Davis Parks Master Plan Update

As fall quickly succumbs to winter, being locked indoors reminds me just how valuable public parks are for maintaining a high quality of life. Riding my bike alongside a local park on a wet morning stands in stark contrast to the usual sound of sports events and children’s laughter reminiscent of a warmer season.

Students take a break from studying to relax in Oxford Circle Park. Photo by Alex Brien Camacho

Efficient design and planning are some of the integral factors that help make Davis more than your typical rural college town. Open spaces and unique communal features such as the extensive greenbelt system have become representative of the quintessential Davis experience.  Yet, there is still much that can be improved to make the quality of the park experience in Davis better now and for future generations. That’s why it is important to be informed about the Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan Update.

According to the City of Davis website, the update to the city’s Master Plan is intended “to ensure that [the Master Plan] continues strengthening community image and provide excellent service to all Davis residents now and into the future.” The year-long update process, originally planned to be completed in 2011, is based upon statistical data and citizen input to address the needs of the community. A Davis-wide needs assessment survey from 2008 serves as the underpinning for prioritization of planned update projects.

A duck perched by the water in the UC Davis Arboretum, adjacent to campus. Photo by Alex Brien Camacho

Over 8,000 people participated in the community needs assessment, and results show that I am not alone in my fondness for public outdoor spaces – over 90% of telephone survey respondents reported using park facilities at a very high rate. This percentage is significant because it demonstrates that the vast majority of Davis residents value neighborhood recreational facilities.

As a result of the public assessment, the recreational facilities given the highest priority in the update are neighborhood parks, walking or hiking trails, green belts and open spaces. Specifically, biking, walking, recreational swimming, and jogging are the highest prioritized activities based on the survey responses. Private swimming, batting cages, and tennis courts were at the bottom of the priorities list. Greenbelt expansion and “acquisition of natural areas” were listed by respondents as the most important park improvements.

The Greenbelt in South Davis is ideal for bicycle commuters. Photo by Alex Brien Camacho

Just over $4 million dollars  from Parks and Recreation Impact Fees will be available once the plan is adopted by City Council. Here’s how the process works: in February 2012, the Recreation and Parks Commission will make recommendations to the City Council based on a review of the Draft Updated Parks and Facilities Master Plan and associated comments from the Finance and Budget Commission. Once completed, the City Council will be able to decide whether to adopt the final Parks and Facilities Master Plan.

Interested in making your voice heard?  Between now and February, it‘s still possible to voice your opinion about the update by subscribing to receive notice of meetings and updates on the City of Davis website. For questions or further information about the plan or to make comments, contact Property Management Coordinator Anne Brunette at abrunette@cityofdavis.org.

So, how do our readers feel about these prioritizations? Are you pleased with the plan to focus on our neighborhood parks and trails? Comment below to join the Davis Voice conversation on the topic!