Park and other areas as determined.

b. Investigate the feasibility of creating a mooring field.

c. Provide a comprehensive inventory of riverfront resources.

d. Coordinate with State and County staff to implement

Future Land Use Policy 1.3.11 regarding the Governors

Creek Bridge Gateway.

e. Preserve and capitalize on the public views of the St Johns

River.

Credit: City of Green Cove Springs

VI. Recreation & Open Space 1-3

Policy 6.1.3. The City shall investigate and apply for

State and Federal grants and assistance available for the enhancement and improvement of recreation and open space throughout the City.

Policy 6.1.4. The City shall continue to evaluate the expansion of City-owned parks.

Policy 6.1.5. The City shall continue to provide funding on an annual basis for the maintenance of existing recreational facilities and budget for future parks, recreation, and open space in accordance with the Capital

Improvements Element.

Policy 6.1.6. The City shall seek private/public partnerships and grant funding to increase recreational programming for residents of Green

Cove Springs.

OBJECTIVE 6.2. PUBLIC ACCESS TO RECREATION

The City shall ensure public access to recreation sites throughout Green

Cove Springs.

Policy 6.2.1. The City shall provide ADA-compliant parking and barrier-free access for the elderly and disabled population to all municipally owned recreation facilities.

Policy 6.2.2. The City shall incorporate accessibility in the design of future recreational spaces and add inclusive facilities where feasible in existing recreational spaces.

Policy 6.2.3. The City shall prohibit development or activities that reduce access to public recreation facilities.

Policy 6.2.4. The City shall ensure access to the St.

Johns River is maintained and improved by:

a. not allowing the closure of any street to the St.

Johns River and maintaining the rights-of-way to the St. Johns River.

b. prohibiting development or activities that reduce or restrict access to the St. Johns River.

c. working with property owners/developers of riverfront property to increase public access to the St. Johns River during the Site Plan Review process.

Oakledge Accessible Playground (Credit: enjoyburlington.com)

3 Crossings Concept Plan, Pittsburgh (Credit: WTW Architecture) https://enjoyburlington.com

VI. Recreation & Open Space 1-4

OBJECTIVE 6.3. MEETING FUTURE NEEDS

The City shall ensure new development does not diminish the Recreation

Level of Service (LOS).

Policy 6.3.1. New development shall provide parks, recreation facilities, and open space based on the level of service (LOS) standards set forth in Policy

8.3.1 of the Capital Improvements Element.

Policy 6.3.2. New development shall, when feasible, provide a trail or trails that connect into the City’s existing or planned recreational facilities to support the establishment of an urban trail system.

Policy 6.3.3. Development permits shall not be issued if the size and nature of the new development lowers the adopted level of service standards upon completion of the Master Recreation Plan set forth in Policy 6.1.1.

Policy 6.3.4. The City shall continue to upgrade and improve all parks and facilities therein.

OBJECTIVE 6.4. PROTECT ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS

The City shall preserve open space by limiting/prohibiting development of environmentally sensitive lands in Green Cove Springs.

Policy 6.4.1. The City will seek donation of land or grant funds for the purchase of lands designated as environmentally sensitive lands and for property located along the St. Johns River to be preserved as permanent open space and/or use the land for bike/pedestrian trails, nature walks, greenways, etc.

Policy 6.4.2. The City shall pursue available Federal and State grant sources for the acquisition and development of recreation and open space areas.

Policy 6.4.3. Conservation areas shall be designated on the Future Land Use Map as Public and shall be developed for public recreation uses that are compatible with the environmental characteristics of the property. Any development in these areas shall not be allowed unless the appropriate agency (i.e., SJRWMD, ACOE, FDEP) issues a permit for the development and if the land was purchased with grant funds is developed in accordance with the grant requirements.

Policy 6.4.4. The City shall coordinate with the St.

Johns River Water Management District and Clay

County to purchase lands and develop a recreational trail system throughout the City and along the St.

Johns River connecting Spring Park, the Green Cove

Springs Nature Preserve, and the J. P. Hall Nature

Preserve.

VI. RECREATION & OPEN SPACE [11/24/21]

GREEN COVE SPRINGS - RECREATION & OPEN SPACE - EXISTING PARKS BY JURISDICTION

VI-5

VI. RECREATION & OPEN SPACE

GREEN COVE SPRINGS - RECREATION & OPEN SPACE - TRAIL MAP

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