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PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE AGENDA JANUARY 12, 2015 - 3:30 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 15 LOOCKERMAN PLAZA DOVER, DELAWARE PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED ON ANY ITEM AND WILL BE PERMITTED AT APPROPRIATE TIMES. WHEN POSSIBLE, PLEASE NOTIFY THE CITY CLERK (736-7008 OR E-MAIL AT CITYCLERK@DOVER.DE.US) SHOULD YOU WISH TO BE RECOGNIZED. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS 1. MALLARD POND PARK CONCEPT PLAN (STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE IMPROVEMENTS IDENTIFIED ON THE CONCEPT PLAN, NOTING THAT ALL IMPROVEMENTS BEYOND THE INSTALLATION OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO FUNDING AVAILABILITY AND APPROVAL OF ASSOCIATED EXPENDITURES BY CITY COUNCIL) 2. UPDATE ON RECREATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT - PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF SURVEY DATA 3. ADJOURNMENT BY 4:50 P.M. /TM S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS-PRESENTATIONS-ATT&EXH\COMMITTEE-AGENDAS\2015\01-12-2015 PR&CE.WPD THE AGENDA ITEMS AS LISTED MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN SEQUENCE. THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION OR THE DELETION OF ITEMS, INCLUDING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS.

ACTION FORM PROCEEDING: Parks, Recreation and Community Enhancement Committee DEPARTMENT OF ORIGIN: Parks and Recreation DATE SUBMITTED: 12/29/2014 PREPARED BY: Ann Marie Townshend, AICP, Director of Planning & Community Development SUBJECT: Mallard Pond Park Concept Plan REFERENCE: N/A RELATED PROJECT: N/A REVIEWED BY: Scott Koenig, P.E., City Manager/Donna Mitchell, CPA, City Controller EXHIBITS: Concept Plan for Mallard Pond Park Improvements EXPENDITURE REQUIRED: $66,000 for playground AMOUNT BUDGETED: $66,000 FUNDING SOURCE (Dept./Page in CIP & Budget): Page 109 in Draft FY14/15 Budget (50% grant funded) TIME TIMETABLE: Installation of playground equipment in spring 2015; Remaining improvements would be future phases subject to availability of funding. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends that the Committee recommend approval of the improvements identified on the concept plan, noting that all improvements beyond the installation of playground equipment would be subject to funding availability and approval of associated expenditures by City Council BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS Mallard Pond Parks is a six-acre, undeveloped park surrounded by Mallard Pond Development, Brandywine Court Condominiums, Fox Hall West Addition, and Heatherfield East. Staff identified Mallard Pond Park as a location for new playground equipment for FY 2015. Funds are budgeted for this purpose. The City’s bicycle and pedestrian plans which are currently under development by the Dover/Kent County MPO identify pathway connections through Mallard Pond Park, which would connect Fox Hall West Addition and Mallard Pond to Marsh Creek Lane and ultimately Route 8. This becomes a significant pathway connection, as it would provide a safe bicycle and pedestrian route from these neighborhoods to the new Dover High School. The Parks and Recreation Department hosted a community meeting at Mallard Pond Park on July 29, 2014, and invited property owners of the surrounding neighborhoods. With the feedback received at this community meeting, we were able to better place the pathway and playground on the property to avoid potential conflicts with the neighbors. One additional concern shared by residents of Brandywine Court Condominiums is that people park in the private parking areas on Par Haven Drive to utilize the park. The concern was that with increased activity at the park, parking conflicts would increase. Based on this feedback, the concept plan we developed shows a small parking area off of Marsh Creek Lane. The concept plan would phase the improvements based on availability of funds. The first phase, and likely the only phase within the current fiscal year, would be the construction of a playground. The second phase would be the construction of the pathway between Mallard Pond and Marsh Creek Lane. Staff would work with DelDOT and the Dover/Kent County MPO to seek funding for the pathway. The pathway segment that would connect to Fox Hall West Addition would be a future phase, as concurrence from the Fox Hall West Addition and a stream crossing are required to complete this. The parking area would be a future phase in a future Capital Improvement Program for the park. If the concept plan is approved, the playground contract will be approved by City Council in accordance with the purchasing policy. The FY 2015 CIP anticipates $33,000 in grant funding to support the playground installation. Staff is in the process of applying for these funds.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X PLAYGROUND X MULTI-USE TRAIL PARKING LOT

Recreation Needs Assessment Update – Survey Highlights • 506 people responded to the survey. Respondent Residency City Resident Non-Resident Did Not Answer 20% 52% 28% • Based on all of the surveys completed (506 surveys), the following needs were ranked most highly (≥25%): Silver Lake Park Indoor Restrooms 39.9% Schutte Park Expansion of Trail System 38.3% Dover Park Indoor Restrooms 32.0% Schutte Park Benches 29.6% Dover Park Paved Trail System (loop) 26.5% JWP Center Weight Room 26.3% Silver Lake Park Benches 26.3% Schutte Park Fitness Stations Along Trail 26.1% Dover Park Indoor Recreation Center 25.7% • People seem generally supportive that programs should be supported by a mix of fees, grants and taxes. Recreation Needs Assessment Survey Highlights – January 5, 2015 Page 1 of 2

• Respondents also indicated that fundraising and seeking business sponsorships should be sought to support programs. • There is also significant support for City residents paying a lower fee for programs than non- residents of Dover. • Based on the responses, a skate park seems best suited for Schutte Park and/or Dover Park. • Based on the responses, a splash pad seems best suited for Dover Park and/or Silver Lake Park. • Comments provided also indicate that we could do a better job of informing the public about our programs. • While not evident through the response rates, it is very clear from the comments that there is an increased demand for pickle ball. We know that this demand is largely among seniors. • The comments also indicate a demand for a dog park. Recreation Needs Assessment Survey Highlights – January 5, 2015 Page 2 of 2