Chapter 2 action plan updatedCHAPTER 2
PARK LAND RECOMMENDATIONS
CHAPTER 2 – PARK LAND RECOMMENDATIONS
Contents:
Introduction
Facilities Plan
o Mini Parks
o Neighborhood Parks
o Community Parks
o Large Urban Parks
o Special Use Areas
o Open Space Areas
2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 FACILITIES
PLAN
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
This section of the plan
discusses the
recommendations for specific
park and open space lands in
Meridian. These
recommendations are divided
into the following park
categories:
Park Type Page #
Mini Parks 2-05
Neighborhood Park 2-07
Community Park 2-10
Large Urban Park 2-16
Special Use Areas 2-18
Open Space Areas 2-19
The Facilities Plan shown on
page 2-4 is a graphic
illustration of the concept for
meeting future park, open
space and trail needs in
Meridian. Some important
notes about the Facilities
Plan are discussed below.
1. A letter of the
alphabet and number
(such as C-2) defines
each site on the
Facilities Plan. The
number is for site
identification only and
corresponds to text in
this section. The
letter represents the
type of existing or
proposed park. The
letter symbols are
shown on the next
page.
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
Overall Concept:
Facilities Plan
Symbol Park Type
M Mini Parks
N Neighborhood Parks
C Community Parks
LU Large Urban Parks
SU Special Use Areas
OS Open Space Areas
2. On the Facilities Plan, an asterisk illustrates proposed
park sites. The intent is to only show a general location
of where a park site should be located. The actual
location will be determined based on land availability,
acquisition cost, and the property owner’s willingness to
sell. The park should be located somewhere in that
square mile area the asterisk is in.
3. The location and arrangement of the parks is designed
to serve the entire Urban Services Planning Area at
build-out.
4. Future park names are for reference only. It is
assumed over time they will be assigned an official
name by the City Council.
The proposed park system for Meridian features the larger
multi-use Community Park as the centerpiece of the City’s park
system as well as some Neighborhood Parks. These parks
have been located on the premise that no resident will be
further than about one mile from a park. These parks will
provide a wide variety of both passive and structured (sport
fields) activities for the immediate neighborhoods. This “core”
system of parks will provide the basic active and passive
recreational opportunities.
Linking these parks together and with the neighborhoods is a
comprehensive system of off-street trails. This overall concept
is called “the String of Pearls” with the pearls as parks and the
string being the trail system. Supplementing this string of
pearls will be open space areas; parks serving specialized
functions and private mini parks maintained by private
homeowner groups.
It is important to note here that the City is willing to develop
and maintain Community Parks, Urban Parks, and
Neighborhood Parks. Neighborhood Parks will be reviewed on
a case-by-case basis. The City may choose to maintain
neighborhood parks at an acreage of seven acres or larger. It
will be the responsibility of private homeowner groups or
associations to develop and maintain the smaller mini parks
and some Neighborhood Parks in their subdivision that the City
does not maintain.
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-2
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
Park Index:
The parks proposed in this plan are designed to achieve
several objectives. These include:
1. Providing Community Parks within a reasonable bicycling or
walking distance of most residents.
2. Providing land for specialized facilities such as an indoor
recreation center, special playgrounds and other unique
features.
3. Utilizing linear parks, canals, and water courses for trails.
The purpose of the table below is to provide a quick reference
locating the discussion on specific park sites.
Table 2.1
Index of Individual Park Recommendations
Meridian Planning Area
Site Number Park Name Page Number
EXISTING
LU-4 Meridian Settler’s Park 2-17
N-6 Chateau Park 2-09
C-7 Tully Park 2-10
N-8 8th Street Park 2-09
M-10 Tammy Street Park 2-06
C-12 Fuller Park 2-10
SU-14 Generation Plaza 2-19
SU-15 Cox Monument Park 2-19
C-18 Storey Park 2-10
C-21 Bear Creek Park 2-10
SU-27 Meridian Boys and Girls Club 2-18
PROPOSED
LU-5 Meridian Northeast Urban Park 2-18
C-1 McMillan Road Park 2-12
C-2 Lochsa Falls Park 2-13
C-3 North Meridian Road Park 2-13
C-5 McDermott Cherry Lane Park 2-13
OS-9 Five Mile Creek Greenway 2-21
C-11 Fairview Avenue Park 2-13
C-13 Meridian Middle School Park 2-14
C-17 Franklin Road Park 2-14
OS-16 Ten Mile Creek Greenway 2-21
OS-19 Nine Mile Drain Greenway 2-21
C-20 Overland Road Park 2-14
N-22 Kiwanis Park 2-09
C-23 Locust Grove Road Park 2-14
C-24 Eagle Road Park 2-15
N-25 Autumn Faire Park 2-09
N-23 Park Stone Park 2-09
M-26 Centennial Park 2-06
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-3
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
[Facilities Plan]
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-4
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
2.2.1 MINI PARKS
A. Existing Inventory:
B Design and Development
Policies:
Definition: Mini Parks or Tot Lots are small one-lot parks designed
to provide a small playground and open space area within a
subdivision. Because of their size (less than one acre) they are
limited to the facilities they can offer. They are designed primarily for
small children.
1. Existing Conditions: Currently, there are two mini parks in
the Meridian area and one is owned by West Ada
Recreation District. The other is Centennial Park, which
will be developed the fall of 2003.
Tammy Street Park (Recreation District) 0.50 Acres
Centennial Park (City of Meridian) 0.75 Acres
1. General Land Use Guidelines:
a. The development and maintenance of Mini Parks
should be left to the responsibility of the land developer
and homeowner groups. Their intent is to provide local
open space and minimal recreation use for a local
subdivision.
b. The following policies apply to private developments
that provide mini parks within their project.
c. The development of mini parks may also be
encouraged as part of multi-family developments where
densities exceed fifteen units per net developed acre.
2. Site Selection Criteria:
a. Mini Parks should be no smaller than 20,000 square
feet.
b. The site should be central as possible to the area it
serves.
c. The site should be mostly flat and usable.
d. If possible, walking distance from any residence should
not exceed one-quarter mile, and not require pedestrian
crossing of busy streets.
3. Design and Development Standards:
a. Appropriate facilities include:
Children's playground
Open grass play area
Site amenities (picnic tables, benches, bike racks,
drinking fountains, trash receptacles, etc.)
b. The site should be visible from a local residential street
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-5
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
and have no less than
100 feet of street
frontage per open
side.
C. Recommendations:
1. Summary of Recommendations:
Table 2.2
Summary of Mini Park Recommendations
Meridian Planning Area
Park
Number
Site Existing (E)
Acres/
Proposed (P)
Acres
Action
M-10 Tammy Street Park 0.50 (E) No Action
M-26 Centennial Park 0.75 (E) Development
TOTAL 1.25
Note: Bold site is in public ownership
Existing Developed Acres = 0.50 Acres
Proposed Acres = 0.75 Acres
2. Specific Improvements:
Tammy Street Park Site M-10
Tammy Street Park is a small park located at the corner of
Jericho Avenue and Tammy Street. No improvements are
planned.
Centennial Park Site M-26
This park is located at the corner of East 03rd Street and
East
Idaho Avenue. It is next to the new Meridian Boys and
Girls
Club. It has large mature trees, a basketball court and
Volleyball court. It also provides about nineteen extra
downtown parking spaces. It was developed in the fall of
2003.
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
2.2.2 NEIGHBORHOOD
PARKS
A. Existing Inventory:
B. Design and Development
Policies:
Definition: Neighborhood Parks are a combination playground and
park designed primarily for non-supervised, non-organized recreation
activities. They are generally small in size and serve an area of
approximately one-half mile radius. Typically, facilities found in a
Neighborhood Park include a children's playground, picnic areas,
trails, open grass areas for passive use, outdoor basketball courts,
and multi-use practice fields for soccer, youth baseball, etc. Size
ranges from seven to fifteen acres, with the optimum size at seven
acres.
1. Existing Conditions: Currently, there are two Neighborhood
Parks in the Meridian planning area. They are:
8th Street Park (City) 4.60 Acres
Chateau Park (City) 6.80 Acres
1. General Land Use Guidelines:
a. In general, while the City supports Neighborhood Parks
its primary focus is on developing Community sized
parks that provide a greater variety of functions and
serve a larger number of citizens. The City would look
favorably at developers providing public Neighborhood
Parks. The City could assume liability and
maintenance responsibility if the developer chose to
deed the park to the City.
b. A Neighborhood Park should be developed when the
neighborhood it will serve reaches about fifty percent
development (measured by either acreage developed
or accommodated population).
c. If possible, Neighborhood Parks should be located
adjacent to an elementary school where a sharing of
space and facilities can be achieved. Where this
occurs, the minimum park size may be reduced to
about six acres.
2. Site Selection Criteria:
a. Under most conditions, Neighborhood Parks should be
no smaller than seven acres in size.
b. The site should be central to the neighborhood it is
intended to serve.
c. If possible, walking or bicycling distance should not
exceed one-half mile for the area it serves. Access
routes should minimize physical barriers and crossing
of major roadways.
d. The site should be visible from adjoining streets and
have no less than 200 feet of street frontage.
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-7
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
C. Recommendations:
e. Frontage should be on a neighborhood collector street.
If
located on a busy street, incorporate buffers and/or
barriers
necessary to reduce hazards from passing vehicles.
3. Design and Development Standards:
a. Appropriate facilities may include:
Unstructured open play areas and practice sport fields
Children's playground (tot and youth)
Basketball courts
Tennis courts
Picnic areas
Shelter building (small)
Trails and/or pathways
Natural open space
Site amenities (picnic tables, benches, bike racks,
drinking fountains, trash receptacles, etc.)
b. Parking Requirements: Minimum of three (3) spaces
per acre of usable active park area to accommodate
both handicap and standard parking. If on-street
parking is available, this standard can be reduced by
one car for every 25 feet of available street frontage.
The park design should also encourage access by foot
or bicycle.
c. Active and noise producing facilities, such as tennis
and basketball courts, should not be located near
adjoining homes.
The following are recommendations for existing and future
Neighborhood Parks in the Meridian area.
1. Summary of Recommendations
Table 2.3
Summary of Neighborhood Park Recommendations
Meridian Planning Area
Park
Number
Site Existing (E)
Acres/
Proposed (P)
Acres
Action
N-6 Chateau Park 6.70 (E)
N-8 8th Street Park 4.60 (E)
N-22 Kiwanis Park 9.30 (E) Development
N-25 Autumn Faire Park 6.9 (E) Development
N-23 Ustick Eagle Road Park
Parkstone
6.0 (E) Development
TOTAL 33.50 (E)
Existing Acres = 33.50
Proposed Acres = .00
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-8
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
2. Specific Improvements:
Chateau Park Site N-6
Chateau Park is located
north of Chateau Drive
east of Ten Mile Road. It
was developed in 2002
and is seven acres in
size.
8th
Street Park Site N-8
8th Street Park is located
directly east of Tully Park
and consists of a
playground and open
grass areas. It is fully
developed. The City’s
Water Department shops
are found at the front of
the park.
Because of its proximity
to Tully Park, no
additional improvements
are recommended for this
park site.
Kiwanis Park Site N-22
Two small-developed
City-owned parcels are
found at the south end of
Mountain View High
School adjacent to the
Thousand Springs
Subdivision. These
include Los Alamitos
Park (4 acres) and
Thousand Springs Park
(3.03 acres). In addition,
the school district owns a
2.3 acre parcel just south
of the Los Alamitos Park
that will revert to the City
if it is not developed for a
school site. The school
district has recently
indicated that it does not
intend to develop this
property.
It is recommended that this property be combined with the
two existing sites to create a site suitable for the
development of a Neighborhood Park. By combining these
three parcels together, a 9.3 acre park site can be created.
Autumn Faire Park Site N-25
The Park is located in the Autumn Faire Subdivision
located at the south west of the corner of Ustick Road and
Black Cat Road. The developer has agreed to provide a 6.9
acre parcel. It is planned to develop site plans and
construction documents in 2004. It is tentatively planned for
development in 2005.
Ustick-Eagle Road Park Parkstone Site N-23
Ustick-Eagle Road Park is located in the new Parkstone
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
2.2.3 COMMUNITY PARKS
A. Existing Inventory:
B. Design and Development
Policies:
Definition: A Community Park is planned primarily to provide active
and structured recreation opportunities. In general, Community Park
facilities are designed for organized activities and sports, although
individual and family activities are also encouraged. Community
Parks serve a much larger area and offer more facilities. As a result,
they require more in terms of support facilities such as parking,
restrooms, and covered play areas. Community Parks usually have
sport fields or similar facilities as the central focus of the park. Their
service area is roughly a “one to two” mile radius. Size ranges from
“fifteen to thirty” acres, with the optimum size at thirty acres.
1. Existing Conditions: Currently, there are three (3)
Community Parks in the Meridian area. They are:
Storey Park (City) 15.00 Acres
Tully Park (City) 18.70 Acres
Bear Creek (City) 18.80 Acres
Fuller Park (Recreation District) 25.00 Acres
1. General Land Use Guidelines:
a. The Community Park will be the primary park type
provided in the City. It is intended to serve local needs
as well as facility needs for sport fields and other
structured and active uses.
b. Because of their size, the acquisition of Community
Park Land should occur far in advance of its need.
c. A Community Park should be constructed when the
area it will serve reaches about fifty percent
development (measured by either acreage developed
or population accommodated). They may also be
developed in partnership with civic or sports groups in
the Meridian area.
d. Wherever feasible, Community Parks should be
developed adjacent to junior or high school sites.
2. Site Selection Criteria:
a. Minimum size should be roughly fifteen acres with the
optimum being thirty acres.
b. At least two-thirds of the site should be available for
active recreation use. Adequate buffers of natural open
space or low use should be used to separate active use
areas from nearby homes.
c. If possible, walking or bicycling distance should not
exceed one to two miles for the area it serves.
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-10
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
:
d. The site should be visible from adjoining streets and
have street frontage on at least two sides. Streets on
all sides of the park are preferred. A 400 feet minimum
of total street frontage is recommended. Where canals
or other non-residential mainly use one side of the park,
only one street frontage is required.
e. Frontage on one side should be on a collector or
arterial street.
3. Design and Development Standards:
a. Appropriate facilities include:
Designated sport fields - softball, baseball, soccer,
etc.
Tennis courts
Sand or grass volleyball courts
Open multi-use grass area
Children's playground – (tot and youth)
Restrooms
Picnic areas
Picnic shelters (various sizes)
Group picnic facilities
Trails/pathway systems
Outdoor basketball courts
Site amenities (picnic tables, benches, bike racks,
drinking fountains, trash receptacles, etc.)
b. Parking Requirements: dependent upon facilities
provided. Require fifty spaces per ball field plus five
spaces per acre of active use area. On street parking
may account for some of the parking requirements
based on 25 lineal feet of street frontage per
automobile.
c. Permanent restrooms are appropriate for this type of
park but should be located to be user friendly, or in
highly visible areas and near public parking lot and
playground.
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-11
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
C. Recommendations: 1. Summary of Recommendations:
Table 2.4
Summary of New Community Park Recommendations
Meridian Planning Area
Park Number Site Existing (E)
Acres/
Proposed
(P) Acres
Action
C-1 McMillan Road Park 20.00 (P) Acquisition/Development
C-2 Lochsa Falls Park 30.10 (E) Development
C-3 North Meridian Road Park 30.00 (P) Acquisition/Development
C-5 McDermott Cherry Lane Park 29.00 (E) Development
C-11 Fairview Avenue Park 20.00 (P) Acquisition/Development
C-13 Meridian Middle School Park - Development on school site
C-17 Franklin Road Park 25.00 (P) Acquisition/Development
C-20 Overland Road Park 20.00 (P) Acquisition/Development
C-23 Locust Grove Road Park 30.00 (P) Acquisition/Development
C-24 Eagle Road Park 20.00 (P) Acquisition/Development
TOTAL 224.10
Existing Acres = 59.10 Acres
Proposed Acres = 165.00 Acres
2. Specific Improvements:
Proposed McMillan Road Park Site C-1
This proposed park site is located in the northwestern
corner of the planning area and is intended to serve all of
the area between McDermott Road, Black cat Road,
Chinden Road and Nine Mile Drain. The best location is
along the north side of McMillan Road.
Because this park will serve a somewhat smaller area, the
site could be as small as twenty acres. It is anticipated that
this park site will also serve residents to the west and north
who are not part of the City.
Please refer to the Design and Development Policies for
Community Parks for the appropriate land use, site
selection, and design/development criteria.
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-12
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
Lochsa Falls Park Site C-2
This newly acquired park site is designed to serve most of
the northern sections of the City between Chinden Road
and Ten Mile Creek. The location is along Ten Mile Road
between McMillan Road and Chinden Boulevard.
Due to the large area it must serve, this park site should be
no smaller than thirty acres. As with the proposed
McMillan Road Park, this site will also serve
unincorporated areas to the north.
Please refer to the Design and Development Policies for
Community Parks for the appropriate land use, site selection,
and design/development criteria.
Proposed North Meridian Road Park Site C-3
This proposed park site will serve the northeastern section
of the planning area. The best location is along the east
side of Meridian Road. Because the existing Meridian
Community Park site is located nearby, the proposed park
site should be equally located between Chinden Road and
McMillan Road.
Please refer to the Design and Development Policies for
Community Parks for the appropriate land use, site selection,
and design/development criteria.
McDermott Cherry Lane Park Site C-5
This newly acquired park site is found near the northeast
corner of Cherry Lane and McDermott Road on the west
side of the planning area. The site is twenty-nine acres in
size.
Please refer to the Design and Development Policies for
Community Parks for the appropriate land use, site selection,
and design/development criteria.
Proposed Fairview Avenue Park Site C-11
This proposed park site is intended to serve the central
eastern portion of the planning area. An ideal location lies
off Eagle Road, just south of the school district property.
Please refer to the Design and Development Policies for
Community Parks for the appropriate land use, site selection,
and design/development criteria.
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-13
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
Proposed Meridian Middle School Park Site C-13
A major park offering a wide variety of recreational
opportunities is needed in the central existing portion of the
City. The only site for potential use is the ground of
Meridian Middle School.
It is recommended that the City work with the school district
to develop formal sport fields and passive recreation use
on the school playground.
Please refer to the Design and Development Policies for
Community Parks for the appropriate land use, site selection,
and design/development criteria.
Proposed Franklin Road Park Site C-17
The proposed Franklin Road Park is proposed to serve the
southwestern corner of the community. An ideal location is
at the intersection of Franklin Road and Black cat Road.
Because some of the land in this area will be non-residential
A smaller park site of 25 acres is recommended.
Please refer to the Design and Development Policies for
Community Parks for the appropriate land use, site selection,
and design/development criteria.
Proposed Overland Road Park Site C-20
This proposed park site is intended to serve the area south
of Overland Road. Much of this land is made up of one to
two acre parcels. It is doubtful if this area will ever achieve
a standard residential density. Because of this, a smaller
park site is possible.
Please refer to the Design and Development Policies for
Community Parks for the appropriate land use, site selection,
and design/development criteria.
Proposed Locust Grove Park Site C-23
This proposed park site is intended to serve the most
southwesterly portion of the community. An ideal location
is at northwest corner of the intersection of Amity Road and
Meridian Road.
Please refer to the Design and Development Policies for
Community Parks for the appropriate land use, site selection,
and design/development criteria.
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-14
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
Proposed Eagle Road Park Site C-24
This proposed park site is intended to serve the most
southeasterly portion of the community. An ideal location
is off Eagle Road, midway between Victory Road and
Amity Road.
Please refer to the Design and Development Policies for
Community Parks for the appropriate land use, site selection,
and design/development criteria.
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-15
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
2.2.4 LARGE URBAN
PARKS
A. Existing Inventory:
B. Design and Development
Policies:
Large Urban Parks are major parks serving the entire
community. When Meridian Settler’s Park is developed, it will
meet this definition. They are often similar to a Community Park
except they are usually larger in size and provide more facilities.
Depending upon their location and setting, they may be passive
in nature or designed to accommodate large groups in a
structured setting. As a result, they require more in terms of
support facilities, parking, etc. They should be designed to serve
the entire community.
1. Existing Conditions: Currently, there is one large urban
park in Meridian. It is:
Meridian Settler’s Park 58.0 Acres
1. General Land Use Guidelines:
a. The Large Urban Park should be designed to serve both
local as well as community-wide needs.
2. Site Selection Criteria:
a. Minimum size should be approximately fifty acres.
b. Depending upon the setting, a majority of the site should be
developed and maintained.
c. The site should have full access on at least two sides of the
park. Streets on all sides of the park are preferred. At least
one side of the park should have access from a collector or
arterial street.
d. To separate adjacent homes from the park, public streets,
canals, drainage channels or trails should border the park
property.
3. Design and Development Standards:
a. Appropriate facilities include:
Sport fields
Tennis courts
Sand or grass volleyball courts
Open multi-use grass areas
Children's playground (tot and youth)
Restrooms
Skateboard park area
Large picnic areas
Group picnic areas and shelters
Individual picnic sites
Trails and pathways
Indoor recreation facilities
Aquatic facilities (indoor and outdoor)
Site amenities (picnic tables, benches, bike racks,
drinking fountains, trash receptacles, etc.)
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-16
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
C. Recommendations:
b. Parking requirements are dependent on facilities provided.
They require five spaces per acre of active use area. For
sport fields, they require fifty spaces per field. On-street
parking should be discouraged.
c. Permanent restrooms are appropriate for this type of park
but should be located in areas highly visible, near to parking
lots, sports fields or playgrounds
1. Summary of Recommendations:
Table 2.5
Summary of Large Urban Park Recommendations
Meridian Planning Area
Park Number Site Existing (E)
Acres/ Proposed
(P) Acres
Action
LU-4 Meridian Settlers Park 58.00
26.80 (E)
31.40 (P)
Development
LU-5 Meridian Urban Park 70.00 (P) Acquisition
TOTAL 128.20
Existing Acres = 26.80 Acres
Proposed Acres = 101.40 Acres
2. Specific Improvements:
Meridian Settlers Park Site LU-4
This site was recently purchased by the city with the
intention of it becoming primarily a sports field complex.
However, there is also the need to provide passive and
local facilities as well. Because of its central location and
size (58 acres) this is also a good park site for specialized
recreation facilities such as a special playground, large
group picnic areas, or other unique features. This park can
expect to attract large volumes of traffic and thus should
have direct street access on “three to four” sides.
A master plan has been completed for this site and 26.8
acres has been developed. The new bathroom and
concession building will be completed by the end of August
2003.
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-17
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
A baseball complex is in the planning stages for about
twenty-three acres on the west side of the park. It will
include eight or nine fields along with restrooms, a
clubhouse and parking lot. It will be constructed in a
partnership with a local youth sports organization
Meridian Northeast Urban Park Site LU-
The site is located on east McMillan Road and North
Locust Grove, close to the Boise City limits. It is in an area
that is going to reach total build-out in about five years. The
site is seventy acres in size and is in the future pathway
corridor. This site will serve the northeast Meridian
community as well as some of the West Boise community.
It may be possible to do some joint development with the
City of Boise on this site. It could serve soccer, baseball,
football, soft recreational uses, pathways and walking
paths.
2.2.5 SPECIAL USE
AREAS
A. Existing Inventory:
B. Design and Development
Policies:
Definition: Special Use Areas are miscellaneous public recreation
areas or land occupied by a specialized facility. Some of the uses
that fall into this classification include single purpose sites, sport field
complexes, or sites occupied by recreation buildings, swimming
pools, flower gardens, and architectural features.
1. Existing Conditions: Currently, there are five Special Use
areas in the Meridian area. They are:
Meridian Boys and Girls Club (City) 0.25 Acres
Generation Plaza (City) 0.10 Acres
City Hall Park (City) 0.20 Acres
Outdoor Pool (Recreation District) 1.00 Acres
Cherry Lane Golf Course (City) 119.00 Acres
1. General Land Use Guidelines:
a. Dependent on the type of facilities proposed.
2. Site Selection Criteria:
a. Prior to the addition of any Special Use Area, the City
should prepare a detailed feasibility and cost/benefit
analysis for each proposed site being considered.
b. Size and location of facility will be dependent upon the
function of the facility considered.
3. Design and Development Standards:
a. Design criteria will depend upon the facilities and
activities proposed.
b. Parking requirements: dependent upon the activities
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-18
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
offered.
C. Recommendations:
2.2.6 OPEN SPACE
AREAS
A. Existing Inventory:
B. Design and Development
Policies:
1. Summary of Recommendations:
Table 2.6
Summary of Special Use Area Recommendations
Meridian Planning Area
Park Number Site Existing (E)
Acres/ Proposed
(P) Acres
Action
No Number Cherry Lane Golf Course 119.00 (E) No Change
SU-14 Generation Plaza 0.25 (E) No Change
SU-15 City Hall - Cox Monument 0.20 (E) No Change
No Number Outdoor Swimming Pool 1.00 (E) No Change
SU-27 Meridian Boys & Girls Club 0.25 (E) No Change
120.70
Existing Acres = 120.70 Acres
Proposed Acres = 0.00 Acres
Definition: Natural Open Space Area is defined as undeveloped land
primarily left in its natural environment with recreation uses as a
secondary objective. It is usually owned or managed by a
governmental agency and may or may not have public access. This
type of land often includes wetlands, environmentally sensitive areas,
wildlife habitats, and stream, canal and drainage corridors.
1. Existing Conditions: Currently, there are three major drains
passing through Meridian in a southeast to northwest
fashion. These include:
Ten Mile Creek 6.7 lineal miles
Five Mile Creek 7.8 lineal miles
Nine Mile Drain 8.5 lineal miles
1. General Land Use Guidelines:
a. An Open Space Area may be small individual parcels
or parcels combined to create a long continuous linear
pattern such as along a canal or drainage way. These
lands are suitable for minimal wildlife habitat, trail
corridors, or the preservation of environmentally
sensitive lands. For Meridian, these lands will only
minimally serve to create a sense of seclusion or
separation of neighborhoods.
b. Natural Open Space Area should be properly managed
and maintained.
c. Natural Open Space Area may be owned and managed
by the City of Meridian or other responsible parties.
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-19
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
2. Site Selection Criteria:
a. Emphasis on acquisition should be for those areas
offering unique features or trail opportunities.
b. An analysis should be made to determine if unique
qualities and conditions exist that warrant the
acquisition and/or preservation of this type of land.
c. Prohibiting urban development should not be a reason
for acquiring natural Open Space Area.
3. Design and Development Standards:
a. Natural Open Space Areas should be primarily used for
passive and trail related activities. Maintenance levels
should reflect the character of natural Open Space
Area.
b. Encourage passive recreation uses that are compatible
with the preservation of the natural areas. Where
feasible, public access and use of these areas via trails
should be permitted, but sensitive areas should be
protected from degradation and overuse.
c. Improvements should be kept to a minimum, with the
natural environment, interpretive, and educational
features emphasized. Such improvements should be
limited to the following, although other uses or sites
may permit more intensive development.
Pathways
Seating
Informational/Directional Signs
Viewing Areas
d. Parking should be limited to parks and trailheads and at
a size the area can accommodate.
e. The location and construction of trails and other
features should avoid canal or stream banks, significant
plant populations, and other sensitive features, while
maintaining an acceptable experience and adhering to
the trail development guidelines. In addition, there may
be certain sensitive areas where recreation activities,
even low impact activities, should not be permitted.
f. Non-native plant species should be removed and native
indigenous species re-introduced in Open Space
Areas. Steps should be taken to eliminate non-native
plant invasion.
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-20
Meridian Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Plan 2003
C. Recommendations:
4. Management Policies
a. If no specific management practice is currently
developed, the policy should be the accepted standard
of state and federal agencies.
b. Additions to the Open Space Area should include a
report documenting management recommendations
specific to that site as well as impact on overall
management resources.
c. Policies should be developed for assessing
responsibility for vegetation encroachment onto private
property. In general, control of invasive plant materials
should be the responsibility of the adjacent property
owner. If plants originate from private property and
inhabit an Open Space Area, or originate in the Open
Space Area, it will be the homeowner’s responsibility to
remedy the problem or shoulder the burden of cost.
1. Summary of Recommendations:
Table 2.7
Summary of Open Space Area Recommendations
Meridian Planning Area
Site
Number
Site Existing (E)
Acres/
Proposed
(P) Acres
Action
OS-9 Five Mile Creek Greenway (P) 37.80 Trail development
OS-16 Ten Mile Creek Greenway (P) 32.50 Trail development
OS-19 Nine Mile Drain Greenway (P) 41.20 Trail development
TOTAL 111.50
Note: Linear Feet
Existing miles = .00
Proposed miles = 111.50
Chapter 2 – Park Land Recommendations Page 2-21
Subdivision near the corner of Eagle Road and East Ustick
Road. It is planned to be developed in 2005. It is a six acre
park.