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DRAFT
BEXAR COUNTY
INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN
2008-2020
PREPARED BY:
HNTB CORPORATION
JANUARY 2008
DRAFT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A RY..............................................................................
	
PA R T O N E ................................................................................................	
C H A P T E R I : I N T R O D U C T I O N ...................................................................
1.	 Plan Development Process	.......................................................................
2.	 Precinct  Profiles...................................................................................	
C H A P T E R I I : I N V E N TO RY.........................................................................
1.	 County-wide Parks and Recreational Facilities................................................
2.	 County-Owned Parks and Recreational Facilities..............................................
	
C H A P T E R I I I : N E E D S A S S E S S M E N T.........................................................
1.	 Approach............................................................................................
2.	 Level of Service Analysis..........................................................................	
3.	 Demands Assessment..............................................................................	
4.	 Significant Natural and Cultural Resources.....................................................
	
PA R T T W O ...............................................................................................	
C H A P T E R I V: F U N D I N G A N D I M P L E M E N TAT I O N .....................................	
1.	 Goals and Objectives..............................................................................	
2.	 Proposed Implementation.........................................................................	
3.	 Funding Options....................................................................................	
4.	 Related Economic Development Initiatives....................................................	
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
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A P P E N D I C E S ............................................................................................
Appendix A: Bexar County Parks Inventory.............................................................
Appendix B: Cultural Resources Inventory..............................................................
Appendix C: Stakeholder Questionnaire................................................................
Appendix D: User-Intercept Survey......................................................................
Appendix E: 	NRPA Park Classifications and Standards for Park Acreage...........................
Appendix F: NRPA Park Maintenance Standards (excerpt)...........................................
ii
DRAFT
DRAFT
EXeCUTIVe SUMMARY
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
Background
The Bexar County parks and open space system
will consist of parks, natural areas, and linear
greenways that foster community gatherings,
provide opportunities for active and passive rec-
reation for area residents, and preserve signifi-
cant natural and cultural resources. Accordingly,
this parks and open space master plan has been
developed to reflect these values.
The master plan follows the Texas Parks and Wild-
life Department (TPWD) guidelines for a locally
prepared master plan, which would make the
county eligible for future grant funding for parks,
if pursued. The planning horizon is 12 years, and
covers the period from 2008 to 2020.
Inventory
Currently, there are approximately 25,066 acres
of parkland in Bexar County which represents
235 parks. Approximately 4.7 percent (1,182
acres) of the parks are owned by Bexar County.
Most parks fit into the neighborhood (10 acres or
less) or community park (10-25 acres) category.
Government Canyon, located over the Edward
Aquifer Recharge Zone in precinct 2, accounts
for a significant portion of the Bexar County park
acreage with approximately 8,622 acres. Addi-
tionally, with the exception of Bullis, Govern-
ment Canyon and Calaveras Lake Park, most of
the area outside San Antonio city limits is not
currently being served by a park.
For planning purposes, the county was divided
into four sub areas that follow current Bexar
County precinct boundaries. Precinct 1 has the
largest total area and the most number of de-
velopable acres. It also incorporates the historic
Mission Reach project. Precinct 2 has the small-
est geographical area and the most number of
park acres. Precinct 3 has the most undeveloped
acres, with Camp Bullis accounting for approxi-
mately 12,000 acres. Precinct 4, which includes
much of downtown San Antonio, has the greatest
number of cultural resources present and also in-
corporates the historic Museum Reach project.
Park Usage
According to the Bexar County parks department
estimates, county parks served approximately
1.6 and 1.7 million attendees in FY 2005 - 2006
and FY 2006- 2007, respectively. The data also
shows that Mission and Comanche are the most
used in terms of attendance. When compared to
the Bexar County parks system-wide average,
the data suggests that Mission, Comanche, Ro-
driguez, and Raymond Russell are over-burdened
in terms of number of attendees per park acre.
This has resulted in noticeable erosion of park
resources within these facilities.
Public/Stakeholder Input
Input from the public and other stakeholders in
the development of Bexar County parks master
plan was obtained through stakeholder inter-
1
DRAFT
EXeCUTIVe SUMMARY
E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y
views and questionnaires, park user-intercept
surveying, and community informational meet-
ings. Existing and potential park users responded
that the highest priorities of the Bexar County
parks system should be to:
1.provide better maintenance of existing parks;
2.provide more park amenities and comfort items
including restrooms, water fountains, shade ar-
eas, and trash receptacles;
3.provide more recreational amenities, includ-
ing basketball courts, swimming pools, tennis
courts, and nature trails.
Local park experts and county staff were also
asked to identify priorities for the parks system.
The highest priorities listed were to:
1.expand the existing park system through the
acquisition of additional park lands and natural
areas;
2.provide park facilities to unincorporated areas
of the county to accommodate future demand;
3.develop the newly acquired county park facili-
ties, including Lakewood and Hilltop Acres;
4.provide more efficient maintenance and secu-
rity in existing park facilities.
Needs Assessment and Recommendations
TPWD in its Park, Recreation, and Open Space
Master Plan Guidelines, effective January 27,
2005 suggests three methods for assessing needs
for a locally prepared master plan: (1) demand-
based, (2) standard-based, and (3) resource-
based. Since a single approach would not ade-
quately assess parks and natural areas needs for
the county, a combination of these three meth-
ods was used.
A total of ten new park acquisition sites are rec-
ommended for completion by the year 2020 (Fig-
ure 1). In addition, improvements to seven ex-
isting facilities, as well as a facility maintenance
plan are included in the overall parks program
for a total budget of $19,630,000. In addition,
funding options and recommended strategies are
outlined in Chapter IV. Listed below is a sum-
mary of recommended improvements identified
from the needs assessment. These are divided
into three categories: 1) operations and main-
tenance; 2) existing park improvements; 3) new
acquisitions.
2
DRAFT
EXeCUTIVe SUMMARY
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
Figure 1
Proposed Park Sites
3
DRAFT
EXeCUTIVe SUMMARY
E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y
Table ES-1. Draft Recommendations for Bexar County Parks System: 2008-2020
1. Operations and Maintenance
	Based on current park acreages and usage trends, Bexar County would benefit from a Mode III maintenance plan for
the majority of the parks system (see Chapter IV: Section 2). A Mode II maintenance plan would be appropriate for
higher use parks, including MacArthur, Mission, Comanche, and Raymond Russell.
2. New Park Acquisitions
	Provide additional park acreage with comparable facilities within the areas currently served by Mission, MacArthur,
Comanche, and Raymond Russell to relieve these over-burden parks
	Acquire park acreage for preservation of significant environmental areas in Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone (Site C) and
Blue Wing Lake (Site H)
	Acquire additional park acreage to provide adequate level of service by 2020 at sites D, I, J
3. Existing Park Improvements
	Develop the recently acquired Lakewood and Hilltop Acres
	Complete the park improvements identified in the 2003 Bexar County Bond Package for Bullis, Comanche, Orsinger,
Raymond Russell, and Rodriguez parks
4
DRAFT
INTRODUCTiON
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
Introduction
The Excellent City Park System, a publication
by the Trust for Public Land, finds that a quality
parks and open space system is a form of natu-
ral infrastructure that can provide many benefits
to a community. The report states that parks,
when taken collectively, can result in:
 Cleaner air, as trees and vegetation filter
out pollutants and produce oxygen;
 Cleaner water, as vegetation would filter run
-off into streams, rivers, and lakes;
 More opportunities for physical fitness and
lower health problems related to sedentary
lifestyles;
 Increased tourism and commerce related to
successful parks; and
 Natural beauty and buffers from traffic and
noise.
Bexar County Existing Environment
Bexar County is located in south central Texas,
where the Texas Hill Country and the South Texas
Plains meet. The county covers an area of ap-
proximately 1,260 square miles and encompasses
San Antonio, which is Texas’ second largest city
and home to over 1 million people. Bexar Coun-
ty is one of the fastest growing counties in the
nation. The county is currently ranked number
21 in the top 25 counties for largest population
growth between 1990 and 2000, and number 25
in the top 25 counties with the largest number
of ew private housing units.
Bexar County is served by four major interstate
highways, four major United States highways,
State Highway 16, and Loop 1604, which is the
outer loop around the city of San Antonio. While
most of its population (approximately 82 per-
cent) resides within the San Antonio city limits,
other population centers within the county in-
clude the towns of Alamo Heights, Castle Hills,
Converse, Helotes, Leon Valley, Kirby, Terrell
Hills, Live Oak, Universal City, Fair Oaks, and
Windcrest (Figure 2).
Current population estimates show the total
number of people living within Bexar County to
be approximately 1,539,630. According to re-
cent projections from the Texas State Data Cen-
ter, this number is expected to reach 1,702,693
by 2020.. In regards to ethnicity, Census 2000
data indicates that the primary ethnicity rep-
resented in the county is non-white/Hispanic
(approximately 54 percent). Of the remaining
46 percent, the highest estimated percentages
are white (36 percent); African-American (7
percent); and Asian-American (2 percent). The
median age of the county is estimated to be 32
years, with children (0-17 years) representing
approximately 28 percent of the total popula-
tion, and seniors (65 and above) accounting for
U.S. Census Bureau, County and City Data Book: 2000,
Table B-1.
Bexar County Information Services. 2007.
1 2
3
Harnik, Peter. The Excellent City Park System. Trust for
Public Land, 2003, p. 32.
1
2
3
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DRAFT
INTRODUCTiON
C h a p t e r 1
approximately 10 percent of the total popula-
tion.
The county has experienced significant growth
in population in recent decades. This is in part
due to its natural features and availability of de-
velopable land; however, a considerable amount
of growth can be attributed to the county’s eco-
nomic success. Primary industries are national
defense, financial services, and tourism. The
county has also developed a major regional med-
ical center with the establishment of the Uni-
versity of Texas Health Sciences Center at San
Antonio, the South Texas Medical Center, Brooke
Army Medical Center, and Santa Rosa Hospital-
among others. Additionally, growth in tourism
related to several area attractions, including Fi-
esta Texas, Sea World of San Antonio, the River
Walk, and the Alamo, as well as the success of
the San Antonio Spurs professional basketball
team, have all contributed to the economic suc-
cess of the county.
Figure 2
Bexar County Overview
6
DRAFT
INTRODUCTiON
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
1. Plan Development Process
This master plan for parks and open space was
prepared by an independent consultant in co-
operation with the Bexar County Parks Depart-
ment. The approach follows guidelines identified
in the TPWD Parks and Open Space Master Plan
Guidelines, the National Recreation and Parks As-
sociation (NRPA) standards for park acreage, and
industry best practices.
Major steps in the planning process included:
1. Preparation of an inventory of existing
facilities;
2. Identification of county goals and
objectives;
3. Establishment of park standards;
4. Community and stakeholder involvement;
5. Development of an overall needs
assessment; and
6. Development of a prioritization and
implementation strategy for identified
needs.
2. Precinct Profiles
Data from several sources was used to develop
the planning profiles. Census 2000 data at the
block group level was used for current popula-
tion and demographic analysis. Data for the indi-
vidual census tract block groups that comprised a
single precinct were combined to develop totals
for that area. For natural and cultural resources
analysis, data was collected from the respective
public resource agency, including the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Texas
Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS),
TPWD, Texas State Historic Preservation Office
(SHPO), Texas Historic Sites Atlas, the Bexar
County Central Appraisal District, and the City
of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Depart-
ment. This information was incorporated into a
geographic information system (GIS) and used to
identify and analyze existing and potential park
resources.
The demographic analysis for Bexar County was
separated by precinct. See Figure 3.
7
DRAFT
INTRODUCTiON
C h a p t e r 1
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Texas Natural Resources Information
System (TNRIS), TPWD, Texas State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Texas Historic
Sites Atlas, the Bexar County Central Appraisal District, and the City of San Antonio
Parks and Recreation Department. This information was incorporated into a
geographic information system (GIS) and used to identify and analyze existing and
potential park resources.
The demographic analysis for Bexar County was separated by precinct. See Figure 2.
Table 1. Demographic Summary of Population
Square Miles Population Population
per mi2
Under 18
Years
65
Years +
Living in
Poverty
Bexar County 1,257 1,392,931 1,114 395,282 144,314 15%
Precinct
1 440 332,062 755 103,455 30,388 22%
2 122 339,661 2,784 93,594 34,521 17%
3 356 369,249 1,037 89,935 32,161 7%
4 339 351,959 1,038 108,298 47,244 16%
Source: Census 2000
PRECINCT 1
Precinct 1, which covers an area of approximately 440 square miles, is located in the
southwest corner of the county. It is bound by Culebra Road on the north, IH 37 on
the east and the Bexar/Atascosa county line on the south and west. Census 2000 data
showed the total population in this area to be approximately 332,062. Children and
seniors represent approximately 40 percent of the total population, (31 and 9
percent, respectively). Population estimates for the year 2020 suggest that
approximately 402,410 people will live in this area.
A review of area demographics shows that minorities, primarily non-white/Hispanic,
comprise approximately 83 percent of the area. According to Census 2000 data, a
substantial portion of the population (approximately 22 percent) had incomes below
the poverty level. The percent of persons unemployed is approximately four percent.
Precinct 1 is mostly undeveloped. Agricultural lands account for approximately 30
8
DRAFT
INTRODUCTiON
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
Figure 3
Parks Precincts
PRECINCT 1
Precinct 1, which covers an area of approximately
440 square miles, is located in the southwest corner
of the county. It is bound by Culebra Road on the
north, IH 37 on the east and the Bexar/Atascosa
county line on the south and west. Census 2000
data showed the total population in this area to be
approximately 332,062. Children and seniors rep-
resent approximately 40 percent of the total popu-
lation, (31 and 9 percent, respectively). Population
estimates for the year 2020 suggest that approxi-
mately 402,410 people will live in this area.
A review of area demographics shows that minori-
ties, primarily non-white/Hispanic, comprise ap-
proximately 83 percent of the area. According to
Census 2000 data, a substantial portion of the pop-
ulation (approximately 22 percent) had incomes
below the poverty level. The percent of persons un-
employed is approximately four percent.
Precinct 1 is mostly undeveloped. Agricultural lands
account for approximately 30 percent (82,119
acres) of total land area and developable open space
in the area is approximately 33 percent (91,772
acres). . There are 54 parks (2,091 acres) located
in Precinct 1, including seven county park facili-
ties: Hidalgo, Mission, Padre, Hilltop Acres parks,
Mission Reach, and the Harlandale and South San
civic centers. One theme park, Sea World of San
Open space refers to undeveloped land, natural areas, and
preserves.
4
4
9
DRAFT
INTRODUCTiON
C h a p t e r 1
Antonio, is located in the northwest corner of the
precinct. Twenty-three historic landmarks are lo-
cated in Precinct 1. Surface water features account
for approximately 13 percent of total land area in
Precinct 1 and include three lakes: Canvasback,
Mitchell, and Blue Wing.
PRECINCT 2
Precinct 2 is located in western Bexar County. It is
bound by SH 16 on the north, US 281 on the east,
Culebra Road on the south and the Bexar/Med-
ina county line on the west. Precinct 2 covers the
smallest geographical area of the four areas (122
mi2), but it has the greatest number of residents per
square mile (2,784 persons). Census data revealed
that approximately 339,661 persons lived in the
area in 2000. Children and seniors represent ap-
proximately 40 percent of the total population, (at
29 and 11 percent, respectively). Approximately
405,280 people are expected to live in Precinct 2
by the year 2020.
Demographic data for Precinct 2 indicates that ap-
proximately 69 percent of the total population of
this area is non-white, Hispanic. Of the remaining
31 percent, the highest estimated percentages of
ethnicities include white (25 percent) and African-
American (4 percent). Poverty rates in this area
are higher than those of Bexar County as a whole.
Census data reveal that in 1999, approximately
56,000 persons (17 percent of the population) had
incomes below the poverty level. The percent of per-
sons unemployed is comparable to Bexar County, at
approximately four percent.
Agricultural lands account for approximately 16 per-
cent (12,095 acres) of total land area. There are 66
parks (14,281 acres) located in Precinct 1, including
one county park: Rodriguez Park; and Government
Canyon (discussed in Chapter II). Twenty-five historic
landmarks are located in Precinct 2. Surface water
features account for approximately 8 percent of to-
tal land area in Precinct 2 and include two lakes:
Woodlawn and Elmendorf.
PRECINCT 3
Precinct 3, located in northwest Bexar County, cov-
ers approximately 356 square miles. The area is
bounded by Cibolo Creek on the north and SH 16
on the west. Precinct 3, which currently has a pop-
ulation of approximately 369,249 in 2000, is the
fastest growing area in Bexar County. Recent popu-
lation forecasts suggest that the area will grow to
approximately 477,770 by 2020. Children and se-
niors represent approximately 35 percent of the total
population, (at 25 and nine percent, respectively).
In terms of ethnicity, Census 2000 data reveals that
approximately 60 percent of the area is white, non-
Hispanic. Of the remaining 40 percent, the highest
10
DRAFT
INTRODUCTiON
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
estimated percentages of ethnicities include Hispan-
ic (31 percent), African-American (4 percent), and
Asian-American (2 percent). A review of household
income data shows that Precinct 3 is the most afflu-
ent area in Bexar County. Approximately 46 per-
cent of the households have annual incomes greater
than $50,000, approximately 18 percent have in-
comes of $100,000 or greater. The percentage of
the population with incomes below the poverty level
is approximately seven percent. The percent of per-
sons unemployed in Precinct 3 is approximately two
percent.
Agricultural lands account for approximately 32 per-
cent (73,822 acres) of total land area. Camp Bullis,
a United States Army camp, occupies 12,000 acres
within this area, and accounts for a significant por-
tion of the undeveloped land. There are 41 parks
(5,903 acres) located in Precinct 3, including six
county parks: Bullis, MacArthur, Orsinger, Walker
Ranch, Raymond Russell, and the Raymond Russell
Annex. One theme park, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, is
located in the southwest corner of the Precinct. Seven
historic landmarks are located in Precinct 3. Surface
water features account for approximately 13 per-
cent of total land area in Precinct 3 and include one
lake: Lewis Creek.
PRECINCT 4
Precinct 4 is located in the southeast quadrant of
Bexar County, covering approximately 339 square
miles. The area is generally bounded by the Bexar/
Guadalupe county line on the north, the Bexar/
Wilson county line on the east, the Bexar/Atascosa
county line on the south, and IH 37 on the west. Cen-
sus 2000 data showed the total population in this
area to be 351,959. Children and seniors represent
approximately 40 percent of the total population, (at
29 and 11 percent, respectively). The population is
anticipated to increase to approximately 417,233
persons by 2020.
In terms of ethnicity, Census 2000 data reveals that
approximately 45 percent of the area is non-white/
Hispanic. Of the remaining 55 percent, the highest
estimated percentages of ethnicities include white
(37 percent) and African-American (14 percent).
The percentage of the population with incomes be-
low the poverty level is approximately 16 percent.
The percent of persons unemployed in Precinct 4 is
approximately two percent.
Agricultural lands account for approximately 34
percent (74,657 acres) of total land area. There are
74 parks (2,794 acres) located in Precinct 4, includ-
ing 10 county park facilities: Comanche, Covington,
the future Lakewood Acres, Pletz, Museum Reach,
the AT&T Center, Main Plaza, and the Navajo Civic
Center. One theme park, Splashtown, is located in
the northwest corner of the Precinct, near down-
town San Antonio. Precinct 4 encompasses most of
downtown San Antonio; consequently, 128 historic
landmarks are located in this area. Surface water
11
DRAFT
INTRODUCTiON
C h a p t e r 1
features account for approximately 14 percent of to-
tal land area in Precinct 4, and include three lakes:
Martinez, Braunig and Calaveras.
Bexar County Parks and Open Space
Infrastructure Services Department 2008-2020 Master Plan
Antonio. Precinct 4 encompasses most of downtown San Antonio; consequently, 128
historic landmarks are located in this area. Surface water features account for
approximately 14 percent of total land area in Precinct 4, and include three lakes:
Martinez, Braunig and Calaveras.
Table 2 summarizes available natural and cultural features by Precinct.
Table 2. Summary of Bexar County Natural and Cultural Resources by Precinct
Precinct 1 Precinct 2 Precinct 3 Precinct 4
County Parks 7 1 6 10
Total Parks 54 66 41 74
Landmarks/Historic Markers 23 25 7 128
Source: HNTB 2007
12
DRAFT
INVENTORY
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
1. County-wide Parks and Recreational Facilities
Currently, there are approximately 25,066 acres
of parks and natural areas within Bexar County.
This represents approximately 3 percent of all
land within the county. Most of this land con-
sists of parks owned and operated by other enti-
ties, including the City of San Antonio, the San
Antonio River Authority, the State of Texas, and
the U.S. Government (Figure 4). Approximately
1,182 acres (4.7 percent) is owned by the Bexar
County parks system.
A total of 235 public parks are located in Bexar
County. Most of these are neighborhood parks
that are 10 acres or less in size and community
parks between 10 and 25 acres in size. Table 3
below summarizes each park type and includes
the number represented in each category and
total acreage.
Precinct 4 has the greatest number of individual
parks, since 74 of the 235 county-wide parks are
located in this area. However, most of the park
acreage is located in Precinct 2. This is primar-
ily due to the presence of Government Canyon,
which is an approximately 8,622-acre state park
that is dedicated to the recharge of the Edwards
Aquifer. Like Government Canyon, much of the
land in northwest Bexar County is not available
for wide recreational use, but is currently iden-
tified as natural areas or ranch use.
5 See Appendix E, National Recreation and Parks Associa-
tion: Park Classifications and Standards for Park Acreage.
5
Figure 4
Bexar County Parks & Natural Areas
13
DRAFT
INVENTORY
C h a p t e r 2
The scarcity of parks and natural areas within
Bexar County is most notable in the unincorpo-
rated areas between the San Antonio city limits
and the Bexar County line- particularly in the
southwest quadrant of the county. With the ex-
ception of Bullis, Hilltop Acres, Lakewood Acres,
Government Canyon and Calaveras Lake Park,
there are no dedicated park and natural areas
available within these areas. Additionally, most
of the parks that are available to county resi-
dents are owned and operated by the City of San
Antonio. As a result, these primarily serve typi-
cal neighborhood uses, such as family gatherings,
team sports, and other special events. Table 4
summarizes parks and natural areas acreage for
Bexar County and the four Precincts.
County Parks and Open Space
ructure Services Department 2008-2020 Master Plan
Table 3. County-Wide Parks and Natural Areas: Bexar County
Provider Number Acres
Bexar County
Community Parks 12 467
Open Space 3 59
Special Use Facility 2 175
Joint-Sponsorship Facility 4 478
Civic Center 3 2
Total 24 1,182
City of San Antonio
Neighborhood Parks 66 486
Community Parks 58 1,249
Large Urban Parks 14 2,527
Sports Complex 7 94
Natural Areas 23 9,144
Greenways 9 593
Historic Resource 6 122
Special Use Facility 14 327
Urban Space 5 12
Undefined 2 52
Total 204 14,606
Other Park Providers
SARA 2 448
State of Texas 1 8,622
US Government 4 208
Total 7 9,278
GRAND TOTAL 235 25,066
Source: City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department
carcity of parks and natural areas within Bexar County is most notable in the
orporated areas between the San Antonio city limits and the Bexar County line-
ularly in the southwest quadrant of the county. With the exception of
nment Canyon and Calaveras Lake Park, there are no dedicated park and natural
available within these areas. Additionally, most of the parks that are available
unty residents are owned and operated by the City of San Antonio. As a result,
primarily serve typical neighborhood uses, such as family gatherings, team
s, and other special events. Table 4 summarizes parks and natural areas acreage
14
DRAFT
INVENTORY
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
2. County-Owned Parks and Recreational Facilities
Currently, a total of 24 facilities (approximately
1,182 acres) comprise the Bexar County parks sys-
tem (Table 5). Most of the facilities are located
within the San Antonio city limits, with the excep-
tion of Bullis, Hilltop Acres, and Lakewood Acres.
Bexar County Parks and Open Space
Infrastructure Services Department 2008-2020 Master Plan
Table 4. Summary of Bexar County-Wide Parks and Natural Areas by Precinct
2006
Population
Estimate
Acres of
Parks and
Natural
Areas
Owned By
Bexar
County
Owned By
Others
Total Acres of
Parks and
Natural Areas
per 1,000
Residents
Bexar County 1,539,630 25,066 1,182 23,884 16
Precinct
1 363,872 2,091 486 1,605 6
2 366,467 14,281 40 14,241 39
3 432,015 5,903 190 5,713 14
4 377,276 2,791 466 2,325 7
Source: HNTB 2007
2. County-Owned Parks and Recreational Facilities
Currently, a total of 24 facilities (approximately 1,182 acres) comprise the Bexar
County parks system (Table 5). Most of the facilities are located within the San
Antonio city limits, with the exception of Bullis, Hilltop Acres, and Lakewood Acres.
The majority of the parks are less than 50 acres in size and they are primarily
characterized as community parks (Figure 3). A complete inventory of each park is
included in Appendix A.
The majority of the parks are less than 50 acres
in size and they are primarily characterized as
community parks (See Parks Inventory).
15
DRAFT
INVENTORY
C h a p t e r 2
Bexar County Parks & Natural Areas
Inventory
County Owned Park Facilities
1.	 Bullis Park
2.	 Orsinger Park
3.	 MacArthur Park
4.	 Rodriguez Park
5.	 Mission Park
6.	 Pletz Park
7.	 Comanche Park
8.	 Raymond Russell Park
9.	 Padre Park
10.	 Harlandale Civic Center
11.	 Covington Park
12.	 South San Civic Center
13.	 Hilltop Acres Park
14.	 Lakewood Acres Park
15.	 Navajo Civic Center
16.	 Hidalgo Park
17.	 Walker Ranch
18.	 Main Plaza
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Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
Bexar County Parks and Open Space
Infrastructure Services Department 2008-2020 Master Plan
10
Table 5. Summary of Bexar County Parks Facility Inventory
Community Parks Acres Precinct
Bullis Park 51 3
Comanche 40 4
Covington Park 19.29 4
Hidalgo Park 2.29 1
Lakewood Acres* 175 4
MacArthur Park 13 3
Mission Park 39 1
Orsinger Park 13 3
Padre Park 32 1
Pletz Park 24 4
Raymond Russell Park 19.67 3
Rodriguez Park 39 2
Open Space
Covington (annex) 5.5 4
Hilltop Acres* 50.26 1
Raymond Russell (annex) 3.33 3
Special Use Facilities
AT&T Center 170 4
Freeman Coliseum 5 4
Civic Centers
Harlandale Civic Center 1.1 1
Navajo Civic Center 0.3 4
South San Civic Center 1 1
Joint-Sponsorship Facilities
Main Plaza 0.5 2
Mission Reach 360 1
Museum Reach 27.4 4
Walker Ranch 90 3
Total 1,181.64
*New or undeveloped park
Source: City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department
Annual park usage estimates were reviewed for the 13 existing parks and civic
centers. These estimates show annual attendance in Fiscal Year (FY) 2005-2006 and
FY 2006-2007 to be approximately 1,624,335 and 1,730,293, respectively. Visitation
was approximately five percent higher in FY 2005-2006 than in FY 2006-2007 due to
Annual park usage estimates were reviewed for
the 13 existing parks and civic centers. These
estimates show annual attendance in Fiscal Year
(FY) 2005-2006 and FY 2006-2007 to be approxi-
mately 1,624,335 and 1,730,293, respectively.
Visitation was approximately five percent higher
in FY 2005-2006 than in FY 2006-2007 due to con-
struction activity which closed some park areas
for brief periods during FY 2006-2007 (Figure
5).
Park reservation data indicates that the parks are
used year-round, with peak periods occurring in
the summer months (April to September). Prima-
ry uses for the facilities are birthday, graduation,
and other family celebrations. Sporting events,
including baseball and softball games, also ac-
count for a significant number of park events.
17
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INVENTORY
C h a p t e r 2
In terms of number of attendees, Mission and Co-
manche are the most used county-owned parks,
representing 24.5 and 21.9 percent, respec-
tively, of total park attendance in FY 2006-2007
(Figure 5). Table 6 summarizes parks usage by
facility. The number of park attendees per acre
is included for comparison. When compared to
-
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
BullisPark
Comanche
Covington
Harlandale
Hidalgo
MacArthur
Mission
County/Padre
Navajo
Orsinger
Pletz
RaymondRussell
Rodriguez
SouthSan
NumberofAttendees
FY2005-2006 FY2006-2007
the Bexar County parks system-wide average,
the data suggests that Mission, Comanche, Ro-
driguez, and Raymond Russell are over-burdened
in terms of number of attendees per park acre.
This has resulted in noticeable erosion of park
resources within these facilities.
Figure 5
Park Usage: Annual Attendance
18
DRAFT
INVENTORY
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
11
owned parks, representing 24.5 and 21.9 percent, respectively, of total park
attendance in FY 2006-2007 (Figure 4). Table 6 summarizes parks usage by facility.
The number of park attendees per acre is included for comparison. When compared to
the Bexar County parks system-wide average, the data suggests that Mission,
Comanche, Rodriguez, and Raymond Russell are over-burdened in terms of number of
attendees per park acre. This has resulted in noticeable erosion of park resources
within these facilities.
Table 6. Bexar County Parks: Usage Trends by Facility, 2005-2007
Number of Attendees
Park/Facility
FY 05-06 FY 06-07
Average Per
Acre Usage
(based on
number of
attendees)
Number of
Reservations
(2006)
Zip
Code
Most
Served
Bullis 35,872 34,886 694 517 78258
Comanche 395,602 378,923 9,682 2,037 78223
Covington1
72,259 69,866 3,684 NA NA
Harlandale Civic Center 31,065 30,516 - 526 78221
Hidalgo2
10,643 10,136 4,537 NA NA
MacArthur 273,456 257,751 20,431 2,172 78217
Mission 447,981 423,940 6,140 2,038 78223
Navajo Civic Center 39,737 31,935 - 457 78210
Orsinger 85,759 80,458 6,393 496 78249
Pletz 58,386 66,632 2,605 482 78219
Raymond Russell 57,427 236,709 6,394 1,132 78249
Rodriguez 91,175 85,721 2,268 827 78237
South San Civic Center 24,973 22,820 - 444 78211
Total 1,624,335 1,730,293 5,629 11,252 -
1. Reservation numbers for Covington is included in totals for Comanche.
2. Hidalgo Park opened in 2007; therefore reservation data is not available.
Source: Bexar County Infrastructure Services
19
DRAFT
20
DRAFT
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
1. Approach
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
in its Park, Recreation, and Open Space Master
Plan Guidelines, effective January 27, 2005 sug-
gests three methods for assessing needs for a lo-
cally prepared master plan: (1) level of service
(LOS)/standard-based, (2) demand-based, and
(3) resource-based. A combination of these three
methods was used to accurately assess park and
open space needs for Bexar County.
2. Level of Service Analysis
The LOS/standard-based approach is a macro-
level analysis that uses established standards to
determine facilities and park areas needed to
meet the needs of a given population size. The
standards may be based on demand studies, the
professional judgment of park and recreatio plan-
ners and designers, etc. A standard-based assess-
ment typically uses a ratio of number of acres or
facilities provided per 1,000 residents as a level
of service (LOS) to be provided in a community.
This follows the National Recreation and Park
Associations Park, Recreation, Open Space and
Greenway Guidelines.
In 2006 there were approximately 16 acres of
parkland for every 1,000 residents available in
Bexar County. Of this amount, Bexar County pro-
vided less than one acre (0.8 acre) of parkland
per 1,000 residents. Since there are currently
no national standards or recommendations for
the amount of parkland that counties should con-
tribute, existing level of service data for several
large Texas counties were compiled to provide
benchmarks for the Bexar County system (Table
7).
2. Level of Service Analysis
The LOS/standard-based approach is a macro-level analysis that uses established
standards to determine facilities and park areas needed to meet the needs of a given
population size. The standards may be based on demand studies, the professional
judgment of park and recreation planners and designers, etc. A standard-based
assessment typically uses a ratio of number of acres or facilities provided per 1,000
residents as a level of service (LOS) to be provided in a community. This follows the
National Recreation and Park Associations Park, Recreation, Open Space and
Greenway Guidelines.
In 2006 there were approximately 16 acres of parkland for every 1,000 residents
available in Bexar County. Of this amount, Bexar County provided less than one acre
(0.8 acre) of parkland per 1,000 residents. Since there are currently no national
standards or recommendations for the amount of parkland that counties should
contribute, existing level of service data for several large Texas counties were
compiled to provide benchmarks for the Bexar County system (Table 7).
Table 7. Level of Service: Comparison to Other Texas Counties
County Population* County-Owned
Acres
Acres per 1,000
Bexar 1,539,630 1,182 0.8
Dallas 2,218,899 3,200 1.4
Harris 3,400,578 21,630 6.4
Travis 812,280 2,797 3.4
*Based on 2006 population data
21
DRAFT
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
C h a p t e r 3
The amount of available park acres per 1,000 residents was projected for Bexar
County using population estimates for 2010, 2015, and 2020 (Chart 1). The data
suggests that the current park system will not keep up with future demand.
Chart 1: County-Wide Park LOS by Provider, 2000 - 2020
-
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
2000 2006 2010 2015 2020
Year
Acresper1,000Residents
San Antonio State of Texas Bexar County SARA US Government
Table 8 provides a summary of the number of park acres that Bexar County would
need to acquire in order to achieve various LOS ratios. To maintain the current LOS
of 0.8 acres per 1,000 residents, the county would need to add approximately 142
acres to its system by 2010 and continue expanding the system to add a total of 263
acres by the year 2020.
Table 8. Additional Park Acres Needed to Achieve Specified
LOS Ratio
LOS Ratio 2006 2010 2015 2020
0.8 (Bexar) 0 142 206 263
1.4 (Dallas) 974 1,003 1,108 1,202
3.4 (Travis) 4,053 4,125 4,380 4,608
The amount of available park acres per 1,000
residents was projected for Bexar County using
population estimates for 2010, 2015, and 2020
(Chart 1). The data suggests that the current park
system will not keep up with future demand.
Table 8 provides a summary of the number of
park acres that Bexar County would need to ac-
quire in order to achieve various LOS ratios. To
maintain the current LOS of 0.8 acres per 1,000
residents, the county would need to add ap-
proximately 142 acres to its system by 2010 and
continue expanding the system to add a total of
263 acres by the year 2020.
22
DRAFT
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
13
acres to its system by 2010 and continue expanding the system to add a total of 263
acres by the year 2020.
Table 8. Additional Park Acres Needed to Achieve Specified
LOS Ratio
LOS Ratio 2006 2010 2015 2020
0.8 (Bexar) 0 142 206 263
1.4 (Dallas) 974 1,003 1,108 1,202
3.4 (Travis) 4,053 4,125 4,380 4,608
6.4 (Harris) 8,672 8,807 9,287 9,716
3. Demands Assessment
The demand-based approach is a micro-level analysis that relies on information
gathered from participation rates, surveys, and other information that indicates how
3. Demands Assessment
The demand-based approach is a micro-level
analysis that relies on information gathered from
participation rates, surveys, and other informa-
tion that indicates how much of the population
wants certain types of facilities. “Demands” have
been gathered from stakeholder questionnaires,
comments made during public meetings, and us-
er-intercept surveys.
Stakeholder Involvement
Stakeholder questionnaires were used to identi-
fy park priorities of county-elected officials and
staff, civic leaders, and community activists. The
questionnaire consisted of 23 questions that al-
lowed respondents to rate the adequacy of exist-
ing facilities, provide feedback on their individual
park experiences, and identify opportunities for
future improvement. A complete list of questions
is included in Appendix C.
Local park experts and county staff were also
asked to identify priorities for the parks system.
The highest priorities listed were to:
1.	 Expand the existing park system;
2.	 Acquire additional natural areas;
3.	 Accommodate future population growth;
4.	 Provide park facilities to unincorporated
areas of the county;
5.	 Complete construction of Lakewood Acres
and Hilltop Acres;
6.	 Provide efficient maintenance;
7.	 Provide security in park facilities.
23
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NEEDS ASSESSMENT
C h a p t e r 3
Public Input
Park User-Intercept Surveys
In addition to stakeholder interviews, the public
was engaged in the planning process by a field
survey method called intercept surveying. Inter-
cept surveying is a face-to-face, random survey
method that was conducted at county park facili-
ties as well as several commercial areas. A total
of 1,014 surveys were conducted. Those surveyed
were asked to provide basic demographic infor-
mation, including age, household income, and
ethnicity. Survey questions were also designed to
obtain current user preferences and to identify
individual park needs. A complete list of ques-
tions and a summary of results is found in Ap-
pendix D.
Community Meetings
A series of public meetings were held at key
milestones in the planning process. The purpose
of these meetings was to inform the community
of the development of the Bexar County Parks &
Open Space Master Plan. Participants were given
an overview of the planning process and provid-
ed an inventory of existing facilities. They were
then asked to provide feedback regarding exist-
ing park conditions and to identify opportunities
for future improvements.
Public Involvement Summary
The highest priorities of the Bexar County parks
system identified by existing and potential park
users are to:
1. Provide better maintenance of existing 		
parks;
2. Provide more park amenities and comfort
items including restrooms, water fountains,
shade areas, and trash receptacles;
3. Provide more recreational amenities,
including basketball courts, swimming pools,
tennis courts, and nature trails.
4. Significant Natural and Cultural Resources
The resource-based approach examines the as-
sets and resources of the area for open space,
parks and recreation facilities, and defines how
these resources can be utilized. For example,
the availability of a lake or river within an area
is a resource which can be utilized in developing
a park system.
Much of Bexar County is situated along the Bal-
cones Escarpment, which is the exposed portion
of the Balcones Fault that runs along Interstate
Highway (IH) 35 through central Texas. The ge-
ography north of the escarpment consists of
24
DRAFT
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
Figure 6
Significant Natural Resources
rocky hills and canyons that make up the Texas
hill country. Also located in this area is the Ed-
wards Aquifer, which is the primary source of
water for the greater San Antonio area (Figure
6). South of the escarpment are the low-lying
Coastal Plains and Blackland Prairie. The San An-
tonio River, the principal river in Bexar County,
begins approximately four miles north of down-
town San Antonio and flows southeast through
the county. Other major streams in the county
include the Medina River, Medio, Leon, Helotes,
Olmos, Salado, Calaveras, and Cibolo creeks.
Several large man-made lakes in the county in-
clude Calaveras Lake, Braunig Lake, and Mitch-
ell Lake.
Bexar County is one of only eight counties in
Texas with three of the eleven different natu-
ral regions found within a single county. These
include the Edwards Plateau, Blackland Prairie,
and South Texas Brush Country. The most distin-
guished of the three regions, the Edwards Pla-
teau, is located in the northwest section of the
Stone, Dan and Geary M. Schindel. The Application of
GIS in Support of Land Acquisition for the Protection of
Sensitive Groundwater Recharge Properties in the Ed-
wards Aquifer of South-Central Texas. Journal of Cave
and Karst Studies 64(1): 38-44.
Handbook of Texas Online: http://www.tsha.
utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/SS/rns6.html.
Last accessed August 15, 2007.
6
7
6
7
25
DRAFT
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
C h a p t e r 3
San Antonio River Authority. “River Improvements to Provide
City with Limitless Benefits”. http://www.sara-tx.org/site/pub-
lic_info/news_releases/project_benefits.html. Last accessed:
10/14/07.
8
8
county. This region contains soils that are usually
shallow, underlain by limestone. Typical plant
species may include ashe juniper, texas oak,
and live oak in the southern and eastern can-
yon-lands, and mesquite in the west. Wildlife
typically distributed in the area includes various
mammals, reptiles, birds, and amphibians. Addi-
tionally, Bexar County contains habitat for nearly
30 federally listed threatened and endangered
plant and animal species (Appendix B).
There are 161 historic markers and 22 historic
districts in Bexar County. These are primarily lo-
cated in downtown San Antonio, and along the
San Antonio River. A complete cultural resources
inventory is found in Appendix B. In addition, the
San Antonio River Authority is currently oversee-
ing a ten-year project to develop the portion of
the river that flows through central San Antonio.
The improvements will occur along the four-mile
Museum Reach, which is north of the downtown
area, and the nine-mile Mission Reach, which is
south of downtown. The goal of the project is to
provide flood control while increasing recreation-
al and economic development opportunities. The
project also aims to extend the amenities of the
River Walk into areas of Museum Reach that are
currently inaccessible due to sheer banks, veg-
etative growth, and the lack of pathways. Ad-
ditionally, the project will restore native habitat
and the natural meander of the river along Mis-
26
DRAFT
FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
1. Goals and Objectives
The Bexar County parks and open space system
will consist of parks, natural areas, and linear
greenways that foster community gatherings,
provide opportunities for active and passive rec-
reation for area residents, and preserve signifi-
cant natural and cultural resources. Specific goals
of the open space master plan were developed
from feedback received during the community
and stakeholder and involvement process are to:
 Protect wildlife and endangered species
habitat and restore damaged ecosystems;
 Preserve significant natural and cultural re
sources, including historic landscapes;
 Ensure compatibility with the development
of area hike and bike trails;
 Develop a system of interconnected linear
parks (greenways) that extend along area
rivers and creeks;
 Support local initiatives to improve open
space development along the San Antonio
river corridor, including the development of
the Mission Reach and Museum Reach
projects;
 Provide a park system that is accessible for
all Bexar County residents;
 Preserve existing park investments;
 Develop partnership opportunities for
parks system.
2. Proposed Implementation
Recommendations for improvements to the Bex-
ar County parks system were developed based on
the county’s goals and objectives, existing and
forecasted park LOS, user and stakeholder needs
and priorities, and the availability of significant
natural and cultural features within the county.
If implemented, these improvements would serve
to maintain existing Bexar County investments,
upgrade existing facilities to current standards,
and accommodate future demand. The recom-
mended improvements are summarized in the
following sections.
Parks System Operation and Maintenance
Issues related to maintenance, security, and gen-
eral cleanup of existing parks and facilities were
identified through the user surveys and commu-
nity meetings. Since general park maintenance
is an ongoing expense for the county, it is benefi-
cial to establish a standard of operation to which
park maintenance providers can adhere to.
27
DRAFT
FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION
C h a p t e r 4
The NRPA lists six maintenance modes for parks
and open space in the 1986 report. The modes
range from one to six, with one being the most
intensive maintenance plan, and six being the
least intensive. A definition for each mode is
provided below.
 Mode I: State of the art maintenance applied to
a high quality diverse landscape. Usually associ-
ated with high traffic urban areas such as public
squares, malls, governmental grounds or visita-
tion parks;
 Mode II: High level maintenance; associated
with will developed park areas with reasonably
high visitation;
 Mode III: Moderate level maintenance; associ-
ated with locations with moderate to low levels
of development, moderate to low levels of visita-
tion, or agencies that due to budget constraints
can not afford more intense maintenance;
 Mode IV: Moderately low level; usually associ-
ated with a low rate of development, low visita-
tion, undeveloped areas, or remote parks;
 Mode V: High visitation natural areas; usually
associated with large urban or regional parks.
Size and user frequency may dictate resident
maintenance staff. Road, pathway or trail sys-
tems relatively well developed. Other facilities
at strategic locations such as entries, trail heads,
building complexes and parking lots; and
 Mode VI: Minimum maintenance level; low visi-
tation natural areas or large urban parks that re-
main undeveloped.
Based on current park acreages and usage trends,
Bexar County would benefit from a Mode III for
the majority of the parks system. A Mode II main-
tenance plan would be appropriate for higher use
parks, including MacArthur, Mission, Comanche,
and Raymond Russell.
Existing Park Improvements
A total of $5,925,000 was allocated in the 2003
Bond Proposition 3 to provide for the purchase,
acquisition, construction, and equipping of parks
and recreation improvements and venues in Bex-
ar County. This included funding for cultural, ed-
ucational, historical document preservation and
museum facilities. Of the 14 projects identified,
seven of the projects, totaling $4,575,000, were
public partnerships designed to leverage addi-
tional investments in park and cultural facilities.
The remaining $1.35 million was allocated for
specific improvements to the following existing
county park facilities:
	 Lakewood Acres, $400,000
	 Bullis Park, $125,000
	 Comanche Park, $200,000
	 Orsinger Park, $125,000
28
DRAFT
FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
	 Raymond Russell, $250,000
	 Rodriguez, $250,000
Total: $1,350,000
In addition to the six parks identified in the 2003
bond package, the county recently acquired Hill-
top Acres through the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency Flood Buyout program. Hilltop
Acres is approximately 50 acres of land located
in the far western section of the county (Pre-
cinct 1). Recommendations are to develop the
area into a regional park that will be opened to
the public after 2008. Total estimated cost for
the project is $332,750.
New Park Acquisition
Selections for new park locations considered sev-
eral criteria, including; 1) the availability of de-
velopable acres; 2) LOS based on existing park
distribution and projected population estimates;
3) compatibility with area hike and bike trails;
4) compatibility with other open space projects;
and 5) presence of significant natural and cul-
tural features. Nine sites were identified as loca-
tions for new park acquisition (Figure 7). Table
11 is an evaluation matrix that lists criteria used
to identify proposed park sites. The park identi-
fication number, number acres, and county pre-
cinct are included for reference.
Figure 7
Proposed Park Sites
29
DRAFT
FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION
C h a p t e r 4
Summary of Recommended Improvements by
Precinct
Precinct 1
 Acquire new park acreage at Site G to
develop a community park that will
provide additional facilities in the area
currently served by Mission Park
 Acquire new park acreage at Site I to develop
a nature preserve/greenway for preservation
of significant birding area
 Acquire new park acreage at Site H to
develop a nature preserve/greenway
 Develop outdoor recreational facilities,
including a greenway for Hilltop Acres
Precinct 2
 Acquire new park acreage at Site C to
develop a community park that will meet
existing and future population demand in
the area
 Acquire new park acreage at Site D to
develop a community park that will meet
existing and future population demand in the
area
 Rehabilitate outdoor park and recreational
facilities at Rodriguez Park
Bexar County Parks and Open Space
Infrastructure Services Department 2008-2020 Master Plan
Table 9. Park Acquisition Evaluation Matrix
Park ID Acres Precinct
Achieves
Minimum
LOS Ratio
(0.8)
Adjacency to
100-Year
Floodplain
Project
Compatible
with Other
Open
Space
Projects
Available
Open Space
Endangered
Species Habitat
Present
Site A 135 3
Site B 30 3
Site C 30 2
Site D 30 2
Site E 30 4
Site F 30 4
Site G 30 1
Site H 180 1
Site I 200 1
Site J 130 4
Summary of Recommended Improvements by Precinct
Precinct 1
Acquire new park acreage at Site G to develop a community park that will
provide additional facilities in the area currently served by Mission Park
Acquire new park acreage at Site I to develop a nature preserve/greenway
for preservation of significant birding area
Acquire new park acreage at Site H to develop a nature preserve/greenway
Develop outdoor recreational facilities, including a greenway for Hilltop
Acres
Precinct 2
Acquire new park acreage at Site C to develop a community park that will
meet existing and future population demand in the area
Acquire new park acreage at Site D to develop a community park that will
meet existing and future population demand in the area
Rehabilitate outdoor park and recreational facilities at Rodriguez Park
Precinct 3
Acquire new park acreage at Site B to develop a community park that will
provide additional facilities in the area currently served by Raymond Russell
Park
30
DRAFT
FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
Precinct 3
 Acquire new park acreage at Site B to
develop a community park that will provide
additional facilities in the area currently
served by Raymond Russell Park
 Acquire new park acreage at Site A to
develop a nature preserve/greenway for
preservation of the Edwards Aquifer and
critical animal species habitat
 Develop outdoor recreational facilities, includ
ing a linear park/greenway at Lakewood Acres
 Develop outdoor recreational facilities for
Bullis Park
 Provide park-like improvements on approxi
mately 3.5 acres of dedicated land adjacent
to Raymond Russell
Precinct 4
 Acquire new park acreage at Site F to
develop a community park that will provide
additional facilities in the area currently
served by Comanche Park
 Acquire new park acreage at Site E to
develop a community park that will provide
additional facilities in the area currently
served by MacArthur Park
 Acquire new park acreage at Site J to
develop a community park that will
provide additional facilities in the area
currently served by MacArthur Park
 Rehabilitate outdoor park and recreational
facilities at Comanche Park
31
DRAFT
FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION
C h a p t e r 4
Bexar County Parks and Open Space
Infrastructure Services Department 2008-2020 Master Plan
Proposed Project List and Budgets
Name Park Type** Acres Description
2007 Estimated
Development Cost* Precinct
Site A Nature Preserve/Greenway 135 New acquisition $0.95 Million 3
Site B Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 3
Site C Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 2
Site D Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 2
Site E Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 4
Site F Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 4
Site G Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 1
Site H Nature Preserve 180 New acquisition $1.26 Million 1
Site I Nature Preserve 200 New acquisition $1.40 Million 1
Site J Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 4
Total 725 $10.96 Million
Name Park Type Acres Description Precinct
Hilltop Acres Greenway 50 Develop outdoor recreation facilities $1.33 Million 1
Lakewood Acres Greenway 175 Complete construction $0.90 Million 3
Bullis Park Community Park 51 Develop outdoor recreation facilities $1.10 Million 3
Comanche Park Community Park 40
Rehabilitate outdoor park and recreational
facilities $1.95 Million 4
Raymond Russell Neighborhood Park 23
Improve existing facility; acquire land and
construct new facility $1.27 Million 3
Rodriguez Community Park 39
Rehabilitate outdoor park and recreational
facilities $2.12 Million 2
Total 378 $8.67 Million
TOTAL $19.63 Million
*Note:
Park development costs - $70,000 per acre
Nature preserve- Developed at 10% of available acreage
Community Park - Developed at 50% of available acreage
Neighborhood Park - Developed at 100% of available acreage
**See Appendix F for park classifications
Existing Park Improvements
Bexar County Parks and Open Space Master Plan, 2008-2018: Project List and Budgets
Proposed Park Acquisitions
3. Funding Options
The vision for the Bexar County parks system requires an overall funding strategy that
incorporates finance options for each park, trail, open space parcel, or recreation
facility that comprises the system. The complete park funding plan would involve a
combination of revenue sources, cost avoidance strategies, and efficient management
to achieve the county’s goals. Accordingly, several tools and funding sources that
Name Park Type** Acres Description
2007 Estimated
Development Cost* Precinct
Site A Nature Preserve/Greenway 135 New acquisition $0.95 Million 3
Site B Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 3
Site C Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 2
Site D Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 2
Site E Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 4
Site F Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 4
Site G Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 1
Site H Nature Preserve 180 New acquisition $1.26 Million 1
Site I Nature Preserve 200 New acquisition $1.40 Million 1
Site J Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 4
Total 725 $10.96 Million
Name Park Type Acres Description Precinct
Hilltop Acres Greenway 50 Develop outdoor recreation facilities $1.33 Million 1
Lakewood Acres Greenway 175 Complete construction $0.90 Million 3
Bullis Park Community Park 51 Develop outdoor recreation facilities $1.10 Million 3
Comanche Park Community Park 40
Rehabilitate outdoor park and recreational
facilities $1.95 Million 4
Raymond Russell Neighborhood Park 23
Improve existing facility; acquire land and
construct new facility $1.27 Million 3
Rodriguez Community Park 39
Rehabilitate outdoor park and recreational
facilities $2.12 Million 2
Total 378 $8.67 Million
TOTAL $19.63 Million
*Note:
Park development costs - $70,000 per acre (does not include land acquisition costs)
Nature preserve- Developed at 10% of available acreage
Community Park - Developed at 50% of available acreage
Neighborhood Park - Developed at 100% of available acreage
**See Appendix E for park classifications
Existing Park Improvements
Bexar County Parks and Open Space Master Plan, 2008-2018: Project List and Budgets
Proposed Park Acquisitions
32
DRAFT
FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
3. Funding Options
The vision for the Bexar County parks system re-
quires an overall funding strategy that incorpo-
rates finance options for each park, trail, open
space parcel, or recreation facility that compris-
es the system. The complete park funding plan
would involve a combination of revenue sources,
cost avoidance strategies, and efficient manage-
ment to achieve the county’s goals. Accordingly,
several tools and funding sources that could be
used to implement the proposed park improve-
ments are identified below.
 Ad Valorem Taxes: Ad valorem tax revenues
(including sales and use, and property taxes)
comprised over 60 percent of Bexar County’s an-
nual general fund revenue in FY 2006-2007. Bexar
County may choose to increase these taxes and
earmark the additional funds to accomplish sev-
eral of the proposed park improvements. While
this would require voter approval, this finance
method could generate substantial revenues for
park improvements and help foster public sup-
port for the parks and open space initiatives.
 Bonds: A bond is a debt security issued by a
state, municipality or county in order to finance
capital improvements. In typical bond structures,
investors loan money to an entity for a defined
period of time and interest rate. In 2003, Bexar
County approved a $99.2 million bond package to
fund capital improvement projects in four major
areas that included parks and recreation.
 User Fees: These include direct fees (recre-
ation fees, picnic pavilion fees, field rentals)
that are charged for the provision of services or
facility use. User fees are only collected from
those who use a particular facility. User fees are
successful in recouping some of the costs associ-
ated with operations, facility maintenance, and
capital replacement.
 Grants
o Texas Recreation & Parks Grant: TPWD through
the Texas Recreation & Parks Account provides
funding for recreational parks, trails and indoor
recreational facilities. Up to a 50 percent match
(or up to $500,000) can be obtained for new park
and trail facilities. Submissions are usually ac-
cepted in January and July of each year.
o Recreational Trails Program Funds: The cur-
rent federal transportation funding legislation,
SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Ef-
ficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for
Users) authorizes and provides funding for the
Recreational Trails Program (RTP). These funds
are made available to state governments to de-
velop and maintain recreational trails and trail-
related facilities for both motorized and non-
motorized recreational trail uses. RTP funds are
33
DRAFT
FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION
C h a p t e r 4
administered by TPWD and awarded annually on
a competitive basis to local governments.
o Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF):
These monies are made available to federal,
state and local governments through the Land
and Water Conservation Act of 1965. The LWCF
allows entities to purchase land, water and wet-
lands for the benefit of the public good. Funds
are administered annually and may be made
available for a 3-year period.
Public-Private Partnerships: Partnering with
private entities would allow the county to access
funding sources outside traditional tax revenues.
Private partnerships are most viable when they
involve high profile projects that are of interest
to corporate entities and when a public entity
has a well-established partnership policy. See
Section 4: Related Economic Development Initia-
tives.
Public-Public Partnerships: Partnering with
other departments or agencies would allow the
county to access tax revenues from multiple bud-
get sources to raise dollars necessary for capital
expenses that might otherwise not be available
at the scale needed by either of the individual
entities entering into the partnership.
Bexar County, the City of San Antonio, and SARA
(the San Antonio River Authority) have devel-
oped a comprehensive 10 year capital improve-
ment plan for flood control and drainage. This
plan includes 26 new projects and covers five
watersheds: Cibolo Creek, Leon Creek, Medina
River, San Antonio River, and Salado Creek. This
is in addition to the San Antonio River Improve-
ments Project, which is a collaborative effort of
the County, the City, SARA, the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers and private enterprise. This project
consists of the environmental restoration, ame-
nity and flood control improvements to 13 miles
of the San Antonio River north and south of down-
town.
The total cost of the plan is estimated to be $550
million, and would be financed over a 10 year pe-
riod with proceeds from the Flood Control portion
of the County’s ad valorem taxes. While these
funds are not an additional revenue source for
parks planning, the project offers opportunities
for trail and open space development in parcels
adjacent to area floodways.
4. Related Economic Development Initiatives
Additional tools that are currently in use by the
county which can be used to implement park im-
provements include tax increment reinvestment
zones (TIRZ) and public infrastructure districts
(PID).
34
DRAFT
FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION
Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones
Tax increment financing (TIF) is a tool that local
governments can use to publicly finance needed
structural improvements and enhance infrastruc-
ture within a defined area. These improvements
usually are undertaken to promote the viability
of existing businesses and to attract new com-
mercial enterprises to the area. Under a TIF, the
property owner pays taxes on the full value of
the property, and the taxing entities pay into
the TIF fund the taxes attributed to the added
value of the land due to the new development.
TIFs may be initiated only by a city. If a property
is located outside of the city limits (within the
city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction or beyond), it
is not eligible for tax increment financing unless
annexed into the city.
A TIRZ is an area in which tax increment financ-
ing is being used to attract development or re-
development. A TIRZ must meet set criteria for
designation, including substandard or blighted
conditions, open area due to obsolete platting
or deterioration, or by petition of 50 percent of
property owners in the district. Currently, there
are 17 active and 11 pending TIRZs located with-
in Bexar County.
Public Improvement District
A PID is a financing method for making public
street, water or sewer improvements to a neigh-
borhood.. Property owners who benefit from
installation of the improvements pay for them
through special assessments levied on their
property. In addition to financing infrastructure
improvements such as roadways, parking, and
mass transit, PIDs can be used for the establish-
ment or improvement of parks, recreation and
cultural facilities. Currently, there are 3 active
and 4 planned PIDs within the county
Figure 8 shows the location of TIRZs and PIDs in
Bexar County.
Bexar County could achieve several of its parks
and open space goals through the current TIRZ
and PID programs. While the county has achieved
some of these goals without these tools, it is
recommended that existing TIRZ and PID policy
be amended to include specific requirements for
parks and open space.
11Texas Local Government Code. Chapter 372: Improvement
Districts in Municipalities and Counties.
1110
The statutes governing tax increment financing are
located in Chapter 311 of the Texas Tax Code.
10
35
DRAFT
FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION
C h a p t e r 4
Figure 8
TIRZ & PID in San Antonio
36
DRAFT
A p p e n d i c e s
37
38
DRAFT
A p p e n d i x A : B e x a r C o u n t y P a r k s I n v e n t o r y
39
40
Bexar County Inventory: ALL PARKS
Bexar County Parks and Open Space Master Plan 2008-2020
Playground
BasketballPad
Volleyball
TennisCourt
SoccerField
Practice/ActiveRec
FootballField
LightedSoftball
PracticeSoftball
LightedBaseball
PracticeBaseball
CommunityCenter
Restrooms
Pavilion
Fishing/BoatLaunch
Picnic
Path/Trail(miles)
GolfCourse(#holes)
CommunityGarden
Parking
Address
Acreage
TotalAcres(bycategory)
TotalParks
Community Parks
Bullis Park 1 1 1 26 0.36 75 27583 Bullis Rd. 51.0
Comanche 4 7 2 5 4 133 254 2600 Rigsby 40.0
Covington Park 2600 Rigsby 19.3
Hidalgo Park 1 2 0.27 2.29 100 Hidalgo St. 2.3
Lakewood Acres* 1 1 2 1 Y 1 9 20 1.57 175 175.0
MacArthur Park 3 1 3 4 78 310 1611 NE Loop 410 13.0
Mission Park 2 6 4 1 4 1 3 5 4 237 1.3 504 6030 Padre Dr. 39.0
Orsinger Park 6 1 1 43 87 12230 Huebner Rd. 13.0
Padre Park 32 6030 Padre Dr. 32.0
Pletz Park 7 1 1 1 1 3 1 31 0.75 9 1400 Picardie 24.0
Raymond Russell Park 3 1 3 3 3 38 355 20644 IH 10 West 19.7
Rodriguez Park 2 2 4 2 2 4 6 3 93 1 335 2060 Rodriguez 39.0
467.3
Open Space
Covington (annex) 2600 Rigsby 5.5
Hilltop Acres* 50.3
Raymond Russell (annex) 20644 IH 10 West 3.3
59.1
Special Use Facilities
AT&T Center 3201 E Houston 170.0
Freeman Coliseum 3201 E Houston 5.0
175.0
Civic Centers
Harlandale Civic Center 1 1 42 115 W. Southcross 1.1
Navajo Civic Center 1 1 66 2600 Rigsby 1.0
South San Civic Center 1 1 7 503 W. Lovett 0.3
2.4
Joint-Use Facilities
Main Plaza 100 Dolorosa 0.5
Mission Reach 360.0
Museum Reach 27.4
Walker Ranch 12603 West Ave 90.0
477.9
Totals 28 18 6 10 6 4 3 0 11 0 0 3 31 29 0 701 5.25 0 0 1749 1181.6
*Note: Lakewood Acres and Hilltop Acres are currently under construction and closed to the public.
41
42
DRAFT
A p p e n d i x B : C u l t u r a l R e s o u r c e s I n v e n t o r y
43
44
45
46
47
48
DRAFT
A p p e n d i x C : S t a k e h o l d e r Q u e s t i o n n a i r e
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
DRAFT
A p p e n d i x D : U s e r - I n t e r c e p t S u r v e y
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
DRAFT
A p p e n d i x E : 	 N R PA P a r k C l a s s i f i c a t i o n s
a n d S t a n d a r d s f o r P a r k A c r e a g e
75
76
77
78
DRAFT
A p p e n d i x F : N R PA P a r k M a i n t e n a n c e
S t a n d a r d s ( e x c e r p t )
79
80
MODE I
State of the art maintenance applied to a high quality diverse landscape.
Usually associated with high traffic urban areas such as public squares, malls, governmental grounds or high visitation parks.
1. Turf care - Grass height maintained according to species
and variety of grass. Mowed at least once every five working
days but may be as often as once every three working days.
Aeration as required, not less than four times per year.
Reseeding or sodding as needed. Weed control should be
practiced so that no more than one percent of the surface has
weeds present.
2. Fertilizer - Adequate fertilization applied to plant species
according to their optimum requirements. Turf species should
follow the chart on page 00 for recommended rates.
Application rates and times should ensure an even supply of
nutrients for the entire year. Nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium percentages should follow local recommendations
from your County Extension Service. Trees, shrubs and
flowers should be fertilized according to their individual
requirements of nutrients for optimum growth. Unusually long
or short growing seasons may modify the chart slightly.
3. Irrigation - Sprinkler irrigated. Electric automatic commonly
used. Some manual systems could be considered adequate
under plentiful rainfall circumstances and adequate staffing.
Frequency of use follows rainfall, temperature, seasonal length
and demands of plant material.
4. Litter control - Minimum of once per day, 7 days per week.
Extremely high visitation may increase the frequency.
Receptacles should be plentiful enough to hold all trash
generated between servicing without normally overflowing.
5. Pruning - Frequency dictated primarily by species and
variety of trees and shrubs. Length of growing season and
design concept also a controlling factor as are clipped hedges
versus natural style. Timing usually scheduled to coincide with
low demand periods or to take advantage of special growing
characteristics such as low demand periods or to take
advantage of special growing characteristics such as pruning
after flowering.
6. Disease and Insect Control - Control program may use
any of three philosophies: 1.) Preventative; a scheduled
chemical or cultural program designed to prevent significant
damage. 2.) Corrective; application of chemical or mechanical
controls designed to eliminate observed problems. 3.)
Integrated pest management; withholding any controls until
such time as pests demonstrate damage to plant materials or
become a demonstrated irritant in the case of flies,
mosquitoes, gnats, etc. At this maintenance level the
controlling objective is to not have the public notice any
problems. It is anticipated at Mode I that problems will either
be prevented or observed at a very early stage and corrected
immediately.
7. Snow removal - Snow removal starts the same day as
accumulations of ½ inch are present. At no time will snow be
permitted to cover transportation or parking surfaces longer
than noon of the day after the snow stops. Applications of
snow melting compound and/or gravel are appropriate to
reduce the danger of injury due to falls.
- continued on next page -
81
MODE I
Page 2
8. Lighting - Maintenance should preserve the original design.
Damaged systems should be repaired as quickly as they are
discovered. Bulb replacement should be done during the first
working day after the outage is reported.
9. Surfaces - Sweeping, cleaning and washing of surfaces
needs to be done so that at no time does an accumulation of
sand, dirt and leaves distract from the looks or safety of the
area. Repainting or restaining of structures should occur when
weather or wear deteriorate the appearance of the covering.
Wood surfaces requiring oiling should be done a minimum of
four times per year. Stains to surfaces should be taken off
within five working days. Graffiti should be washed off or
painted over the next working day after application.
10. Repairs - Repairs to all elements of the design should be
done immediately upon discovery provided replacement parts
and technicians are available to accomplish the job. When
disruption to the public might be major and the repair not
critical, repairs may be postponed to a time period which is
least disruptive.
11. Inspection - Inspections of this area should be done daily
by a member of staff.
12. Floral plantings - Normally extensive or unusual floral
plantings are part of the design. These may include ground
level beds, planters or hanging baskets. Often multiple
plantings are scheduled, usually at least two blooming cycles
per year. Some designs may call for a more frequent rotation
of bloom. Maximum care of watering, fertilizing, disease
control, disbudding and weeding is necessary. Weeding
flowers and shrubs is done a minimum of once per week. The
desired standard is essentially weed free.
13. Rest rooms - Not always a part of the design but where
required will normally receive no less than once per day
servicing. Especially high traffic areas may require multiple
servicing or a person assigned as attendant.
14. Special features - Features such as fountains, drinking
fountains, sculpture, speaker systems, structural art, flag poles
or parking and crowd control devices may be part of the
integral design. Maintenance requirements can vary drastically
but for this mode it should be of the highest possible order.
82
MODE II
High level maintenance – associated with well developed park areas with reasonably high visitation.
1. Turf care - Grass cut once every five working days.
Aeration as required but not less than two times per year.
Reseeding or sodding when bare spots are present. Weed
control practiced when weeds present visible problem or when
weeds represent 5 percent of the turf surface. Some pre-
emergent products may be utilized at this level.
2. Fertilizer - Adequate fertilizer level to ensure that all plant
materials are healthy and growing vigorously. Amounts
depend on species, length of growing season, soils and
rainfall. Rates should correspond to the lowest recommended
rates shown on the chart on page 14. Distribution should
ensure an even supply of nutrients for the entire year.
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium percentage should follow
local recommendations from the County Extension Service.
Trees, shrubs and flowers should receive fertilizer levels to
ensure optimum growth.
3. Irrigation - Some type of irrigation system available.
Frequency of use follows rainfall, temperature, seasonal
length, and demands of plant material.
4. Litter control - Minimum of once per day, five days a week.
Off-site movement of trash dependent on size of containers
and use by the public. High use may dictate once per day
cleaning or more. Containers are serviced.
5. Pruning - Usually done at least once per season unless
species planted dictate more frequent attention. Sculptured
hedges or high growth species may dictate a more frequent
requirement than most trees and shrubs in natural growth style
plantings.
6. Disease and Insect Control - Usually done when disease
or insects are inflicting noticeable damage, reducing vigor of
plant materials or could be considered a bother to the public.
Some preventative measures may be utilized such as
systemic chemical treatments. Cultural prevention of disease
problems can reduce time spent in this category. Some minor
problems may be tolerated at this level.
7. Snow removal - Snow removed by noon the day following
snowfall. Gravel or snow melt may be utilized to reduce ice
accumulation.
8. Lighting - Replacement or repair of fixtures when observed
or reported as not working.
9. Surfaces - Should be cleaned, repaired, repainted or
replaced when appearance has noticeably deteriorated.
10. Repairs - Should be done whenever safety, function, or
bad appearance is in question.
11. Inspection - Inspection by some staff member at least
once a day when regular staff is scheduled.
12. Floral planting - Some sort of floral plantings present.
Normally no more complex than two rotations of bloom per
year. Care cycle usually at least once per week except
watering may be more frequent. Health and vigor dictate cycle
of fertilization and disease control. Beds essentially kept weed
free.
13. Rest rooms - When present should be maintained at least
once per day as long as they are open to public use. High use
may dictate two servicings or more per day. Servicing period
should ensure an adequate supply of paper and that rest
rooms are reasonably clean and free from bad odors.
14. Special features - Should be maintained for safety,
function and high quality appearance as per established
design.
83
MODE III
Moderate level maintenance – associated with locations with moderate to low levels of development, moderate to low levels of
visitation or with agencies that because of budget restrictions can't afford a higher intensity of maintenance.
1. Turf care - Cut once every 10 working days. Normally not
aerated unless turf quality indicates a need or in anticipation of
an application of fertilizer. Reseeding or resodding done only
when major bare spots appear. Weed control measures
normally used when 50 percent of small areas is weed
infested or general turf quality low in 15 percent or more of the
surface area.
2. Fertilizer - Applied only when turf vigor seems to be low.
Low level application done on a once per year basis. Rate
suggested is one-half the level recommended on page 14 for
species and variety.
3. Irrigation - Dependent on climate. Rainfall locations above
25 inches a year usually rely on natural rainfall with the
possible addition of portable irrigation during periods of
drought. Dry climates below 25 inches normally have some
form of supplemental irrigation. When irrigation is automatic a
demand schedule is programmed. Where manual servicing is
required two to three times per week operation would be the
norm.
4. Litter control - Minimum service of two to three times per
week. High use may dictate higher levels during warm season.
5. Pruning - When required for health or reasonable
appearance. With most tree and shrub species this would not
be more frequent than once every two or three years.
6. Disease and Insect Control - Done only on epidemic or
serious complaint basis. Control measures may be put into
effect when the health or survival of the plant material is
threatened or where public's comfort is concerned.
7. Snow removal - Snow removal done based on local law
requirements but generally accomplished by the day following
snowfall. Some crosswalks or surfaces may not be cleared at
all.
8. Lighting - Replacement or repair of fixtures when report
filed or when noticed by employees.
9. Surfaces - Cleaned on complaint basis. Repaired or
replaced as budget allows.
10. Repairs - Should be done whenever safety or function is in
question.
11. Inspection - Once per week.
12. Floral planting - Only perennials or flowering trees or
shrubs.
13. Rest rooms - When present, serviced a minimum of 5
times per week. Seldom more than once each day.
14. Special features - Minimum allowable maintenance for
features present with function and safety in mind.
84
MODE IV
Moderately low level – usually associated with low level of development, low visitation, undeveloped areas or remote parks.
1. Turf care - Low frequency mowing schedule based on
species. Low growing grasses may not be mowed. High
grasses may receive periodic mowing to aid public use or
reduce fire danger. Weed control limited to legal requirements
of noxious weeds.
2. Fertilizer - Not fertilized.
3. Irrigation - No irrigation.
4. Litter control - Once per week or less. Complaint may
increase level above one servicing.
5. Pruning - No regular trimming. Safety or damage from
weather may dictate actual work schedule.
6. Disease and Insect Control - None except where epidemic
and epidemic condition threatens resource or public.
7. Snow removal - None except where major access ways or
active parking areas dictate the need for removal.
8. Lighting - Replacement on complaint or employee
discovery.
9. Surfaces - Replaced or repaired when safety is a concern
and when budget is available.
10. Repairs - Should be done when safety or function is in
question.
11. Inspection - Once per month.
12. Floral plantings - None, may have wildflowers,
perennials, flowering trees or shrubs in place.
13. Rest rooms - When present, five times per week.
14. Special features - Minimum maintenance to allow safe
use.
85
MODE V
High visitation natural areas – usually associated with large urban or regional parks. Size and user frequency may dictate resident
maintenance staff. Road, pathway or trail systems relatively well developed. Other facilities at strategic locations such as entries, trail
heads, building complexes and parking lots.
1. Turf care - Normally not mowed but grassed parking lots,
approaches to buildings or road shoulders, may be cut to
reduce fire danger. Weed control on noxious weeds.
2. Fertilizer - None.
3. Irrigation - None.
4. Litter control - Based on visitation, may be more than once
per day if crowds dictate that level.
5. Pruning - Only done for safety.
6. Disease and Insect Control - Done only to ensure safety
or when problem seriously discourages public use.
7. Snow removal - One day service on roads and parking
areas.
8. Lighting - Replaced on complaint or when noticed by
employees.
9. Surfaces - Cleaned on complaint. Repaired or replaced
when budget will permit.
10. Repairs - Done when safety or function impaired. Should
have same year service on poor appearance.
11. Inspection - Once per day when staff is available.
12. Floral planting - None introduced except at special
locations such as interpretive buildings, headquarters, etc.
Once per week service on these designs. Flowering trees and
shrubs, wildflowers, present but demand no regular
maintenance.
13. Rest rooms - Frequency geared to visitor level. Once a
day is the common routine but for some locations and reasons
frequency may be more often.
14. Special features - Repaired whenever safety or function
are a concern. Appearance corrected in the current budget
year.
86
MODE VI
Minimum maintenance level – low visitation natural area or large urban parks that are undeveloped.
1. Turf areas - Not mowed. Weed control only if legal
requirements demand it.
2. Fertilizer - Not fertilized.
3. Irrigation - No irrigation.
4. Litter control - On demand or complaint basis.
5. Pruning - No pruning unless safety is involved.
6. Disease and Insect Control - No control except in
epidemic or safety situations.
7. Snow removal - Snow removal only on strategic roads and
parking lots. Accomplished within two days after snow stops.
8. Lighting - Replacement on complaint basis.
9. Surfaces - Serviced when safety is consideration.
10. Repairs - Should be done when safety or function is in
question.
11. Inspection - Once per month.
12. Floral plantings - None.
13. Rest rooms - Service based on need.
14. Special features - Service based on lowest acceptable
frequency for feature. Safety and function interruption a
concern when either seem significant.
87

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Bexar County Parks and Open Space Master Plan

  • 1.
  • 2.
  • 3. DRAFT BEXAR COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES DEPARTMENT PARKS AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN 2008-2020 PREPARED BY: HNTB CORPORATION JANUARY 2008
  • 4.
  • 5. DRAFT TABLE OF CONTENTS Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan E X E C U T I V E S U M M A RY.............................................................................. PA R T O N E ................................................................................................ C H A P T E R I : I N T R O D U C T I O N ................................................................... 1. Plan Development Process ....................................................................... 2. Precinct Profiles................................................................................... C H A P T E R I I : I N V E N TO RY......................................................................... 1. County-wide Parks and Recreational Facilities................................................ 2. County-Owned Parks and Recreational Facilities.............................................. C H A P T E R I I I : N E E D S A S S E S S M E N T......................................................... 1. Approach............................................................................................ 2. Level of Service Analysis.......................................................................... 3. Demands Assessment.............................................................................. 4. Significant Natural and Cultural Resources..................................................... PA R T T W O ............................................................................................... C H A P T E R I V: F U N D I N G A N D I M P L E M E N TAT I O N ..................................... 1. Goals and Objectives.............................................................................. 2. Proposed Implementation......................................................................... 3. Funding Options.................................................................................... 4. Related Economic Development Initiatives.................................................... 1 5 5 7 9 14 14 15 21 21 21 23 25 27 27 27 27 33 34 i
  • 7. DRAFT TABLE OF CONTENTS Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan 37 39 43 49 57 75 79 A P P E N D I C E S ............................................................................................ Appendix A: Bexar County Parks Inventory............................................................. Appendix B: Cultural Resources Inventory.............................................................. Appendix C: Stakeholder Questionnaire................................................................ Appendix D: User-Intercept Survey...................................................................... Appendix E: NRPA Park Classifications and Standards for Park Acreage........................... Appendix F: NRPA Park Maintenance Standards (excerpt)........................................... ii
  • 9. DRAFT EXeCUTIVe SUMMARY Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan Background The Bexar County parks and open space system will consist of parks, natural areas, and linear greenways that foster community gatherings, provide opportunities for active and passive rec- reation for area residents, and preserve signifi- cant natural and cultural resources. Accordingly, this parks and open space master plan has been developed to reflect these values. The master plan follows the Texas Parks and Wild- life Department (TPWD) guidelines for a locally prepared master plan, which would make the county eligible for future grant funding for parks, if pursued. The planning horizon is 12 years, and covers the period from 2008 to 2020. Inventory Currently, there are approximately 25,066 acres of parkland in Bexar County which represents 235 parks. Approximately 4.7 percent (1,182 acres) of the parks are owned by Bexar County. Most parks fit into the neighborhood (10 acres or less) or community park (10-25 acres) category. Government Canyon, located over the Edward Aquifer Recharge Zone in precinct 2, accounts for a significant portion of the Bexar County park acreage with approximately 8,622 acres. Addi- tionally, with the exception of Bullis, Govern- ment Canyon and Calaveras Lake Park, most of the area outside San Antonio city limits is not currently being served by a park. For planning purposes, the county was divided into four sub areas that follow current Bexar County precinct boundaries. Precinct 1 has the largest total area and the most number of de- velopable acres. It also incorporates the historic Mission Reach project. Precinct 2 has the small- est geographical area and the most number of park acres. Precinct 3 has the most undeveloped acres, with Camp Bullis accounting for approxi- mately 12,000 acres. Precinct 4, which includes much of downtown San Antonio, has the greatest number of cultural resources present and also in- corporates the historic Museum Reach project. Park Usage According to the Bexar County parks department estimates, county parks served approximately 1.6 and 1.7 million attendees in FY 2005 - 2006 and FY 2006- 2007, respectively. The data also shows that Mission and Comanche are the most used in terms of attendance. When compared to the Bexar County parks system-wide average, the data suggests that Mission, Comanche, Ro- driguez, and Raymond Russell are over-burdened in terms of number of attendees per park acre. This has resulted in noticeable erosion of park resources within these facilities. Public/Stakeholder Input Input from the public and other stakeholders in the development of Bexar County parks master plan was obtained through stakeholder inter- 1
  • 10. DRAFT EXeCUTIVe SUMMARY E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y views and questionnaires, park user-intercept surveying, and community informational meet- ings. Existing and potential park users responded that the highest priorities of the Bexar County parks system should be to: 1.provide better maintenance of existing parks; 2.provide more park amenities and comfort items including restrooms, water fountains, shade ar- eas, and trash receptacles; 3.provide more recreational amenities, includ- ing basketball courts, swimming pools, tennis courts, and nature trails. Local park experts and county staff were also asked to identify priorities for the parks system. The highest priorities listed were to: 1.expand the existing park system through the acquisition of additional park lands and natural areas; 2.provide park facilities to unincorporated areas of the county to accommodate future demand; 3.develop the newly acquired county park facili- ties, including Lakewood and Hilltop Acres; 4.provide more efficient maintenance and secu- rity in existing park facilities. Needs Assessment and Recommendations TPWD in its Park, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan Guidelines, effective January 27, 2005 suggests three methods for assessing needs for a locally prepared master plan: (1) demand- based, (2) standard-based, and (3) resource- based. Since a single approach would not ade- quately assess parks and natural areas needs for the county, a combination of these three meth- ods was used. A total of ten new park acquisition sites are rec- ommended for completion by the year 2020 (Fig- ure 1). In addition, improvements to seven ex- isting facilities, as well as a facility maintenance plan are included in the overall parks program for a total budget of $19,630,000. In addition, funding options and recommended strategies are outlined in Chapter IV. Listed below is a sum- mary of recommended improvements identified from the needs assessment. These are divided into three categories: 1) operations and main- tenance; 2) existing park improvements; 3) new acquisitions. 2
  • 11. DRAFT EXeCUTIVe SUMMARY Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan Figure 1 Proposed Park Sites 3
  • 12. DRAFT EXeCUTIVe SUMMARY E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y Table ES-1. Draft Recommendations for Bexar County Parks System: 2008-2020 1. Operations and Maintenance  Based on current park acreages and usage trends, Bexar County would benefit from a Mode III maintenance plan for the majority of the parks system (see Chapter IV: Section 2). A Mode II maintenance plan would be appropriate for higher use parks, including MacArthur, Mission, Comanche, and Raymond Russell. 2. New Park Acquisitions  Provide additional park acreage with comparable facilities within the areas currently served by Mission, MacArthur, Comanche, and Raymond Russell to relieve these over-burden parks  Acquire park acreage for preservation of significant environmental areas in Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone (Site C) and Blue Wing Lake (Site H)  Acquire additional park acreage to provide adequate level of service by 2020 at sites D, I, J 3. Existing Park Improvements  Develop the recently acquired Lakewood and Hilltop Acres  Complete the park improvements identified in the 2003 Bexar County Bond Package for Bullis, Comanche, Orsinger, Raymond Russell, and Rodriguez parks 4
  • 13. DRAFT INTRODUCTiON Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan Introduction The Excellent City Park System, a publication by the Trust for Public Land, finds that a quality parks and open space system is a form of natu- ral infrastructure that can provide many benefits to a community. The report states that parks, when taken collectively, can result in:  Cleaner air, as trees and vegetation filter out pollutants and produce oxygen;  Cleaner water, as vegetation would filter run -off into streams, rivers, and lakes;  More opportunities for physical fitness and lower health problems related to sedentary lifestyles;  Increased tourism and commerce related to successful parks; and  Natural beauty and buffers from traffic and noise. Bexar County Existing Environment Bexar County is located in south central Texas, where the Texas Hill Country and the South Texas Plains meet. The county covers an area of ap- proximately 1,260 square miles and encompasses San Antonio, which is Texas’ second largest city and home to over 1 million people. Bexar Coun- ty is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. The county is currently ranked number 21 in the top 25 counties for largest population growth between 1990 and 2000, and number 25 in the top 25 counties with the largest number of ew private housing units. Bexar County is served by four major interstate highways, four major United States highways, State Highway 16, and Loop 1604, which is the outer loop around the city of San Antonio. While most of its population (approximately 82 per- cent) resides within the San Antonio city limits, other population centers within the county in- clude the towns of Alamo Heights, Castle Hills, Converse, Helotes, Leon Valley, Kirby, Terrell Hills, Live Oak, Universal City, Fair Oaks, and Windcrest (Figure 2). Current population estimates show the total number of people living within Bexar County to be approximately 1,539,630. According to re- cent projections from the Texas State Data Cen- ter, this number is expected to reach 1,702,693 by 2020.. In regards to ethnicity, Census 2000 data indicates that the primary ethnicity rep- resented in the county is non-white/Hispanic (approximately 54 percent). Of the remaining 46 percent, the highest estimated percentages are white (36 percent); African-American (7 percent); and Asian-American (2 percent). The median age of the county is estimated to be 32 years, with children (0-17 years) representing approximately 28 percent of the total popula- tion, and seniors (65 and above) accounting for U.S. Census Bureau, County and City Data Book: 2000, Table B-1. Bexar County Information Services. 2007. 1 2 3 Harnik, Peter. The Excellent City Park System. Trust for Public Land, 2003, p. 32. 1 2 3 5
  • 14. DRAFT INTRODUCTiON C h a p t e r 1 approximately 10 percent of the total popula- tion. The county has experienced significant growth in population in recent decades. This is in part due to its natural features and availability of de- velopable land; however, a considerable amount of growth can be attributed to the county’s eco- nomic success. Primary industries are national defense, financial services, and tourism. The county has also developed a major regional med- ical center with the establishment of the Uni- versity of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, the South Texas Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, and Santa Rosa Hospital- among others. Additionally, growth in tourism related to several area attractions, including Fi- esta Texas, Sea World of San Antonio, the River Walk, and the Alamo, as well as the success of the San Antonio Spurs professional basketball team, have all contributed to the economic suc- cess of the county. Figure 2 Bexar County Overview 6
  • 15. DRAFT INTRODUCTiON Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan 1. Plan Development Process This master plan for parks and open space was prepared by an independent consultant in co- operation with the Bexar County Parks Depart- ment. The approach follows guidelines identified in the TPWD Parks and Open Space Master Plan Guidelines, the National Recreation and Parks As- sociation (NRPA) standards for park acreage, and industry best practices. Major steps in the planning process included: 1. Preparation of an inventory of existing facilities; 2. Identification of county goals and objectives; 3. Establishment of park standards; 4. Community and stakeholder involvement; 5. Development of an overall needs assessment; and 6. Development of a prioritization and implementation strategy for identified needs. 2. Precinct Profiles Data from several sources was used to develop the planning profiles. Census 2000 data at the block group level was used for current popula- tion and demographic analysis. Data for the indi- vidual census tract block groups that comprised a single precinct were combined to develop totals for that area. For natural and cultural resources analysis, data was collected from the respective public resource agency, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS), TPWD, Texas State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Texas Historic Sites Atlas, the Bexar County Central Appraisal District, and the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Depart- ment. This information was incorporated into a geographic information system (GIS) and used to identify and analyze existing and potential park resources. The demographic analysis for Bexar County was separated by precinct. See Figure 3. 7
  • 16. DRAFT INTRODUCTiON C h a p t e r 1 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS), TPWD, Texas State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Texas Historic Sites Atlas, the Bexar County Central Appraisal District, and the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department. This information was incorporated into a geographic information system (GIS) and used to identify and analyze existing and potential park resources. The demographic analysis for Bexar County was separated by precinct. See Figure 2. Table 1. Demographic Summary of Population Square Miles Population Population per mi2 Under 18 Years 65 Years + Living in Poverty Bexar County 1,257 1,392,931 1,114 395,282 144,314 15% Precinct 1 440 332,062 755 103,455 30,388 22% 2 122 339,661 2,784 93,594 34,521 17% 3 356 369,249 1,037 89,935 32,161 7% 4 339 351,959 1,038 108,298 47,244 16% Source: Census 2000 PRECINCT 1 Precinct 1, which covers an area of approximately 440 square miles, is located in the southwest corner of the county. It is bound by Culebra Road on the north, IH 37 on the east and the Bexar/Atascosa county line on the south and west. Census 2000 data showed the total population in this area to be approximately 332,062. Children and seniors represent approximately 40 percent of the total population, (31 and 9 percent, respectively). Population estimates for the year 2020 suggest that approximately 402,410 people will live in this area. A review of area demographics shows that minorities, primarily non-white/Hispanic, comprise approximately 83 percent of the area. According to Census 2000 data, a substantial portion of the population (approximately 22 percent) had incomes below the poverty level. The percent of persons unemployed is approximately four percent. Precinct 1 is mostly undeveloped. Agricultural lands account for approximately 30 8
  • 17. DRAFT INTRODUCTiON Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan Figure 3 Parks Precincts PRECINCT 1 Precinct 1, which covers an area of approximately 440 square miles, is located in the southwest corner of the county. It is bound by Culebra Road on the north, IH 37 on the east and the Bexar/Atascosa county line on the south and west. Census 2000 data showed the total population in this area to be approximately 332,062. Children and seniors rep- resent approximately 40 percent of the total popu- lation, (31 and 9 percent, respectively). Population estimates for the year 2020 suggest that approxi- mately 402,410 people will live in this area. A review of area demographics shows that minori- ties, primarily non-white/Hispanic, comprise ap- proximately 83 percent of the area. According to Census 2000 data, a substantial portion of the pop- ulation (approximately 22 percent) had incomes below the poverty level. The percent of persons un- employed is approximately four percent. Precinct 1 is mostly undeveloped. Agricultural lands account for approximately 30 percent (82,119 acres) of total land area and developable open space in the area is approximately 33 percent (91,772 acres). . There are 54 parks (2,091 acres) located in Precinct 1, including seven county park facili- ties: Hidalgo, Mission, Padre, Hilltop Acres parks, Mission Reach, and the Harlandale and South San civic centers. One theme park, Sea World of San Open space refers to undeveloped land, natural areas, and preserves. 4 4 9
  • 18. DRAFT INTRODUCTiON C h a p t e r 1 Antonio, is located in the northwest corner of the precinct. Twenty-three historic landmarks are lo- cated in Precinct 1. Surface water features account for approximately 13 percent of total land area in Precinct 1 and include three lakes: Canvasback, Mitchell, and Blue Wing. PRECINCT 2 Precinct 2 is located in western Bexar County. It is bound by SH 16 on the north, US 281 on the east, Culebra Road on the south and the Bexar/Med- ina county line on the west. Precinct 2 covers the smallest geographical area of the four areas (122 mi2), but it has the greatest number of residents per square mile (2,784 persons). Census data revealed that approximately 339,661 persons lived in the area in 2000. Children and seniors represent ap- proximately 40 percent of the total population, (at 29 and 11 percent, respectively). Approximately 405,280 people are expected to live in Precinct 2 by the year 2020. Demographic data for Precinct 2 indicates that ap- proximately 69 percent of the total population of this area is non-white, Hispanic. Of the remaining 31 percent, the highest estimated percentages of ethnicities include white (25 percent) and African- American (4 percent). Poverty rates in this area are higher than those of Bexar County as a whole. Census data reveal that in 1999, approximately 56,000 persons (17 percent of the population) had incomes below the poverty level. The percent of per- sons unemployed is comparable to Bexar County, at approximately four percent. Agricultural lands account for approximately 16 per- cent (12,095 acres) of total land area. There are 66 parks (14,281 acres) located in Precinct 1, including one county park: Rodriguez Park; and Government Canyon (discussed in Chapter II). Twenty-five historic landmarks are located in Precinct 2. Surface water features account for approximately 8 percent of to- tal land area in Precinct 2 and include two lakes: Woodlawn and Elmendorf. PRECINCT 3 Precinct 3, located in northwest Bexar County, cov- ers approximately 356 square miles. The area is bounded by Cibolo Creek on the north and SH 16 on the west. Precinct 3, which currently has a pop- ulation of approximately 369,249 in 2000, is the fastest growing area in Bexar County. Recent popu- lation forecasts suggest that the area will grow to approximately 477,770 by 2020. Children and se- niors represent approximately 35 percent of the total population, (at 25 and nine percent, respectively). In terms of ethnicity, Census 2000 data reveals that approximately 60 percent of the area is white, non- Hispanic. Of the remaining 40 percent, the highest 10
  • 19. DRAFT INTRODUCTiON Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan estimated percentages of ethnicities include Hispan- ic (31 percent), African-American (4 percent), and Asian-American (2 percent). A review of household income data shows that Precinct 3 is the most afflu- ent area in Bexar County. Approximately 46 per- cent of the households have annual incomes greater than $50,000, approximately 18 percent have in- comes of $100,000 or greater. The percentage of the population with incomes below the poverty level is approximately seven percent. The percent of per- sons unemployed in Precinct 3 is approximately two percent. Agricultural lands account for approximately 32 per- cent (73,822 acres) of total land area. Camp Bullis, a United States Army camp, occupies 12,000 acres within this area, and accounts for a significant por- tion of the undeveloped land. There are 41 parks (5,903 acres) located in Precinct 3, including six county parks: Bullis, MacArthur, Orsinger, Walker Ranch, Raymond Russell, and the Raymond Russell Annex. One theme park, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, is located in the southwest corner of the Precinct. Seven historic landmarks are located in Precinct 3. Surface water features account for approximately 13 per- cent of total land area in Precinct 3 and include one lake: Lewis Creek. PRECINCT 4 Precinct 4 is located in the southeast quadrant of Bexar County, covering approximately 339 square miles. The area is generally bounded by the Bexar/ Guadalupe county line on the north, the Bexar/ Wilson county line on the east, the Bexar/Atascosa county line on the south, and IH 37 on the west. Cen- sus 2000 data showed the total population in this area to be 351,959. Children and seniors represent approximately 40 percent of the total population, (at 29 and 11 percent, respectively). The population is anticipated to increase to approximately 417,233 persons by 2020. In terms of ethnicity, Census 2000 data reveals that approximately 45 percent of the area is non-white/ Hispanic. Of the remaining 55 percent, the highest estimated percentages of ethnicities include white (37 percent) and African-American (14 percent). The percentage of the population with incomes be- low the poverty level is approximately 16 percent. The percent of persons unemployed in Precinct 4 is approximately two percent. Agricultural lands account for approximately 34 percent (74,657 acres) of total land area. There are 74 parks (2,794 acres) located in Precinct 4, includ- ing 10 county park facilities: Comanche, Covington, the future Lakewood Acres, Pletz, Museum Reach, the AT&T Center, Main Plaza, and the Navajo Civic Center. One theme park, Splashtown, is located in the northwest corner of the Precinct, near down- town San Antonio. Precinct 4 encompasses most of downtown San Antonio; consequently, 128 historic landmarks are located in this area. Surface water 11
  • 20. DRAFT INTRODUCTiON C h a p t e r 1 features account for approximately 14 percent of to- tal land area in Precinct 4, and include three lakes: Martinez, Braunig and Calaveras. Bexar County Parks and Open Space Infrastructure Services Department 2008-2020 Master Plan Antonio. Precinct 4 encompasses most of downtown San Antonio; consequently, 128 historic landmarks are located in this area. Surface water features account for approximately 14 percent of total land area in Precinct 4, and include three lakes: Martinez, Braunig and Calaveras. Table 2 summarizes available natural and cultural features by Precinct. Table 2. Summary of Bexar County Natural and Cultural Resources by Precinct Precinct 1 Precinct 2 Precinct 3 Precinct 4 County Parks 7 1 6 10 Total Parks 54 66 41 74 Landmarks/Historic Markers 23 25 7 128 Source: HNTB 2007 12
  • 21. DRAFT INVENTORY Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan 1. County-wide Parks and Recreational Facilities Currently, there are approximately 25,066 acres of parks and natural areas within Bexar County. This represents approximately 3 percent of all land within the county. Most of this land con- sists of parks owned and operated by other enti- ties, including the City of San Antonio, the San Antonio River Authority, the State of Texas, and the U.S. Government (Figure 4). Approximately 1,182 acres (4.7 percent) is owned by the Bexar County parks system. A total of 235 public parks are located in Bexar County. Most of these are neighborhood parks that are 10 acres or less in size and community parks between 10 and 25 acres in size. Table 3 below summarizes each park type and includes the number represented in each category and total acreage. Precinct 4 has the greatest number of individual parks, since 74 of the 235 county-wide parks are located in this area. However, most of the park acreage is located in Precinct 2. This is primar- ily due to the presence of Government Canyon, which is an approximately 8,622-acre state park that is dedicated to the recharge of the Edwards Aquifer. Like Government Canyon, much of the land in northwest Bexar County is not available for wide recreational use, but is currently iden- tified as natural areas or ranch use. 5 See Appendix E, National Recreation and Parks Associa- tion: Park Classifications and Standards for Park Acreage. 5 Figure 4 Bexar County Parks & Natural Areas 13
  • 22. DRAFT INVENTORY C h a p t e r 2 The scarcity of parks and natural areas within Bexar County is most notable in the unincorpo- rated areas between the San Antonio city limits and the Bexar County line- particularly in the southwest quadrant of the county. With the ex- ception of Bullis, Hilltop Acres, Lakewood Acres, Government Canyon and Calaveras Lake Park, there are no dedicated park and natural areas available within these areas. Additionally, most of the parks that are available to county resi- dents are owned and operated by the City of San Antonio. As a result, these primarily serve typi- cal neighborhood uses, such as family gatherings, team sports, and other special events. Table 4 summarizes parks and natural areas acreage for Bexar County and the four Precincts. County Parks and Open Space ructure Services Department 2008-2020 Master Plan Table 3. County-Wide Parks and Natural Areas: Bexar County Provider Number Acres Bexar County Community Parks 12 467 Open Space 3 59 Special Use Facility 2 175 Joint-Sponsorship Facility 4 478 Civic Center 3 2 Total 24 1,182 City of San Antonio Neighborhood Parks 66 486 Community Parks 58 1,249 Large Urban Parks 14 2,527 Sports Complex 7 94 Natural Areas 23 9,144 Greenways 9 593 Historic Resource 6 122 Special Use Facility 14 327 Urban Space 5 12 Undefined 2 52 Total 204 14,606 Other Park Providers SARA 2 448 State of Texas 1 8,622 US Government 4 208 Total 7 9,278 GRAND TOTAL 235 25,066 Source: City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department carcity of parks and natural areas within Bexar County is most notable in the orporated areas between the San Antonio city limits and the Bexar County line- ularly in the southwest quadrant of the county. With the exception of nment Canyon and Calaveras Lake Park, there are no dedicated park and natural available within these areas. Additionally, most of the parks that are available unty residents are owned and operated by the City of San Antonio. As a result, primarily serve typical neighborhood uses, such as family gatherings, team s, and other special events. Table 4 summarizes parks and natural areas acreage 14
  • 23. DRAFT INVENTORY Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan 2. County-Owned Parks and Recreational Facilities Currently, a total of 24 facilities (approximately 1,182 acres) comprise the Bexar County parks sys- tem (Table 5). Most of the facilities are located within the San Antonio city limits, with the excep- tion of Bullis, Hilltop Acres, and Lakewood Acres. Bexar County Parks and Open Space Infrastructure Services Department 2008-2020 Master Plan Table 4. Summary of Bexar County-Wide Parks and Natural Areas by Precinct 2006 Population Estimate Acres of Parks and Natural Areas Owned By Bexar County Owned By Others Total Acres of Parks and Natural Areas per 1,000 Residents Bexar County 1,539,630 25,066 1,182 23,884 16 Precinct 1 363,872 2,091 486 1,605 6 2 366,467 14,281 40 14,241 39 3 432,015 5,903 190 5,713 14 4 377,276 2,791 466 2,325 7 Source: HNTB 2007 2. County-Owned Parks and Recreational Facilities Currently, a total of 24 facilities (approximately 1,182 acres) comprise the Bexar County parks system (Table 5). Most of the facilities are located within the San Antonio city limits, with the exception of Bullis, Hilltop Acres, and Lakewood Acres. The majority of the parks are less than 50 acres in size and they are primarily characterized as community parks (Figure 3). A complete inventory of each park is included in Appendix A. The majority of the parks are less than 50 acres in size and they are primarily characterized as community parks (See Parks Inventory). 15
  • 24. DRAFT INVENTORY C h a p t e r 2 Bexar County Parks & Natural Areas Inventory County Owned Park Facilities 1. Bullis Park 2. Orsinger Park 3. MacArthur Park 4. Rodriguez Park 5. Mission Park 6. Pletz Park 7. Comanche Park 8. Raymond Russell Park 9. Padre Park 10. Harlandale Civic Center 11. Covington Park 12. South San Civic Center 13. Hilltop Acres Park 14. Lakewood Acres Park 15. Navajo Civic Center 16. Hidalgo Park 17. Walker Ranch 18. Main Plaza 16
  • 25. DRAFT INVENTORY Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan Bexar County Parks and Open Space Infrastructure Services Department 2008-2020 Master Plan 10 Table 5. Summary of Bexar County Parks Facility Inventory Community Parks Acres Precinct Bullis Park 51 3 Comanche 40 4 Covington Park 19.29 4 Hidalgo Park 2.29 1 Lakewood Acres* 175 4 MacArthur Park 13 3 Mission Park 39 1 Orsinger Park 13 3 Padre Park 32 1 Pletz Park 24 4 Raymond Russell Park 19.67 3 Rodriguez Park 39 2 Open Space Covington (annex) 5.5 4 Hilltop Acres* 50.26 1 Raymond Russell (annex) 3.33 3 Special Use Facilities AT&T Center 170 4 Freeman Coliseum 5 4 Civic Centers Harlandale Civic Center 1.1 1 Navajo Civic Center 0.3 4 South San Civic Center 1 1 Joint-Sponsorship Facilities Main Plaza 0.5 2 Mission Reach 360 1 Museum Reach 27.4 4 Walker Ranch 90 3 Total 1,181.64 *New or undeveloped park Source: City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department Annual park usage estimates were reviewed for the 13 existing parks and civic centers. These estimates show annual attendance in Fiscal Year (FY) 2005-2006 and FY 2006-2007 to be approximately 1,624,335 and 1,730,293, respectively. Visitation was approximately five percent higher in FY 2005-2006 than in FY 2006-2007 due to Annual park usage estimates were reviewed for the 13 existing parks and civic centers. These estimates show annual attendance in Fiscal Year (FY) 2005-2006 and FY 2006-2007 to be approxi- mately 1,624,335 and 1,730,293, respectively. Visitation was approximately five percent higher in FY 2005-2006 than in FY 2006-2007 due to con- struction activity which closed some park areas for brief periods during FY 2006-2007 (Figure 5). Park reservation data indicates that the parks are used year-round, with peak periods occurring in the summer months (April to September). Prima- ry uses for the facilities are birthday, graduation, and other family celebrations. Sporting events, including baseball and softball games, also ac- count for a significant number of park events. 17
  • 26. DRAFT INVENTORY C h a p t e r 2 In terms of number of attendees, Mission and Co- manche are the most used county-owned parks, representing 24.5 and 21.9 percent, respec- tively, of total park attendance in FY 2006-2007 (Figure 5). Table 6 summarizes parks usage by facility. The number of park attendees per acre is included for comparison. When compared to - 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 300,000 350,000 400,000 BullisPark Comanche Covington Harlandale Hidalgo MacArthur Mission County/Padre Navajo Orsinger Pletz RaymondRussell Rodriguez SouthSan NumberofAttendees FY2005-2006 FY2006-2007 the Bexar County parks system-wide average, the data suggests that Mission, Comanche, Ro- driguez, and Raymond Russell are over-burdened in terms of number of attendees per park acre. This has resulted in noticeable erosion of park resources within these facilities. Figure 5 Park Usage: Annual Attendance 18
  • 27. DRAFT INVENTORY Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan 11 owned parks, representing 24.5 and 21.9 percent, respectively, of total park attendance in FY 2006-2007 (Figure 4). Table 6 summarizes parks usage by facility. The number of park attendees per acre is included for comparison. When compared to the Bexar County parks system-wide average, the data suggests that Mission, Comanche, Rodriguez, and Raymond Russell are over-burdened in terms of number of attendees per park acre. This has resulted in noticeable erosion of park resources within these facilities. Table 6. Bexar County Parks: Usage Trends by Facility, 2005-2007 Number of Attendees Park/Facility FY 05-06 FY 06-07 Average Per Acre Usage (based on number of attendees) Number of Reservations (2006) Zip Code Most Served Bullis 35,872 34,886 694 517 78258 Comanche 395,602 378,923 9,682 2,037 78223 Covington1 72,259 69,866 3,684 NA NA Harlandale Civic Center 31,065 30,516 - 526 78221 Hidalgo2 10,643 10,136 4,537 NA NA MacArthur 273,456 257,751 20,431 2,172 78217 Mission 447,981 423,940 6,140 2,038 78223 Navajo Civic Center 39,737 31,935 - 457 78210 Orsinger 85,759 80,458 6,393 496 78249 Pletz 58,386 66,632 2,605 482 78219 Raymond Russell 57,427 236,709 6,394 1,132 78249 Rodriguez 91,175 85,721 2,268 827 78237 South San Civic Center 24,973 22,820 - 444 78211 Total 1,624,335 1,730,293 5,629 11,252 - 1. Reservation numbers for Covington is included in totals for Comanche. 2. Hidalgo Park opened in 2007; therefore reservation data is not available. Source: Bexar County Infrastructure Services 19
  • 29. DRAFT NEEDS ASSESSMENT Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan 1. Approach The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in its Park, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan Guidelines, effective January 27, 2005 sug- gests three methods for assessing needs for a lo- cally prepared master plan: (1) level of service (LOS)/standard-based, (2) demand-based, and (3) resource-based. A combination of these three methods was used to accurately assess park and open space needs for Bexar County. 2. Level of Service Analysis The LOS/standard-based approach is a macro- level analysis that uses established standards to determine facilities and park areas needed to meet the needs of a given population size. The standards may be based on demand studies, the professional judgment of park and recreatio plan- ners and designers, etc. A standard-based assess- ment typically uses a ratio of number of acres or facilities provided per 1,000 residents as a level of service (LOS) to be provided in a community. This follows the National Recreation and Park Associations Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenway Guidelines. In 2006 there were approximately 16 acres of parkland for every 1,000 residents available in Bexar County. Of this amount, Bexar County pro- vided less than one acre (0.8 acre) of parkland per 1,000 residents. Since there are currently no national standards or recommendations for the amount of parkland that counties should con- tribute, existing level of service data for several large Texas counties were compiled to provide benchmarks for the Bexar County system (Table 7). 2. Level of Service Analysis The LOS/standard-based approach is a macro-level analysis that uses established standards to determine facilities and park areas needed to meet the needs of a given population size. The standards may be based on demand studies, the professional judgment of park and recreation planners and designers, etc. A standard-based assessment typically uses a ratio of number of acres or facilities provided per 1,000 residents as a level of service (LOS) to be provided in a community. This follows the National Recreation and Park Associations Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenway Guidelines. In 2006 there were approximately 16 acres of parkland for every 1,000 residents available in Bexar County. Of this amount, Bexar County provided less than one acre (0.8 acre) of parkland per 1,000 residents. Since there are currently no national standards or recommendations for the amount of parkland that counties should contribute, existing level of service data for several large Texas counties were compiled to provide benchmarks for the Bexar County system (Table 7). Table 7. Level of Service: Comparison to Other Texas Counties County Population* County-Owned Acres Acres per 1,000 Bexar 1,539,630 1,182 0.8 Dallas 2,218,899 3,200 1.4 Harris 3,400,578 21,630 6.4 Travis 812,280 2,797 3.4 *Based on 2006 population data 21
  • 30. DRAFT NEEDS ASSESSMENT C h a p t e r 3 The amount of available park acres per 1,000 residents was projected for Bexar County using population estimates for 2010, 2015, and 2020 (Chart 1). The data suggests that the current park system will not keep up with future demand. Chart 1: County-Wide Park LOS by Provider, 2000 - 2020 - 2.00 4.00 6.00 8.00 10.00 12.00 2000 2006 2010 2015 2020 Year Acresper1,000Residents San Antonio State of Texas Bexar County SARA US Government Table 8 provides a summary of the number of park acres that Bexar County would need to acquire in order to achieve various LOS ratios. To maintain the current LOS of 0.8 acres per 1,000 residents, the county would need to add approximately 142 acres to its system by 2010 and continue expanding the system to add a total of 263 acres by the year 2020. Table 8. Additional Park Acres Needed to Achieve Specified LOS Ratio LOS Ratio 2006 2010 2015 2020 0.8 (Bexar) 0 142 206 263 1.4 (Dallas) 974 1,003 1,108 1,202 3.4 (Travis) 4,053 4,125 4,380 4,608 The amount of available park acres per 1,000 residents was projected for Bexar County using population estimates for 2010, 2015, and 2020 (Chart 1). The data suggests that the current park system will not keep up with future demand. Table 8 provides a summary of the number of park acres that Bexar County would need to ac- quire in order to achieve various LOS ratios. To maintain the current LOS of 0.8 acres per 1,000 residents, the county would need to add ap- proximately 142 acres to its system by 2010 and continue expanding the system to add a total of 263 acres by the year 2020. 22
  • 31. DRAFT NEEDS ASSESSMENT Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan 13 acres to its system by 2010 and continue expanding the system to add a total of 263 acres by the year 2020. Table 8. Additional Park Acres Needed to Achieve Specified LOS Ratio LOS Ratio 2006 2010 2015 2020 0.8 (Bexar) 0 142 206 263 1.4 (Dallas) 974 1,003 1,108 1,202 3.4 (Travis) 4,053 4,125 4,380 4,608 6.4 (Harris) 8,672 8,807 9,287 9,716 3. Demands Assessment The demand-based approach is a micro-level analysis that relies on information gathered from participation rates, surveys, and other information that indicates how 3. Demands Assessment The demand-based approach is a micro-level analysis that relies on information gathered from participation rates, surveys, and other informa- tion that indicates how much of the population wants certain types of facilities. “Demands” have been gathered from stakeholder questionnaires, comments made during public meetings, and us- er-intercept surveys. Stakeholder Involvement Stakeholder questionnaires were used to identi- fy park priorities of county-elected officials and staff, civic leaders, and community activists. The questionnaire consisted of 23 questions that al- lowed respondents to rate the adequacy of exist- ing facilities, provide feedback on their individual park experiences, and identify opportunities for future improvement. A complete list of questions is included in Appendix C. Local park experts and county staff were also asked to identify priorities for the parks system. The highest priorities listed were to: 1. Expand the existing park system; 2. Acquire additional natural areas; 3. Accommodate future population growth; 4. Provide park facilities to unincorporated areas of the county; 5. Complete construction of Lakewood Acres and Hilltop Acres; 6. Provide efficient maintenance; 7. Provide security in park facilities. 23
  • 32. DRAFT NEEDS ASSESSMENT C h a p t e r 3 Public Input Park User-Intercept Surveys In addition to stakeholder interviews, the public was engaged in the planning process by a field survey method called intercept surveying. Inter- cept surveying is a face-to-face, random survey method that was conducted at county park facili- ties as well as several commercial areas. A total of 1,014 surveys were conducted. Those surveyed were asked to provide basic demographic infor- mation, including age, household income, and ethnicity. Survey questions were also designed to obtain current user preferences and to identify individual park needs. A complete list of ques- tions and a summary of results is found in Ap- pendix D. Community Meetings A series of public meetings were held at key milestones in the planning process. The purpose of these meetings was to inform the community of the development of the Bexar County Parks & Open Space Master Plan. Participants were given an overview of the planning process and provid- ed an inventory of existing facilities. They were then asked to provide feedback regarding exist- ing park conditions and to identify opportunities for future improvements. Public Involvement Summary The highest priorities of the Bexar County parks system identified by existing and potential park users are to: 1. Provide better maintenance of existing parks; 2. Provide more park amenities and comfort items including restrooms, water fountains, shade areas, and trash receptacles; 3. Provide more recreational amenities, including basketball courts, swimming pools, tennis courts, and nature trails. 4. Significant Natural and Cultural Resources The resource-based approach examines the as- sets and resources of the area for open space, parks and recreation facilities, and defines how these resources can be utilized. For example, the availability of a lake or river within an area is a resource which can be utilized in developing a park system. Much of Bexar County is situated along the Bal- cones Escarpment, which is the exposed portion of the Balcones Fault that runs along Interstate Highway (IH) 35 through central Texas. The ge- ography north of the escarpment consists of 24
  • 33. DRAFT NEEDS ASSESSMENT Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan Figure 6 Significant Natural Resources rocky hills and canyons that make up the Texas hill country. Also located in this area is the Ed- wards Aquifer, which is the primary source of water for the greater San Antonio area (Figure 6). South of the escarpment are the low-lying Coastal Plains and Blackland Prairie. The San An- tonio River, the principal river in Bexar County, begins approximately four miles north of down- town San Antonio and flows southeast through the county. Other major streams in the county include the Medina River, Medio, Leon, Helotes, Olmos, Salado, Calaveras, and Cibolo creeks. Several large man-made lakes in the county in- clude Calaveras Lake, Braunig Lake, and Mitch- ell Lake. Bexar County is one of only eight counties in Texas with three of the eleven different natu- ral regions found within a single county. These include the Edwards Plateau, Blackland Prairie, and South Texas Brush Country. The most distin- guished of the three regions, the Edwards Pla- teau, is located in the northwest section of the Stone, Dan and Geary M. Schindel. The Application of GIS in Support of Land Acquisition for the Protection of Sensitive Groundwater Recharge Properties in the Ed- wards Aquifer of South-Central Texas. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies 64(1): 38-44. Handbook of Texas Online: http://www.tsha. utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/SS/rns6.html. Last accessed August 15, 2007. 6 7 6 7 25
  • 34. DRAFT NEEDS ASSESSMENT C h a p t e r 3 San Antonio River Authority. “River Improvements to Provide City with Limitless Benefits”. http://www.sara-tx.org/site/pub- lic_info/news_releases/project_benefits.html. Last accessed: 10/14/07. 8 8 county. This region contains soils that are usually shallow, underlain by limestone. Typical plant species may include ashe juniper, texas oak, and live oak in the southern and eastern can- yon-lands, and mesquite in the west. Wildlife typically distributed in the area includes various mammals, reptiles, birds, and amphibians. Addi- tionally, Bexar County contains habitat for nearly 30 federally listed threatened and endangered plant and animal species (Appendix B). There are 161 historic markers and 22 historic districts in Bexar County. These are primarily lo- cated in downtown San Antonio, and along the San Antonio River. A complete cultural resources inventory is found in Appendix B. In addition, the San Antonio River Authority is currently oversee- ing a ten-year project to develop the portion of the river that flows through central San Antonio. The improvements will occur along the four-mile Museum Reach, which is north of the downtown area, and the nine-mile Mission Reach, which is south of downtown. The goal of the project is to provide flood control while increasing recreation- al and economic development opportunities. The project also aims to extend the amenities of the River Walk into areas of Museum Reach that are currently inaccessible due to sheer banks, veg- etative growth, and the lack of pathways. Ad- ditionally, the project will restore native habitat and the natural meander of the river along Mis- 26
  • 35. DRAFT FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan 1. Goals and Objectives The Bexar County parks and open space system will consist of parks, natural areas, and linear greenways that foster community gatherings, provide opportunities for active and passive rec- reation for area residents, and preserve signifi- cant natural and cultural resources. Specific goals of the open space master plan were developed from feedback received during the community and stakeholder and involvement process are to:  Protect wildlife and endangered species habitat and restore damaged ecosystems;  Preserve significant natural and cultural re sources, including historic landscapes;  Ensure compatibility with the development of area hike and bike trails;  Develop a system of interconnected linear parks (greenways) that extend along area rivers and creeks;  Support local initiatives to improve open space development along the San Antonio river corridor, including the development of the Mission Reach and Museum Reach projects;  Provide a park system that is accessible for all Bexar County residents;  Preserve existing park investments;  Develop partnership opportunities for parks system. 2. Proposed Implementation Recommendations for improvements to the Bex- ar County parks system were developed based on the county’s goals and objectives, existing and forecasted park LOS, user and stakeholder needs and priorities, and the availability of significant natural and cultural features within the county. If implemented, these improvements would serve to maintain existing Bexar County investments, upgrade existing facilities to current standards, and accommodate future demand. The recom- mended improvements are summarized in the following sections. Parks System Operation and Maintenance Issues related to maintenance, security, and gen- eral cleanup of existing parks and facilities were identified through the user surveys and commu- nity meetings. Since general park maintenance is an ongoing expense for the county, it is benefi- cial to establish a standard of operation to which park maintenance providers can adhere to. 27
  • 36. DRAFT FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION C h a p t e r 4 The NRPA lists six maintenance modes for parks and open space in the 1986 report. The modes range from one to six, with one being the most intensive maintenance plan, and six being the least intensive. A definition for each mode is provided below.  Mode I: State of the art maintenance applied to a high quality diverse landscape. Usually associ- ated with high traffic urban areas such as public squares, malls, governmental grounds or visita- tion parks;  Mode II: High level maintenance; associated with will developed park areas with reasonably high visitation;  Mode III: Moderate level maintenance; associ- ated with locations with moderate to low levels of development, moderate to low levels of visita- tion, or agencies that due to budget constraints can not afford more intense maintenance;  Mode IV: Moderately low level; usually associ- ated with a low rate of development, low visita- tion, undeveloped areas, or remote parks;  Mode V: High visitation natural areas; usually associated with large urban or regional parks. Size and user frequency may dictate resident maintenance staff. Road, pathway or trail sys- tems relatively well developed. Other facilities at strategic locations such as entries, trail heads, building complexes and parking lots; and  Mode VI: Minimum maintenance level; low visi- tation natural areas or large urban parks that re- main undeveloped. Based on current park acreages and usage trends, Bexar County would benefit from a Mode III for the majority of the parks system. A Mode II main- tenance plan would be appropriate for higher use parks, including MacArthur, Mission, Comanche, and Raymond Russell. Existing Park Improvements A total of $5,925,000 was allocated in the 2003 Bond Proposition 3 to provide for the purchase, acquisition, construction, and equipping of parks and recreation improvements and venues in Bex- ar County. This included funding for cultural, ed- ucational, historical document preservation and museum facilities. Of the 14 projects identified, seven of the projects, totaling $4,575,000, were public partnerships designed to leverage addi- tional investments in park and cultural facilities. The remaining $1.35 million was allocated for specific improvements to the following existing county park facilities:  Lakewood Acres, $400,000  Bullis Park, $125,000  Comanche Park, $200,000  Orsinger Park, $125,000 28
  • 37. DRAFT FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan  Raymond Russell, $250,000  Rodriguez, $250,000 Total: $1,350,000 In addition to the six parks identified in the 2003 bond package, the county recently acquired Hill- top Acres through the Federal Emergency Man- agement Agency Flood Buyout program. Hilltop Acres is approximately 50 acres of land located in the far western section of the county (Pre- cinct 1). Recommendations are to develop the area into a regional park that will be opened to the public after 2008. Total estimated cost for the project is $332,750. New Park Acquisition Selections for new park locations considered sev- eral criteria, including; 1) the availability of de- velopable acres; 2) LOS based on existing park distribution and projected population estimates; 3) compatibility with area hike and bike trails; 4) compatibility with other open space projects; and 5) presence of significant natural and cul- tural features. Nine sites were identified as loca- tions for new park acquisition (Figure 7). Table 11 is an evaluation matrix that lists criteria used to identify proposed park sites. The park identi- fication number, number acres, and county pre- cinct are included for reference. Figure 7 Proposed Park Sites 29
  • 38. DRAFT FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION C h a p t e r 4 Summary of Recommended Improvements by Precinct Precinct 1  Acquire new park acreage at Site G to develop a community park that will provide additional facilities in the area currently served by Mission Park  Acquire new park acreage at Site I to develop a nature preserve/greenway for preservation of significant birding area  Acquire new park acreage at Site H to develop a nature preserve/greenway  Develop outdoor recreational facilities, including a greenway for Hilltop Acres Precinct 2  Acquire new park acreage at Site C to develop a community park that will meet existing and future population demand in the area  Acquire new park acreage at Site D to develop a community park that will meet existing and future population demand in the area  Rehabilitate outdoor park and recreational facilities at Rodriguez Park Bexar County Parks and Open Space Infrastructure Services Department 2008-2020 Master Plan Table 9. Park Acquisition Evaluation Matrix Park ID Acres Precinct Achieves Minimum LOS Ratio (0.8) Adjacency to 100-Year Floodplain Project Compatible with Other Open Space Projects Available Open Space Endangered Species Habitat Present Site A 135 3 Site B 30 3 Site C 30 2 Site D 30 2 Site E 30 4 Site F 30 4 Site G 30 1 Site H 180 1 Site I 200 1 Site J 130 4 Summary of Recommended Improvements by Precinct Precinct 1 Acquire new park acreage at Site G to develop a community park that will provide additional facilities in the area currently served by Mission Park Acquire new park acreage at Site I to develop a nature preserve/greenway for preservation of significant birding area Acquire new park acreage at Site H to develop a nature preserve/greenway Develop outdoor recreational facilities, including a greenway for Hilltop Acres Precinct 2 Acquire new park acreage at Site C to develop a community park that will meet existing and future population demand in the area Acquire new park acreage at Site D to develop a community park that will meet existing and future population demand in the area Rehabilitate outdoor park and recreational facilities at Rodriguez Park Precinct 3 Acquire new park acreage at Site B to develop a community park that will provide additional facilities in the area currently served by Raymond Russell Park 30
  • 39. DRAFT FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan Precinct 3  Acquire new park acreage at Site B to develop a community park that will provide additional facilities in the area currently served by Raymond Russell Park  Acquire new park acreage at Site A to develop a nature preserve/greenway for preservation of the Edwards Aquifer and critical animal species habitat  Develop outdoor recreational facilities, includ ing a linear park/greenway at Lakewood Acres  Develop outdoor recreational facilities for Bullis Park  Provide park-like improvements on approxi mately 3.5 acres of dedicated land adjacent to Raymond Russell Precinct 4  Acquire new park acreage at Site F to develop a community park that will provide additional facilities in the area currently served by Comanche Park  Acquire new park acreage at Site E to develop a community park that will provide additional facilities in the area currently served by MacArthur Park  Acquire new park acreage at Site J to develop a community park that will provide additional facilities in the area currently served by MacArthur Park  Rehabilitate outdoor park and recreational facilities at Comanche Park 31
  • 40. DRAFT FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION C h a p t e r 4 Bexar County Parks and Open Space Infrastructure Services Department 2008-2020 Master Plan Proposed Project List and Budgets Name Park Type** Acres Description 2007 Estimated Development Cost* Precinct Site A Nature Preserve/Greenway 135 New acquisition $0.95 Million 3 Site B Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 3 Site C Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 2 Site D Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 2 Site E Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 4 Site F Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 4 Site G Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 1 Site H Nature Preserve 180 New acquisition $1.26 Million 1 Site I Nature Preserve 200 New acquisition $1.40 Million 1 Site J Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 4 Total 725 $10.96 Million Name Park Type Acres Description Precinct Hilltop Acres Greenway 50 Develop outdoor recreation facilities $1.33 Million 1 Lakewood Acres Greenway 175 Complete construction $0.90 Million 3 Bullis Park Community Park 51 Develop outdoor recreation facilities $1.10 Million 3 Comanche Park Community Park 40 Rehabilitate outdoor park and recreational facilities $1.95 Million 4 Raymond Russell Neighborhood Park 23 Improve existing facility; acquire land and construct new facility $1.27 Million 3 Rodriguez Community Park 39 Rehabilitate outdoor park and recreational facilities $2.12 Million 2 Total 378 $8.67 Million TOTAL $19.63 Million *Note: Park development costs - $70,000 per acre Nature preserve- Developed at 10% of available acreage Community Park - Developed at 50% of available acreage Neighborhood Park - Developed at 100% of available acreage **See Appendix F for park classifications Existing Park Improvements Bexar County Parks and Open Space Master Plan, 2008-2018: Project List and Budgets Proposed Park Acquisitions 3. Funding Options The vision for the Bexar County parks system requires an overall funding strategy that incorporates finance options for each park, trail, open space parcel, or recreation facility that comprises the system. The complete park funding plan would involve a combination of revenue sources, cost avoidance strategies, and efficient management to achieve the county’s goals. Accordingly, several tools and funding sources that Name Park Type** Acres Description 2007 Estimated Development Cost* Precinct Site A Nature Preserve/Greenway 135 New acquisition $0.95 Million 3 Site B Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 3 Site C Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 2 Site D Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 2 Site E Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 4 Site F Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 4 Site G Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 1 Site H Nature Preserve 180 New acquisition $1.26 Million 1 Site I Nature Preserve 200 New acquisition $1.40 Million 1 Site J Community Park 30 New acquisition $1.05 Million 4 Total 725 $10.96 Million Name Park Type Acres Description Precinct Hilltop Acres Greenway 50 Develop outdoor recreation facilities $1.33 Million 1 Lakewood Acres Greenway 175 Complete construction $0.90 Million 3 Bullis Park Community Park 51 Develop outdoor recreation facilities $1.10 Million 3 Comanche Park Community Park 40 Rehabilitate outdoor park and recreational facilities $1.95 Million 4 Raymond Russell Neighborhood Park 23 Improve existing facility; acquire land and construct new facility $1.27 Million 3 Rodriguez Community Park 39 Rehabilitate outdoor park and recreational facilities $2.12 Million 2 Total 378 $8.67 Million TOTAL $19.63 Million *Note: Park development costs - $70,000 per acre (does not include land acquisition costs) Nature preserve- Developed at 10% of available acreage Community Park - Developed at 50% of available acreage Neighborhood Park - Developed at 100% of available acreage **See Appendix E for park classifications Existing Park Improvements Bexar County Parks and Open Space Master Plan, 2008-2018: Project List and Budgets Proposed Park Acquisitions 32
  • 41. DRAFT FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan 3. Funding Options The vision for the Bexar County parks system re- quires an overall funding strategy that incorpo- rates finance options for each park, trail, open space parcel, or recreation facility that compris- es the system. The complete park funding plan would involve a combination of revenue sources, cost avoidance strategies, and efficient manage- ment to achieve the county’s goals. Accordingly, several tools and funding sources that could be used to implement the proposed park improve- ments are identified below.  Ad Valorem Taxes: Ad valorem tax revenues (including sales and use, and property taxes) comprised over 60 percent of Bexar County’s an- nual general fund revenue in FY 2006-2007. Bexar County may choose to increase these taxes and earmark the additional funds to accomplish sev- eral of the proposed park improvements. While this would require voter approval, this finance method could generate substantial revenues for park improvements and help foster public sup- port for the parks and open space initiatives.  Bonds: A bond is a debt security issued by a state, municipality or county in order to finance capital improvements. In typical bond structures, investors loan money to an entity for a defined period of time and interest rate. In 2003, Bexar County approved a $99.2 million bond package to fund capital improvement projects in four major areas that included parks and recreation.  User Fees: These include direct fees (recre- ation fees, picnic pavilion fees, field rentals) that are charged for the provision of services or facility use. User fees are only collected from those who use a particular facility. User fees are successful in recouping some of the costs associ- ated with operations, facility maintenance, and capital replacement.  Grants o Texas Recreation & Parks Grant: TPWD through the Texas Recreation & Parks Account provides funding for recreational parks, trails and indoor recreational facilities. Up to a 50 percent match (or up to $500,000) can be obtained for new park and trail facilities. Submissions are usually ac- cepted in January and July of each year. o Recreational Trails Program Funds: The cur- rent federal transportation funding legislation, SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Ef- ficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users) authorizes and provides funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). These funds are made available to state governments to de- velop and maintain recreational trails and trail- related facilities for both motorized and non- motorized recreational trail uses. RTP funds are 33
  • 42. DRAFT FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION C h a p t e r 4 administered by TPWD and awarded annually on a competitive basis to local governments. o Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): These monies are made available to federal, state and local governments through the Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965. The LWCF allows entities to purchase land, water and wet- lands for the benefit of the public good. Funds are administered annually and may be made available for a 3-year period. Public-Private Partnerships: Partnering with private entities would allow the county to access funding sources outside traditional tax revenues. Private partnerships are most viable when they involve high profile projects that are of interest to corporate entities and when a public entity has a well-established partnership policy. See Section 4: Related Economic Development Initia- tives. Public-Public Partnerships: Partnering with other departments or agencies would allow the county to access tax revenues from multiple bud- get sources to raise dollars necessary for capital expenses that might otherwise not be available at the scale needed by either of the individual entities entering into the partnership. Bexar County, the City of San Antonio, and SARA (the San Antonio River Authority) have devel- oped a comprehensive 10 year capital improve- ment plan for flood control and drainage. This plan includes 26 new projects and covers five watersheds: Cibolo Creek, Leon Creek, Medina River, San Antonio River, and Salado Creek. This is in addition to the San Antonio River Improve- ments Project, which is a collaborative effort of the County, the City, SARA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and private enterprise. This project consists of the environmental restoration, ame- nity and flood control improvements to 13 miles of the San Antonio River north and south of down- town. The total cost of the plan is estimated to be $550 million, and would be financed over a 10 year pe- riod with proceeds from the Flood Control portion of the County’s ad valorem taxes. While these funds are not an additional revenue source for parks planning, the project offers opportunities for trail and open space development in parcels adjacent to area floodways. 4. Related Economic Development Initiatives Additional tools that are currently in use by the county which can be used to implement park im- provements include tax increment reinvestment zones (TIRZ) and public infrastructure districts (PID). 34
  • 43. DRAFT FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION Bexar County Infrastructure Services Department Parks and Open Space 2008-2020 Master Plan Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones Tax increment financing (TIF) is a tool that local governments can use to publicly finance needed structural improvements and enhance infrastruc- ture within a defined area. These improvements usually are undertaken to promote the viability of existing businesses and to attract new com- mercial enterprises to the area. Under a TIF, the property owner pays taxes on the full value of the property, and the taxing entities pay into the TIF fund the taxes attributed to the added value of the land due to the new development. TIFs may be initiated only by a city. If a property is located outside of the city limits (within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction or beyond), it is not eligible for tax increment financing unless annexed into the city. A TIRZ is an area in which tax increment financ- ing is being used to attract development or re- development. A TIRZ must meet set criteria for designation, including substandard or blighted conditions, open area due to obsolete platting or deterioration, or by petition of 50 percent of property owners in the district. Currently, there are 17 active and 11 pending TIRZs located with- in Bexar County. Public Improvement District A PID is a financing method for making public street, water or sewer improvements to a neigh- borhood.. Property owners who benefit from installation of the improvements pay for them through special assessments levied on their property. In addition to financing infrastructure improvements such as roadways, parking, and mass transit, PIDs can be used for the establish- ment or improvement of parks, recreation and cultural facilities. Currently, there are 3 active and 4 planned PIDs within the county Figure 8 shows the location of TIRZs and PIDs in Bexar County. Bexar County could achieve several of its parks and open space goals through the current TIRZ and PID programs. While the county has achieved some of these goals without these tools, it is recommended that existing TIRZ and PID policy be amended to include specific requirements for parks and open space. 11Texas Local Government Code. Chapter 372: Improvement Districts in Municipalities and Counties. 1110 The statutes governing tax increment financing are located in Chapter 311 of the Texas Tax Code. 10 35
  • 44. DRAFT FUNDING & IMPLEMENTATION C h a p t e r 4 Figure 8 TIRZ & PID in San Antonio 36
  • 45. DRAFT A p p e n d i c e s 37
  • 46. 38
  • 47. DRAFT A p p e n d i x A : B e x a r C o u n t y P a r k s I n v e n t o r y 39
  • 48. 40
  • 49. Bexar County Inventory: ALL PARKS Bexar County Parks and Open Space Master Plan 2008-2020 Playground BasketballPad Volleyball TennisCourt SoccerField Practice/ActiveRec FootballField LightedSoftball PracticeSoftball LightedBaseball PracticeBaseball CommunityCenter Restrooms Pavilion Fishing/BoatLaunch Picnic Path/Trail(miles) GolfCourse(#holes) CommunityGarden Parking Address Acreage TotalAcres(bycategory) TotalParks Community Parks Bullis Park 1 1 1 26 0.36 75 27583 Bullis Rd. 51.0 Comanche 4 7 2 5 4 133 254 2600 Rigsby 40.0 Covington Park 2600 Rigsby 19.3 Hidalgo Park 1 2 0.27 2.29 100 Hidalgo St. 2.3 Lakewood Acres* 1 1 2 1 Y 1 9 20 1.57 175 175.0 MacArthur Park 3 1 3 4 78 310 1611 NE Loop 410 13.0 Mission Park 2 6 4 1 4 1 3 5 4 237 1.3 504 6030 Padre Dr. 39.0 Orsinger Park 6 1 1 43 87 12230 Huebner Rd. 13.0 Padre Park 32 6030 Padre Dr. 32.0 Pletz Park 7 1 1 1 1 3 1 31 0.75 9 1400 Picardie 24.0 Raymond Russell Park 3 1 3 3 3 38 355 20644 IH 10 West 19.7 Rodriguez Park 2 2 4 2 2 4 6 3 93 1 335 2060 Rodriguez 39.0 467.3 Open Space Covington (annex) 2600 Rigsby 5.5 Hilltop Acres* 50.3 Raymond Russell (annex) 20644 IH 10 West 3.3 59.1 Special Use Facilities AT&T Center 3201 E Houston 170.0 Freeman Coliseum 3201 E Houston 5.0 175.0 Civic Centers Harlandale Civic Center 1 1 42 115 W. Southcross 1.1 Navajo Civic Center 1 1 66 2600 Rigsby 1.0 South San Civic Center 1 1 7 503 W. Lovett 0.3 2.4 Joint-Use Facilities Main Plaza 100 Dolorosa 0.5 Mission Reach 360.0 Museum Reach 27.4 Walker Ranch 12603 West Ave 90.0 477.9 Totals 28 18 6 10 6 4 3 0 11 0 0 3 31 29 0 701 5.25 0 0 1749 1181.6 *Note: Lakewood Acres and Hilltop Acres are currently under construction and closed to the public. 41
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  • 51. DRAFT A p p e n d i x B : C u l t u r a l R e s o u r c e s I n v e n t o r y 43
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  • 57. DRAFT A p p e n d i x C : S t a k e h o l d e r Q u e s t i o n n a i r e 49
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  • 65. DRAFT A p p e n d i x D : U s e r - I n t e r c e p t S u r v e y 57
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  • 83. DRAFT A p p e n d i x E : N R PA P a r k C l a s s i f i c a t i o n s a n d S t a n d a r d s f o r P a r k A c r e a g e 75
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  • 87. DRAFT A p p e n d i x F : N R PA P a r k M a i n t e n a n c e S t a n d a r d s ( e x c e r p t ) 79
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  • 89. MODE I State of the art maintenance applied to a high quality diverse landscape. Usually associated with high traffic urban areas such as public squares, malls, governmental grounds or high visitation parks. 1. Turf care - Grass height maintained according to species and variety of grass. Mowed at least once every five working days but may be as often as once every three working days. Aeration as required, not less than four times per year. Reseeding or sodding as needed. Weed control should be practiced so that no more than one percent of the surface has weeds present. 2. Fertilizer - Adequate fertilization applied to plant species according to their optimum requirements. Turf species should follow the chart on page 00 for recommended rates. Application rates and times should ensure an even supply of nutrients for the entire year. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium percentages should follow local recommendations from your County Extension Service. Trees, shrubs and flowers should be fertilized according to their individual requirements of nutrients for optimum growth. Unusually long or short growing seasons may modify the chart slightly. 3. Irrigation - Sprinkler irrigated. Electric automatic commonly used. Some manual systems could be considered adequate under plentiful rainfall circumstances and adequate staffing. Frequency of use follows rainfall, temperature, seasonal length and demands of plant material. 4. Litter control - Minimum of once per day, 7 days per week. Extremely high visitation may increase the frequency. Receptacles should be plentiful enough to hold all trash generated between servicing without normally overflowing. 5. Pruning - Frequency dictated primarily by species and variety of trees and shrubs. Length of growing season and design concept also a controlling factor as are clipped hedges versus natural style. Timing usually scheduled to coincide with low demand periods or to take advantage of special growing characteristics such as low demand periods or to take advantage of special growing characteristics such as pruning after flowering. 6. Disease and Insect Control - Control program may use any of three philosophies: 1.) Preventative; a scheduled chemical or cultural program designed to prevent significant damage. 2.) Corrective; application of chemical or mechanical controls designed to eliminate observed problems. 3.) Integrated pest management; withholding any controls until such time as pests demonstrate damage to plant materials or become a demonstrated irritant in the case of flies, mosquitoes, gnats, etc. At this maintenance level the controlling objective is to not have the public notice any problems. It is anticipated at Mode I that problems will either be prevented or observed at a very early stage and corrected immediately. 7. Snow removal - Snow removal starts the same day as accumulations of ½ inch are present. At no time will snow be permitted to cover transportation or parking surfaces longer than noon of the day after the snow stops. Applications of snow melting compound and/or gravel are appropriate to reduce the danger of injury due to falls. - continued on next page - 81
  • 90. MODE I Page 2 8. Lighting - Maintenance should preserve the original design. Damaged systems should be repaired as quickly as they are discovered. Bulb replacement should be done during the first working day after the outage is reported. 9. Surfaces - Sweeping, cleaning and washing of surfaces needs to be done so that at no time does an accumulation of sand, dirt and leaves distract from the looks or safety of the area. Repainting or restaining of structures should occur when weather or wear deteriorate the appearance of the covering. Wood surfaces requiring oiling should be done a minimum of four times per year. Stains to surfaces should be taken off within five working days. Graffiti should be washed off or painted over the next working day after application. 10. Repairs - Repairs to all elements of the design should be done immediately upon discovery provided replacement parts and technicians are available to accomplish the job. When disruption to the public might be major and the repair not critical, repairs may be postponed to a time period which is least disruptive. 11. Inspection - Inspections of this area should be done daily by a member of staff. 12. Floral plantings - Normally extensive or unusual floral plantings are part of the design. These may include ground level beds, planters or hanging baskets. Often multiple plantings are scheduled, usually at least two blooming cycles per year. Some designs may call for a more frequent rotation of bloom. Maximum care of watering, fertilizing, disease control, disbudding and weeding is necessary. Weeding flowers and shrubs is done a minimum of once per week. The desired standard is essentially weed free. 13. Rest rooms - Not always a part of the design but where required will normally receive no less than once per day servicing. Especially high traffic areas may require multiple servicing or a person assigned as attendant. 14. Special features - Features such as fountains, drinking fountains, sculpture, speaker systems, structural art, flag poles or parking and crowd control devices may be part of the integral design. Maintenance requirements can vary drastically but for this mode it should be of the highest possible order. 82
  • 91. MODE II High level maintenance – associated with well developed park areas with reasonably high visitation. 1. Turf care - Grass cut once every five working days. Aeration as required but not less than two times per year. Reseeding or sodding when bare spots are present. Weed control practiced when weeds present visible problem or when weeds represent 5 percent of the turf surface. Some pre- emergent products may be utilized at this level. 2. Fertilizer - Adequate fertilizer level to ensure that all plant materials are healthy and growing vigorously. Amounts depend on species, length of growing season, soils and rainfall. Rates should correspond to the lowest recommended rates shown on the chart on page 14. Distribution should ensure an even supply of nutrients for the entire year. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium percentage should follow local recommendations from the County Extension Service. Trees, shrubs and flowers should receive fertilizer levels to ensure optimum growth. 3. Irrigation - Some type of irrigation system available. Frequency of use follows rainfall, temperature, seasonal length, and demands of plant material. 4. Litter control - Minimum of once per day, five days a week. Off-site movement of trash dependent on size of containers and use by the public. High use may dictate once per day cleaning or more. Containers are serviced. 5. Pruning - Usually done at least once per season unless species planted dictate more frequent attention. Sculptured hedges or high growth species may dictate a more frequent requirement than most trees and shrubs in natural growth style plantings. 6. Disease and Insect Control - Usually done when disease or insects are inflicting noticeable damage, reducing vigor of plant materials or could be considered a bother to the public. Some preventative measures may be utilized such as systemic chemical treatments. Cultural prevention of disease problems can reduce time spent in this category. Some minor problems may be tolerated at this level. 7. Snow removal - Snow removed by noon the day following snowfall. Gravel or snow melt may be utilized to reduce ice accumulation. 8. Lighting - Replacement or repair of fixtures when observed or reported as not working. 9. Surfaces - Should be cleaned, repaired, repainted or replaced when appearance has noticeably deteriorated. 10. Repairs - Should be done whenever safety, function, or bad appearance is in question. 11. Inspection - Inspection by some staff member at least once a day when regular staff is scheduled. 12. Floral planting - Some sort of floral plantings present. Normally no more complex than two rotations of bloom per year. Care cycle usually at least once per week except watering may be more frequent. Health and vigor dictate cycle of fertilization and disease control. Beds essentially kept weed free. 13. Rest rooms - When present should be maintained at least once per day as long as they are open to public use. High use may dictate two servicings or more per day. Servicing period should ensure an adequate supply of paper and that rest rooms are reasonably clean and free from bad odors. 14. Special features - Should be maintained for safety, function and high quality appearance as per established design. 83
  • 92. MODE III Moderate level maintenance – associated with locations with moderate to low levels of development, moderate to low levels of visitation or with agencies that because of budget restrictions can't afford a higher intensity of maintenance. 1. Turf care - Cut once every 10 working days. Normally not aerated unless turf quality indicates a need or in anticipation of an application of fertilizer. Reseeding or resodding done only when major bare spots appear. Weed control measures normally used when 50 percent of small areas is weed infested or general turf quality low in 15 percent or more of the surface area. 2. Fertilizer - Applied only when turf vigor seems to be low. Low level application done on a once per year basis. Rate suggested is one-half the level recommended on page 14 for species and variety. 3. Irrigation - Dependent on climate. Rainfall locations above 25 inches a year usually rely on natural rainfall with the possible addition of portable irrigation during periods of drought. Dry climates below 25 inches normally have some form of supplemental irrigation. When irrigation is automatic a demand schedule is programmed. Where manual servicing is required two to three times per week operation would be the norm. 4. Litter control - Minimum service of two to three times per week. High use may dictate higher levels during warm season. 5. Pruning - When required for health or reasonable appearance. With most tree and shrub species this would not be more frequent than once every two or three years. 6. Disease and Insect Control - Done only on epidemic or serious complaint basis. Control measures may be put into effect when the health or survival of the plant material is threatened or where public's comfort is concerned. 7. Snow removal - Snow removal done based on local law requirements but generally accomplished by the day following snowfall. Some crosswalks or surfaces may not be cleared at all. 8. Lighting - Replacement or repair of fixtures when report filed or when noticed by employees. 9. Surfaces - Cleaned on complaint basis. Repaired or replaced as budget allows. 10. Repairs - Should be done whenever safety or function is in question. 11. Inspection - Once per week. 12. Floral planting - Only perennials or flowering trees or shrubs. 13. Rest rooms - When present, serviced a minimum of 5 times per week. Seldom more than once each day. 14. Special features - Minimum allowable maintenance for features present with function and safety in mind. 84
  • 93. MODE IV Moderately low level – usually associated with low level of development, low visitation, undeveloped areas or remote parks. 1. Turf care - Low frequency mowing schedule based on species. Low growing grasses may not be mowed. High grasses may receive periodic mowing to aid public use or reduce fire danger. Weed control limited to legal requirements of noxious weeds. 2. Fertilizer - Not fertilized. 3. Irrigation - No irrigation. 4. Litter control - Once per week or less. Complaint may increase level above one servicing. 5. Pruning - No regular trimming. Safety or damage from weather may dictate actual work schedule. 6. Disease and Insect Control - None except where epidemic and epidemic condition threatens resource or public. 7. Snow removal - None except where major access ways or active parking areas dictate the need for removal. 8. Lighting - Replacement on complaint or employee discovery. 9. Surfaces - Replaced or repaired when safety is a concern and when budget is available. 10. Repairs - Should be done when safety or function is in question. 11. Inspection - Once per month. 12. Floral plantings - None, may have wildflowers, perennials, flowering trees or shrubs in place. 13. Rest rooms - When present, five times per week. 14. Special features - Minimum maintenance to allow safe use. 85
  • 94. MODE V High visitation natural areas – usually associated with large urban or regional parks. Size and user frequency may dictate resident maintenance staff. Road, pathway or trail systems relatively well developed. Other facilities at strategic locations such as entries, trail heads, building complexes and parking lots. 1. Turf care - Normally not mowed but grassed parking lots, approaches to buildings or road shoulders, may be cut to reduce fire danger. Weed control on noxious weeds. 2. Fertilizer - None. 3. Irrigation - None. 4. Litter control - Based on visitation, may be more than once per day if crowds dictate that level. 5. Pruning - Only done for safety. 6. Disease and Insect Control - Done only to ensure safety or when problem seriously discourages public use. 7. Snow removal - One day service on roads and parking areas. 8. Lighting - Replaced on complaint or when noticed by employees. 9. Surfaces - Cleaned on complaint. Repaired or replaced when budget will permit. 10. Repairs - Done when safety or function impaired. Should have same year service on poor appearance. 11. Inspection - Once per day when staff is available. 12. Floral planting - None introduced except at special locations such as interpretive buildings, headquarters, etc. Once per week service on these designs. Flowering trees and shrubs, wildflowers, present but demand no regular maintenance. 13. Rest rooms - Frequency geared to visitor level. Once a day is the common routine but for some locations and reasons frequency may be more often. 14. Special features - Repaired whenever safety or function are a concern. Appearance corrected in the current budget year. 86
  • 95. MODE VI Minimum maintenance level – low visitation natural area or large urban parks that are undeveloped. 1. Turf areas - Not mowed. Weed control only if legal requirements demand it. 2. Fertilizer - Not fertilized. 3. Irrigation - No irrigation. 4. Litter control - On demand or complaint basis. 5. Pruning - No pruning unless safety is involved. 6. Disease and Insect Control - No control except in epidemic or safety situations. 7. Snow removal - Snow removal only on strategic roads and parking lots. Accomplished within two days after snow stops. 8. Lighting - Replacement on complaint basis. 9. Surfaces - Serviced when safety is consideration. 10. Repairs - Should be done when safety or function is in question. 11. Inspection - Once per month. 12. Floral plantings - None. 13. Rest rooms - Service based on need. 14. Special features - Service based on lowest acceptable frequency for feature. Safety and function interruption a concern when either seem significant. 87