Chatham County Public Findings Presentation May 7, 2018
Master Planning Process
Demographic Snapshot 2017 Population 292,686 Median Age 35.5 Households 112,699 Median Household $48,699 Income Source: Esri Business Analyst Page 7
Population Growth Trend Projected 10 Year Increase 38,484 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, and Esri Business Analyst Page 7
Population Growth Trend by Age Group Source: Esri Business Analyst Page 7
Generational Participation Source: Physical Activity Council 2017 Participation Report Page 7
Information Gathering Summary Public Engagement • Focus Groups – 6 (56) • Stakeholder Meetings 10 • Leadership Summit • Leadership Interviews Random Mailed Survey • 380 responses Open Link Survey • 1019 responses • 6,000 reached by Facebook Municipal Association Presentation
Priorities in the Next 5 Years • Maintain, improve and repair existing facilities • Indoor space for athletics • Equitable distribution of facilities, programs and equipment • Improve marketing and communications • Address the plans that already exist - Thomas Avenue Plan • Phase out old equipment • Consistency of maintenance standards/practices for all facilities • Account for population growth and changes in density
Priorities in the Next 5 Years • Continue to develop partnerships and engage: cities, schools, youth organizations • Address connectivity / expand bike trails and walking paths • Continue to address safety and security • Programs for outreach to youth and children • Make Chatham County a destination for sports/recreation – sport tourism • Better communication with County staff • ADA accessibility
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Importance of Existing Facilities Page 7
Level of Needs Met By Existing Facilities Page 7
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Inventory of Facilities Level of Service (LOS) Analysis • A detailed assessment of the existing Chatham County parks and recreation facilities available and comparison to the needs of the residents. • Visited and assessed the 44 County facilities identified on the Chatham County Park Services website. • Facilities were scored on a scale of 1-3 • 1 = Poor / Below Expectations • 2 = Average / Meets Expectations • 3 = Excellent / Exceeds Expectations • During site visits, parks and recreation facilities were photographed and notes were taken to verify the quantity and condition of the existing amenities. • The LOS analysis is used as a guide to identify areas of opportunity for improvement within Chatham County’s parks and recreation program.
Inventory of Facilities Chatham County, Georgia • +/-440 square miles • Approx. 293,000 residents • 8 Municipalities • Bloomingdale • Garden City • Pooler • Port Wentworth • City of Savannah • Thunderbolt • Tybee Island • Vernonburg
Inventory of Facilities Types of Facilities: • Community Centers – 1 • Community Parks – 6 • Golf Courses – 1 • Multipurpose Trails – 2 • Nature Preserves – 4 • Neighborhood Parks – 10 • Sports Facilities – 7 • Swimming Pools - 1 • Weight Lifting Centers – 1 • Boat Ramps and/or Fishing Piers - 10
Inventory of Facilities Examples of Park Inventory: • Park Location & Description • Park Acreage Outdoor f acilities • • Playgrounds • Multiuse Fields • Baseball fields • Basketball courts • Drinking fountains • Picnic tables • Shade • Boating/fishing access Dog park/facilities • • Indoor Facilities • Community Centers • Swimming Pools • Weightlifting Facilities
Inventory of Facilities – Community Parks Community Parks • 6 facilities spread throughout County • Average Rating = 1.8 • Lowest Rating = 1.2 Highest Rating = 2.5 • • Active and passive activities • Unique features – garden plots, archery range, historic significance, skatepark, RC park, disc golf, mountain bike trails • Common Themes to be Improved upon: General maintenance & upkeep of grounds (grass, plantings, etc.) ADA Accessibility Update playground equipment, pavilions, restrooms, etc. • Improvements to one park currently under construction, improvements to another are currently in design
Inventory of Facilities – Neighborhood Parks Neighborhood Parks • 10 facilities spread throughout County • Average Rating = 1.2 • Lowest Rating = 1.0 • Highest Rating = 1.6 • Common Themes to be Improved upon: General maintenance & upkeep of grounds (grass, plantings, etc.) ADA Accessibility Vehicular and/or pedestrian accessibility No restrooms available Update playground equipment, pavilions, etc. No facilities for dogs • During site visits a resident informed Consultant of suspected drug activities • Appears from tax records that some of the parcels are not owned by Chatham County
Inventory of Facilities – Sports Facilities Sports Facilities • 7 facilities – predominately located on south side of Savannah and Islands community. Only one facility located on west side. Average Rating = 1.6 • • Lowest Rating = 1.1 Highest Rating = 2.2 • • Common Themes to be Improved upon: General maintenance & upkeep of grounds (grass, plantings, etc.) and fields – many fields appear worn down from constant play ADA Accessibility Improvements to restrooms, concessions, water fountains, lighting Update playground equipment, pavilions, etc. No facilities for dogs • Hodge Turner Ballfield was noted as being unplayable • At the time of the assessments Memorial Stadium was under construction and therefore not evaluated.
Inventory of Facilities – Nature Preserves & Multipurpose Trails Nature Preserves • 4 sites • Average Rating = 1.7 • Lowest Rating = 1.1 • Highest Rating = 2. 1 • Items to consider for improvement: Dog stations Security lighting in parking areas Improvements to vehicular access, parking, ADA improvements • Frank O Williamson Lake was noted during the site visit as being closed – potential future opportunity Multipurpose Trails • 2 sites • Average Rating = 1.4 • Lowest Rating = 1.1 • Highest Rating = 1.6 • Items to consider for improvement: Dog stations Security lighting in parking areas Improvements to vehicular access, parking, ADA improvements • McQueen Trail was noted as being damaged during the recent hurricanes.
Inventory of Facilities – Boat Ramps/Fishing Piers Boat Ramps / Fishing Piers • 10 facilities • Average Rating = 1.4 • Lowest Rating = 1.0 Highest Rating = 2.1 • • Three sites located on/adjacent to Intracoastal Waterway • Two ramps appear to hav e been constructed/improved within the last 5-6 years. • Common Themes to be Improved upon: General maintenance & upkeep of grounds (grass, plantings, etc.) Installation/upgrade of restrooms Update pavilions, grills, etc. Improve parking and access Dog facilities
Inventory of Facilities – Indoor Facilities Frank G Murray Community Center Rating = 2.3 • • Facility serves its purpose well and is well maintained Chatham County Aquatic Center • Rating = 3.0 • Facility exceeded all expectations. Very well maintained. Anderson-Cohen Weightlifting Center • Rating = 2.7 • Facility exceeded all expectations. Very well maintained. Al Henderson Golf Club • Rating = 2.3 • Very nice public facility, well maintained grounds
Inventory/LOS Summary & Findings • County has 6 community parks distributed throughout the MSA. Of those, 2 are rated at or above average and 2 are currently being improved (1 under construction & 1 under design). • The neighborhood parks are in need of the most improvement to make them “usable” to the community. Recommend review neighborhood parks for viability within the vision of the County’s Parks and Recreation Department moving forward. • The sports facilities are older facilities and show their age. Based on observed conditions, the fields are reconfigured based on the particular sports being played and the fields are not allowed to recover. • The County has 10 facilities offering its residents access to the coastal waters for boating and/or fishing. The quality of these facilities ranges from below average to at or above average.
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