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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.