Ord 2019-012/adopting the 2019 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan

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Importance of Parks and Recreation Planning The provision and use of well-maintained parks,trails, open spaces,and recreational areas can enhance the citizen's way of life,as well as positively impact the overall community image while contributing to an enhanced level of aesthetic appeal.San Marcos, located in West-Central Texas, lies within the Edwards Plateau ecoregion which contains many notable natural features such as San Marcos Springs and the Blanco River, all of which are located in the Texas Hill Country.Additionally,the eastern half of the City is located within the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. By maximizing the potential of these amenities,San Marcos could enhance the quality of life of its residents through the expansion of outdoor recreational opportunities. In 2010,the City of San Marcos put forth a parks, recreation,and open space master plan which was intended to direct municipal decisions and actions from 2010 to 2020,with an update to occur approximately five years from its adoption. In order to remain competitive for Texas Parks and — Wildlife Department(TPWD)grant funding,and to evaluate the current and future needs of the growing community, it is important to undertake a planning endeavor which looks at the next 10 years of parks and recreational opportunities in San Marcos. Located along the 1-35 corridor connecting Austin to San Antonio,the City of San Marcos has undergone significant increases in both population and area in recent years.As the region grows,so does the need for additional parks and recreational open spaces. Currently,all of the City's regional parks are located in the Downtown area.The rest of the City has large greenspaces with trails,as well as many neighborhood parks. The goal of this planning effort is to design a community vision,as well as recognize goals and strategies that actively maintain high standards for parks, recreation,and open space areas in San Marcos. Information obtained during this process will help to identify potential land for acquisition, and also set forth a projected time frame for critical City decisions. Based on community input and the recommendations of this Plan,the City will be better informed when establishing priorities and making budgetary decisions for the projects identified within. 6 City of San Marcos, Texas I San Marcos Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan