- May 5, 2024
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The update to Ormond Beach's parks and recreation master plan is well underway, and with data showing what residents want, the city is beginning to discuss what the future of Leisure Services will entail, and how to fund it.
The master plan update process, which is being conducted by Barth Associates, is currently in the third phase of visioning. Over 1,100 residents participated in the second phase consisting of both a statistically-valid survey as well as an online survey open to all. The consultant gathered 402 responses for its statistically-valid survey, and 646 people filled out the online one.
On Tuesday, Aug. 17, Barth Associates conducted two workshops to present findings:A joint meeting with the city's Leisure Services Advisory Board and the Quality of Life Board, and one with the City Commission.
“We think we have pretty good robust findings," Barth Associates President David Barth said.
The three highest-rated actions wanted by citizens, according to Barth Associates, were: 1) providing safe bicycle and pedestrian facilities; 2) upgrading existing parks including athletic fields; and 3) acquiring land for preservation of greenspace, parks and natural areas.
In addition, according to Barth Associates' statistically-valid survey, 69.5% of respondents said they would be willing to pay $12-$60 more dollars annually to fund the types of parks, recreation facilities and programs that were most important to them. In the online survey, 85% of respondents said they would be willing as well. In comparison, 21.4% of people said they would not be willing to pay any additional dollars; 15% of online survey respondents also stated they were not willing.
If the city were to explore this option as a source of funding for parks and recreation projects and programs, it would need to be approved by voters in the form of a referendum.
City Commissioner Susan Persis said that, with interest rates being so low, now could be an opportune time to look at exploring that option.
“There’s a myriad of things our citizens need and this to me speaks that people want it," Persis said.
She also spoke about the consultant's finding, based on stakeholder input, that providing recreational facilities in the west side of the city, such as a community center and athletic fields, were identified as needs.
The west side of town — generally considered the area west of I-95 — is developing quickly and many young families are moving into those neighborhoods, said Persis. Adding a sports complex is something she identified as being "near and dear to her heart." The city also owns property in that area near Pathways Elementary, and Persis said the opportunities that could present are exciting.
“I think the sky’s the limit," Persis said. "I think we can make something really fabulous and make our city even better.”
The fact bicycle and walking trails were ranked as high priority needs by survey respondents stood out to Commissioner Dwight Selby. He said when he thought of leisure services, the first thing that came to his mind were traditional sports facilities and parks. He mentioned further examining the city's many "pocket" parks, some of which many not have a bench or other facilities, and finding ways to include some improvements to those parks as part of the update.
Mayor Bill Partington said he is pleased with how the master plan process is going. He would like to see more "multi-generational" projects, like the Ormond Beach Sports Complex. Seeing the different generations of families spending time out there during games and other sport events are the kind of activities that the mayor said makes Ormond Beach great.
“To me, a lot of the magic in leisure services happens with activities where you draw in all of the generations," he said.
The next public meeting for the master plan update is scheduled to take place next month at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 6, at the South Ormond Neighborhood Center, located at 176 Division Ave.
