Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

            Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)

                 Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (Bureau)

                  COMMUNITY CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM

                          MINI RECREATION & PARK PLAN

                             Minimum Scope of Work

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   | INSTRUCTIONS: The following information and examples of specific     |
   | work tasks are provided to assist in the development of a scope of   |
   | work for a minimum Comprehensive Recreation, Park and Open Space     |
   | Plan project. This may be applicable when the intent is to develop a |
   | recreation and park plan for smaller communities and/or those with   |
   | minimum facilities and no recreation and park staff. Please use this |
   | information to develop a proposed scope of work for your project. If |
   | your project is selected for a grant, a detailed project scope of    |
   | work, tailored to meet the planning needs of your community, must be |
   | submitted to the Bureau for review and approval before proceeding    |
   | with the project.                                                    |
   +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

   INTRODUCTION

   There are several reasons for communities to consider developing a "Mini
   Recreation and Park Plan," as described below, as opposed to a full-blown
   comprehensive recreation, park and open space plan.

   The first has to do with the present and projected population of your
   community. Generally speaking, communities under 5,000 in population and
   not facing a significant increase in growth rate will find the "Mini
   Recreation and Park Plan" well suited to their purposes. This is
   particularly true for communities that have no or few public parks, have
   no recreation and park staff and have no intention of hiring staff in the
   next 5 years. Likewise, communities with populations above 10,000 and/or
   facing rapid growth may find that this "Mini Recreation and Park Plan" is
   not sufficient. Typically, comprehensive recreation and park plans that
   are stand-alone documents address not only the "Mini Recreation and Park
   Plan" items below, but also include discussions on recreation programs,
   maintenance needs, personnel, finances, public relations, and other
   administrative issues. A scope of work for this much larger planning
   effort is also available upon request.

   Secondly, the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code mandates that
   municipalities have a recreation and park plan if they require mandatory
   dedication of parkland by developers. DCNR interprets this to include, at
   a minimum, a planning section within an overall municipal comprehensive
   plan that addresses open space and park facility needs.

   SCOPE OF WORK ELEMENTS

   The scope of work below represents the elements suggested as the contents
   of a chapter of an overall municipal comprehensive plan dealing only with
   the planning for park lands and conservation areas--the "Mini Recreation
   and Park Plan".

    1. INTRODUCTION

    A. How to use the plan

    B. Purpose of the study

    2. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

    A. Study Goals - developed with local study committee

    B. Goals and objectives for the preservation of open space and
       development of park facilities.

    3. NEEDS ASSESSMENT

    A. On what basis (surveys, key person interviews, focus groups, public
       hearings, if successful locally, etc.) will the public's interests,
       desires and needs be determined for facilities and programs?

    4. INVENTORY OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL FEATURES

    A. Flood plains, wetlands, scenic rivers

    B. Historic/cultural site

    C. Natural and man-made barriers

    D. Steep slopes

    E. Archaeological resources

    F. Unique geological features such as caves

    5. INVENTORY OF PARK AND RECREATION FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS

    A. Mapping by census tract of all indoor and outdoor facilities owned and
       operated by municipality, school district, non-profits, and private
       sector.

    B. Ownership, condition, and present recreation programs being sponsored
       by athletic associations, school district, YMCA's/YWCA's, etc.

    6. DEMOGRAPHIC STUDIES

    A. Current population and projected growth for at least 10 years

    B. Population by census tracts

    C. Population by age groups

    D. Socioeconomic Data - income level, education, gender, per capita, etc.

    7. SPATIAL PARK ANALYSIS - comparison with NRPA guidelines

    A. Regional parks

    B. Community parks and design standards

    C. Neighborhood parks and design standards

    D. Linear parks, conservation areas, etc.

    8. RECOMMENDATIONS TO PROVIDE NEEDED PARK LANDS AND FACILITIES

    A. Capital improvement program for at least 5 years

    B. Projected operating budget to cover capital improvements for 5 years

    C. Projected maintenance needs and staffing requirements

    D. Sources of funding and land acquisition methods

    1. Mandatory dedication calculations and requirements to comply with the
       Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code

    2. Density bonus zoning/cluster zoning

    3. ADA compliance/requirements

    4. Conservation resource regulations

    5. Consumer Product Safety Guidelines

    6. Funding Sources

    7. Local Share: availability of local tax support, fund-raising
       opportunities, etc.

   E. Municipality's role in the provision of recreation programs and
   services

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