Parks and recreation group endorses buying more land
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

In addition to developing new parks, plans are underway to improve several existing parks. The board of supervisors recently approved $211,917 to construct a new road, bridge, fishing pier and paved walking trail in Lake Chesdin Park.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) has unanimously endorsed an updated Parks and Recreation Master Plan that calls for 1,563 acres of new parkland by 2020. Based on the latest population estimates, this draft plan sets higher standards for the period of 2012-2020 when it recommends nine acres of parkland for every 1,000 residents instead of the current eight acres.

Parks and recreation leaders propose buying parkland eight years ahead in order to make it useable when needed. Much of the parkland is expected to come from Magnolia Green and other residential developments, and most of the new land is west and south of Route 288 where land is more available and most of the residential growth is anticipated. Lynn Crump, the school board's representative on the committee, said the county is not getting enough land proffered for parks during the rezoning process.

Lake Chesdin Park provides water access for canoeing, kayaking and fishing.

The plan calls for: three regional parks of at least 125 acres each in addition to the existing five to serve a radius of 3-5 miles; 11 more community parks of at least 40 acres each for residents within 2-4 miles; and 10 more neighborhood parks of more than 10 acres each in addition to the current 14 parks that are used by residents within one and one-half miles.

With review by the county administration and a PRAC endorsement behind it, the plan heads to the planning commission before final adoption by the county board. The draft public facilities plan does not include a price tag yet, but one will have to be attached before going to voters as a bond issue in 2012.

Parks, libraries, police and fire departments have been taking a backseat to roads and schools when it comes to funding. More than $1 billion is needed to upgrade county roads, and more schools are needed to relieve crowded classrooms. Additionally, the county budget has been only allocating about 8.5 percent of its spending to pay down debt for new capital improvements in order to maintain its AAA bond rating.

Participation in team sports has been leveling off in recent years while demand for facilities for individual activities like walking has been growing. Senior citizens have been organizing and asking that their needs for the future be addressed. Part of the plan includes an 11,000-square-foot senior center somewhere in the county for activities and indoor fitness.

Due to an ever-stretching budget, the parks and recreation department has been unable to maintain its existing parks. Discussion among committee members indicated that only $1 million is budgeted annually for maintenance when there is a $2 million need.

"How can Chesterfield County purchase land for parks when it can't budget enough money to pave existing parking lots?" asked Dennis Harding, a Dale representative on the committee.

The struggle over bond revenue is several years away, and PRAC has crossed its collective fingers that the new county board will set funding priorities high enough to achieve the goals in the draft plan.