TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Adoption of the North Port, Florida, Parks & Recreation Master Plan Final Report.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Adopt the North Port, Florida, Parks & Recreation Master Plan Final Report.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Adopt the North Port, Florida, Parks & Recreation Master Plan Final Report.
* Pros:
o Meets the requirements of the Commission for the Accreditation of Parks & Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) standard 3.3 Park and Recreation System Master Plan.
o Provides a long-term, data driven roadmap for park development.
o Emphasizes environmentally responsible planning focused on sustainability, accessibility, community cohesion, and placemaking.
o Features key components such as the site plan for the new Italy Avenue Park, eco-tourism strategies, and youth sports demand analysis.
o Timely adoption allows the City to utilize $62,500 from Wellen Park, Park Impact Fees to offset project expenses, maximizing the return on investment.
o Strengthens the City's position when applying for grants and other external funding sources for Parks and Recreation related requests.
o Drives future investments to match community needs and demographic trends.
o Meets the recommendation for approval by the City of North Port Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.
* Cons:
o Potential for perception that a formal plan limits flexibility to address emergent recreational needs.
o Implementation of any part of the plan is not guaranteed.
Option 2: Do not Adopt the North Port, Florida, Parks & Recreation Master Plan Final Report.
* Pros:
o City retains the ability to respond to short term needs outside the confines of a structured framework.
* Cons:
o The Parks & Recreation Department would not meet CAPRA standard 3.3, which is a required fundamental standard for accreditation.
o Reduces financial efficiency by f...
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