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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVI-7 - Recreation & Open Space ElementC, J Agenda Item No. 7 COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT DATE: August 25,1997 TO: Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission FROM: LaDonna Kienitz, Community Services Director /City Librarian SUBJECT: Recreation and Open Space Element Attached are the Table of Contents and the most current of Chapters 1 and 2 of the Recreation and Open Space Element. Consultant Larry Lawrence will attend the Commission meeting to review the materials with the Commission. The next meeting of the Park and Open Space Committee is scheduled Wednesday, September 17, at 4:00 p.m., to continue work on refining the draft Iast chapters of the document and reviewing the maps. 9/y • RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT CONTENTS CHAPTERISECTION PAGE 1. INTRODUCTION 1 -1 • Goal 1 -1 • State Law 1 -1 • Related Plans and Programs 1 -3 • Parkland Dedication Standards 1 -4 • Funding Sources Seiv ce Areas 1 -5 • Issues 1 -7 • Types of Parks 1 -10 2. NEEDS 2 -1 • Parkland Summary 2 -1 • Community Surveys 2 -2 • Parkland Acreage Needs 2 -3 • Citywide Needs 2 -4 • Service Area Needs 2 -6 • • Regional Needs 2 -8 3. OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES_ 3 -1 • Goal 3 -1 • Objectives 3 -1 • Policies 3 -1 • Implementation 3 -1 • Funding Sources 3 -20 4. RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE PLAN 4 -1 • Descriptions of Facilities and Open Space • Plan Maps for each Service Area A. TECHNICAL APPENDIX: A -1 • Demographics and School Enrollment A -1 • CIOSA Agreement A -3 • Existing Beach and Harbor Facilities A -3 • Inventory of Facilities A -4 • Surveys of Recreation Needs A -11 • .f.n DRAFT -- FOR COMMENT • 1. INTRODUCTION ♦ GOAL ♦ STATE LAW ♦ RELATED PLANSAND PROGRAMS ♦ PARKLAND DEDICATION STANDARDS ., ♦ SERYIbEAREAS ♦ ISSUES ♦ TYPES OF PARKS GOAL 9/Z The Newport Beach Recreation and Open Space Element is an expression of the City's objectives for high quality open space and recreation facilities. The Goal of the Element is to: Maintain a recreation and open space system which meets the recreational needs of the citizens of Newport Beach and which enhances the unique recreational and environmental resources of the City. • This Element is designed to achieve this goal and to satisfy the requirements of state law. • 4 l STATE LAW The California Government Code requires preparation of a general plan, which "...shall consist of a statement of development policies and shall include a diagram or diagrams and text setting forth objectives, principles, standards, and plan proposals." (Sec. 65302) Government Code Section 65302(e) further requires that an open space element be prepared and carried out (as one of the seven mandated elements of the general plan). Open space elements are required so as to ensure that every city and county will implement open -space plans which, along with related state and regional plans, will create a comprehensive permanent network of open space. Section 65560 states that, "`Open Space Land' is any parcel or area of land or water which is essentially unimproved and devoted to an open -space use... ", and which is designated on the open -space plan as any of the following: • Open space for the preservation of natural resources. • Open space for the managed production of resources. • Open space for outdoor recreation. • Open space for public health and safety. RECREATIONAND OPENSPACE ELEMENT 1. INTRODUCTION • The law also requires that "... every local open -space plan shall contain an action program consisting of specific programs which the legislative body intends to pursue in implementing its open -space plan." (Sec. 65564). • C� J State law does not mandate the preparation of a general plan recreation element. However, recreation issues are logically related to those addressed in the open space element. Therefore, parks and recreation facilities and programs are closely linked to the preservation and enhancement of open space in this element. �� 1 -2 RECREATIONAND OPENSPACE ELEMENT L INTRODUCTION .• RELATED PLANS AND PROGRAMS There are a number of plans and programs created through state, county and local action which are related to Newport Beach's open space system. These plans and programs, administered by a variety of agencies and districts, form the regional open space system for this part of Orange County. Where appropriate, relevant goals and policies from these plans and programs have been adapted to and incorporated into the Element to ensure the continued conservation of local and regional open space resources. Other General Plan Elements Three Elements of the City's General Plan augment the Recreation and Open Space Element in providing policy for open space and natural resource management. They include the Land Use Element, which specifies the arrangement, location and extent of various land uses throughout the City including appropriate open space designations; the Circulation Element, which includes the Master Plan of Bikeways (designating routes for on- and off -road bike trails); and the Conservation Element, which provides policies for the conservation, development and use of specified natural resources. Local Coastal Program • The 1976 California Coastal Act was enacted to protect the natural and scenic qualities of the California coast and to promote public access. The Coastal Act requires that each jurisdiction with land in the coastal zone prepare a local coastal program. The local coastal program is required to provide a series of policies and standards that conserve and enhance the coastal resources within a community. The heart of the City of Newport Beach's Local Coastal Program is the Land Use Plan, which contains a number of policies relating to such resources as environmentally sensitive areas, coastal open space and recreation resources, and coastal view preservation. These resources are closely related to recreation and open space considerations. Therefore, appropriate policies from the LUP are reiterated or referenced in this Element. • County of Orange General Plan Recreation Element: The• County of Orange General Plan Recreation Element contains policies which relate to the acquisition, development, operation, maintenance and financing of County recreation facilities. These include regional recreation facilities, local parks and riding and hiking and equestrian trails. Resources Element: The County's Resources Element includes an -inventory of the county-wide resources such as agricultural, mineral, and wildlife resources, energy, water, air, open space, and cultural- historic resources. r ) l 1 -3 RECREATIONAND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT 1. INTRODUCTION • PARKLAND DEDICATION STANDARDS Onimby Act The state Government Code provides for the dedication of parkland, or the payment of fees in lieu of land, by developers as a requirement for residential development. The applicable section, known as the Quimby Act, states that "... the dedication of land, or the payment of fees, or both, shall not exceed the proportionate amount necessary to provide three acres of park area per 1,000 persons residing within a subdivision subject to this section, unless the amount of existing neighborhood and community park area, as calculated pursuant to this subdivision, exceeds that limit, in which case the legislative body may adopt the calculated amount as a higher standard not to exceed five acres per 1,000..." (Gov. Code Sec. 66477(b)). City Park Dedication Ordinance A city's parkland dedication requirements are central to the implementation of any recreation and open space element. The Newport Beach park dedication ordinance states that new residential development shall be responsible for the: "... dedication of land, or payment of fees, or both, shall not exceed a proportionate amount necessary to provide three acres of park per one thousand persons residing within a subdivision ... unless the amount of existing neighborhood and community park area ... exceeds three acres per one thousand persons ..." (Municipal Code • Section 19.50.030). In the latter case the ordinance states that up to five acres per one thousand persons may be required. • At the time of the above Quimby Act amendment limiting park dedication ratios, the City showed that the amount of existing park area was actually over five acres per thousand persons. Therefore, the City's park dedication requirement was set at five acres per thousand persons. The park dedication ordinance allows for either dedication of land designated for park use or for the payment of in -lieu fees or a combination of the two. In -lieu fees are placed in a fund earmarked for the provision or rehabilitation of park and recreation facilities "...reasonably related to serving the subdivision ... ". This has been defined in the City's Park Fee Policy (Appendix ...) as facilities which are located within the same Service Area as the subdivision responsible for the fee (see Service Area map, Fig....), or for the development of 'facilities determined to be citywide resources per the Park Fee Policy. These citywide resources include all community parks and view parks. The park dedication ordinance also provides for credit to be given, at the discretion of the City Council, for the provision of private recreation facilities within a new residential development or for the provision of park and recreation improvements to land dedicated for a public park. If allowed, the private facilities or public improvements are credited against the dedication of land and/or the payment of in -lieu fees. 1 -4 RECREATIONAND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT • 9E,"R ft-t-P A) Ci as beeft ilvi' into administer parkland .dedication • ,on ffie area 1. INTRODUCTION ita,' Ana I- Heights L _@'� #, or-ateia-'6 Lp_ Tu id6 QiLda Isle; Harbor Harbor and Promontory Poiet%Baysid S'eruice Area z2aitSfu—ff7 The ' S�ervfWlkr6dR7!k C y n&Ic-o-u'rt.I-Eelg C ervic Krei jT, RZ-vT.-[-,c , ,Centex, Nik �ewp 6rt,--Ku-�jL gw� 99 j Ne MrtDqres, and adjjc nt aqL Canieo Shores, adcf--f&Gj-fie&7c7e Harbor view�,Spyglass,,and�Harbor Ridge. 1-5 RECREATIONAND OPENSPACE ELEMENT 1. INTRODUCTION • ISSUES There are a number of special issues which affect the City's ability to provide recreation facilities and open space for its existing and future residents. These are identified in this Chapter and addressed in greater detail later in the Element. New DevelopmentAnd Population Increases Although the City of Newport Beach appears largely built out, there are a number of vacant parcels. The General Plan Land Use Element projects additional population increases, through ill development and annexations, from approximately 67,000 in 1997 to an ultimate maximum potential of 100,236 (including annexed area). Therefore, the demand for recreation facilities will also grow -- in addition to any unmet park and recreation needs of the present population. The above population increases translate to the need for additional recreation facilities in some Service Areas. These needed facilities are identified in Chapter 3. Future Annexation Areas Important potential annexation areas located adjacent to the City are shown on Figure 1 -2. If such areas are annexed, demand for recreation facilities by residents of the areas must be • addressed, as well as existing and future park and recreation facilities located in these areas which might help satisfy that demand. Ll Ciosa: Circulation And ImprovementAnd Open Space Agreement In 1992, the City Council adopted Development Agreement No. 6, through which the City of Newport Beach and the Irvine Company entered into the Circulation Improvement and Open Space Agreement ( CIOSA). The agreement resulted in various building entitlements for the Irvine Company, in exchange for which the City of Newport Beach will receive pre - payment of required "fair- share" road improvement fees, a commitment to construct road improvements adjacent to the proposed projects, an interest free loan, and at least 76 acres more open space land than would be required under the City's General Plan and its Park Dedication Ordinance. This Element addresses the role of the CIOSA agreement in providing for the present and future recreation and open space needs of the community. i'� 1 -7 RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT 1. INTRODUCTION • Sharing Of Recreation Facilities 40 Public schools within the City administered by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District contain a number of important recreation facilities, including playfields, swimming pools, gymnasiums, and other facilities. Policies to foster cooperation with the School District to maximize after- school recreational use of these facilities are contained in this Element (see Chapter 3, Objective No. 3). ESA's: Environsnentallv Sensitive Areas The City's Local Coastal Program (LCP) identifies a number of environmentally sensitive areas. These are mostly water - associated habitats such as marine intertidal, riparian, or marsh areas. They include all or portions of the following areas: Santa Ana River Mouth/Oxbow Loop, North Star Beach, Westbay, Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, San Diego Creek, Eastbluff Remnant, Mouth of Big Canyon, Newporter North, Buck Gully, Morning Canyon, Corona del Mar Marine Life Refuge, and Castaways. These environmentally sensitive areas are described in detail in the Local Coastal Program. The Recreation and Open Space Element contains policies designed to enhance recreational and open space qualities, consistent with their sensitivity and their overriding need for preservation as expressed in the LCP. Beach And Harbor Facilities The recreation needs survey conducted for the preparation of this Element identified additional recreation facilities desired by residents of the City. A significant percentage of the survey respondents expressed a desire for additional public boat launching and sailing facilities within the City. This need is addressed in the chapter on Objectives and Policies. �� 1 -9 RECREATIONAND OPENSPACE ELEMENT 1. INTRODUCTION • TYPES OF PARKS This Element refers to various types of parks, open space, and other redreation- related terms. These terms, including suggested park sizes, locations, type of improvements, and anticipated use, are described below. Community Park Community parks serve the entire City and are easily accessible via arterial roads. Community parks are those with improvements such as community buildings, parking, swimming, facilities for picnicking, active sports, and other facilities that serve a larger population. Community Parks may have a particular theme or orientation such as active sports or aquatic facilities. Mini Park Mini parks are smaller parks which may take one of two different forms. Most mini parks are less than one acre in size, serve a quarter -mile radius and are located within a neighborhood, separate from major or collector roads. Some mini parks serve the entire City and are located as urban trail heads along major trails or streets. Conventional mini parks may include play apparatus, passive green spaces or a focus on one • active sport such as tennis or basketball. Mini parks which serve as staging areas may include drinking fountains, restrooms, benches, shady trees, bicycle racks or, in some cases, parking. Neieiaboritood Park Neighborhood parks serve all ages and are generally one to eight acres in size. (Some existing neighborhood parks are smaller and some are larger than this standard.) They are located adjacent to public schools when possible. Neighborhood parks contain a wide variety of improvements which can include turf areas, active sport fields and courts, community buildings, play apparatus and picnic facilities. Other improvements might include senior center, youth center and aquatic facilities. Neighborhood parks which include unique recreational facilities, such as basketball courts, tennis courts, turf areas, active sports fields, community buildings, unique play areas, or view parks are considered citywide resources used by all citizens. View Park View parks are smaller passive parks designed to take advantage of a significant view. They are often located on coastal bluffs to focus upon ocean or'bay views. Most view parks are between one -half to three acres in size and serve the entire City. View parks are generally improved with • landscaping, walkways and benches. �(� 1 -10 RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEVENT 1. INTRODUCTION • Bikeways Backbone bikeways are major throughway trails that connect to regional trails. They are primarily on major roads and serve the functional and recreational cyclist. Secondary Bikeways connect to backbone trails and serve cyclists and children riding to and from school. Environmentally Sensitive Areas Environmentally Sensitive Areas are those passive open space areas possessing unique environmental value which may warrant some form of protection or preservation. Such areas include, but are not limited to: • Areas supporting species which are rare, endangered, of limited distribution or otherwise sensitive. • Riparian areas • Freshwater marshes d. Saltwater marshes • Intertidal areas • Other wetlands • Unique or unusually diverse vegetative communities. Greenbelt • Greenbelts in public or private ownership are included in this category. They may include areas with some recreational facilities, although the primary function of the area is passive open space. Jogging Trail These trails are routes commonly used for community wide running events sponsored by the City. Marine Life Refuge The Marine Life Refuge is located in tidelands off the coast of Corona del Mar. It is managed by the state Department of Fish and Game and' exists for the purpose of protecting marine and intertidal life. Open Space Open space includes passive and active open space areas which do not function as public parks but do provide open space relief. Such areas may or may not be accessible to the general public. Pedestrian Trail • Pedestrian trails include, improved or unimproved walkways or sidewalks located within park, beach, greenbelt, or open space areas. J 1 1 -11 RECREATIONAND OPENSPACE ELEMENT 1. INTRODUCTION • Public Beach Public Beaches serve a number of local and regional functions. In some neighborhoods, beaches function as neighborhood or community parks. Easy accessibility, lack of entrance fees and a lack of other available parks has contributed to this function. Public beaches all include sandy beach areas adjacent to the bay or ocean and may include active sports, snack bars, showers, drinking fountains, restrooms, walkways, docks, benches, shade trees and parking areas. Regional Equestrian Trail Regional Equestrian trails are backbone routes designated in the Orange County General Plan Transportation Element. Restricted Access Overlay This overlay notes areas where, due to hazards, safety or lack of improved trails, access is limited. Scenic Highway and Scenic Drive Scenic Highways are designated by the state Department of Transportation (CalTrans) as • throughways with significant scenic qualities. Scenic drives are local City designated roads that enable scenic vistas for the motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian. Key views include the bay and ocean. • School Public schools are a part of -the recreation system in the City because field and playground areas can serve the general public during weekends and after school. All existing schools and school sites are therefore shown in this Element's Recreation and Open Space Plan. Staging Area: Staging areas are suggested gathering or drop -off locations for connecting to equestrian, pedestrian, jogging or bicycle trails or area beaches. Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve The reserve, which is managed by the State Department of Fish and Game, is set aside for resource protection, water maintenance, and educational and recreational purposes. 0 1 -12 91z DRAFT - FOR COMMENT 2. NEEDS ♦ PARKLAND SUMMARY ♦ COMMUNITYSURVEYS ♦ PARKLAND ACREAGE TABLE ♦ CITYWIDE NEEDS ♦ SERVICE AREA NEEDS ♦ REGIONAL NEEDS This Chapter describes the needs of the residents of Newport Beach for open space land and recreation facilities as identified through community surveys, observation, and other sources. PARKLAND SUMMARY Table 2 -1 (Parkland Acreage Needs), later in this chapter, shows the amount of existing (1997) and future parkland needed' by service area. The following acreage needs were identified: • In 1997, the City (excluding the potential Newport Coast annexation area) contained • 305 acres of park and active beach recreatiou area. • The above recreation acreage is 28 acres less than the computed 1997 need of 333 acres. • >(, • The above deficiency is partially mitigated by 68 acres of existing school recreation land. • The existing park/active beach acreage is 145 acres less than the ultimate need of 450 acres projected at the City's maximum (2010) buildout population of 90,000 (again, excluding the potentialNewp"ort Coast annexation';area)w RECREATIONAND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT • COMMUNITYSURVEYS Z NEEDS The Technical Appendix includes the results of a survey of the recreation needs of residents and of sports team coaches and officials conducted by the City from December 1996 to February 1997. Because of the nature of these surveys and the relatively small number of respondents, the _, _. results do not reflect a scientific sample. owever, ahe surge- results are consistent, Wit an reinforced by: (1)', comments -niai a fo the Parks,, - Beaches;, and Recreation.,Commission'by residents,, and ;(2) the,observati'ons 'of,Coiiiu ulii- Bert ices staff in the'ad'ininisiration ,of Residents' Survey: 1. The most requested public recreational facilities were walking paths (60 %), bike trails (47 %), community/indoor swimming pools (34 %), lighted tennis courts (25 %), and roller rink/rollerblade facilities,(24 %). 2. The most requested adult activities were adult pool sports (22 %) and adult indoor volleyball (17 %). 3. The most requested youth activities were youth pool sports (52 %) and youth soccer (51 %): In addition, substantial percentages of respondents requested facilities for youth gymnastics, rollerskating, basketball, baseball /softball, and track and field. 4. Overall, 36% of residents felt the City needed more recreational facilities for adults and • 26% felt the City needed more recreational facilities for children. 5. Persons between the ages of 36 -45 had the largest attendance (81 %) at City- sponsored classes /activities. • Coaches & Officials Survey: 1. There is a need for more sports fields (identified by 41% of respondents) and better maintenance of existing fields (23 %). 2. 'In the future, the City will need more soccer fields (esp. lighted, as identified by 70% of respondents), baseball/softball, fields (51 %), rollerblade facilities (42 0/6), and gymnasiums (41 %). 3. More space will be needed for indoor recreational facilities in the future (74 %). 4. More facilities will be needed for adult soccer, baseball, aquatics, and basketball in the future. 5. More facilities will be needed for youth soccer, baseball/softball, rollerhockey, and basketball in the future. See Policy 2.1: Facility and Locational Needs in Chapter 3 for further discussion of identified recreation and open space needs. y 1) 2 -2 RECREATIONAND OPENSPACE ELEMENT • PARKLAND ACREAGE NEEDS 2. NEEDS The following table is a summary of existing park and recreation acreage plus acreage needed to meet the City's standard of five acres per 1000 residents -- both as of 1997 and at projected City buildout in 2010. eareaawigFnte 1• -1): The above Citywide totals do not include the private,parks in the potential future Newport Coast annexation area, Service Area 12, because that area is not presently part of the City. . Existing acreages were taken from the Inventory of Existing Facilities in the Technical Appendix. The results in the preceding table are discussed later in this chapter under Citywide Needs and Service Area Needs. W] RECREATIONAND OPENSPACE ELEhIENT • CITYWIDE NEEDS Z NEEDS The citywide and service area needs described in the following sections have been identified through the community surveys referred to earlier in this Chapter, through the data in Table 2 -1 Parkland Acreage Needs, and through monitoring of the use of recreation programs and facilities. These needs are further addressed in Policy 2.1: Facility and Locational Needs, in Chapter 3 and in the Recreation and Open Space Plan in Chapter 4. Parkland: The City's parkland standard is 5 acres per 1000 population. (This is a little lower than the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) standards, which recommend a range of 6.25 to 10.5 acres per 1000 population of local or close to home recreation open space. "Local' or close to home" refers to mini - parks, neighborhood park/playgrounds and community parks.) For purposes of this Recreation and Open Space Element, the City's 5 -acre standard will be used. As noted at the beginning of this chapter, in 1997, the City (less the potential Newport Coast annexation area) contained 305 acres of park and active beach recreation area. This was 28 acres less than the computed 1997 need of 333 acres and 145 acres less than the ultimate need of 450 acres projected at the City's maximum (2010) buildout population of 90,000. This Element provides policies and plans to close the above gap between park needs • and park acreage. Within the above acreage deficiencies, sports fields, lighted active facilities, and gymnasiums are in-especially short supply. In addition, the portions of beach area used for active recreation are not suitable for general park use. These issues are discussed below. Sports Fields: Perhaps the fastest growing recreational demand in Newport Beach is the need for additional sports fields, especially lighted facilities available for after -work sports leagues. This need stems from the growing participation of girls in a number of field sports, ,the lengthening of seasons for many sports and consequent season overlap, the need for sports facilities for the physically challenged, and the continuing high level of participation in company sports leagues such as coed softball. Meeting this need will be a challenge because of the large amount of area required for sports fields, the lack of suitable vacant land in the City, and the high cost of such land. Indoor Facilities The community surveys emphasized the need for additional gymnasium or other indoor sports facilities, such as for basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics. Additional indoor facilities should • be planned for the long -term, located preferably within a community-level park. !i 2 -4 RECREATIONAND OPENSPACE ELEMENT Z NEEDS • Community Pool Facilities: The need surveys showed a strong desire for additional adult and youth swimming pool and aquatic sports facilities and programs. For example, 34 percent of respondents listed community/indoor swimming pools as a requested public recreational facility. The most requested adult activities were adult pool sports (22 %), while the most requested youth activities were youth pool sports (52 %). Boating Facilities: Although not as great as the need for sports fields, there is a substantial demand for public boat launching facilities, marine sanitation facilities, and guest slips. In addition, there is a continuing high level of interest in crew rowing and outrigger paddling activities and facilities. Environmentally Sensitive Areas: ESA's located in and around the Upper Newport Bay and tideland, canyon, and natural areas away from the Upper Bay should be protected and open to the level of public access consistent with this protection. School Facilities: • The statewide effort to reduce class sizes has generated the need for additional classroom space at the local level. This could cause the Newport-Mesa Unified School District to reactivate "dormant" school sites presently leased to the City for recreational purposes and could impact the availability of sports fields for group sports such as soccer, softball, and little league. Park Dedication Ordinance and Park Fee Policy: The City's current Park Dedication Ordinance works in conjunction with its Park Fee Policy to control the dedication of park land and in -lieu park fees. These documents, along with agreements such as CIOSA, have served the City well in effecting the acquisition of new park land. However, as part of the present Element overhaul, applicable standards and other provisions should be re- examined to determine if revisions and/or refinements are needed. • �'� / 2 -5 RECREATIONAND OPENSPACE ELEMENT . SERVICE AREA NEEDS Z NEEDS Service Area 1- West Newport: Most of West Newport's ,recreation land is in beaches. There is a need for sports fields within a new community or neighborhood -level park. Service Area 2 - Balboa Peninsula: Like West Newport, most of the peninsula's recreation area is in beaches. This area has little vacant land for development and the population is expected to remain stable. .Unmet pak needs can. be.satisfiedrvia the ien�ovati_on and grading of facilities, such�as thoseas• Arenas..Park •.and. Peninsula P.'arkd Additional active park facilities are desirable, along with support facilities such as restrooms, showers and drinking fountains. Also, additional boat launching and mooring facilities and additional pedestrian pathways to and along the Bay are desirable. Service Area 3 - Newport HeightsHarbor Highlands:. This area is largely built out and contains several important park and recreation facilities. Substantial school recreation facilities, including Newport Harbor High School, Ensign Junior High, Mariners Elementary, and Newport Heights Elementary, compensate for its slight deficiency in total park area. Service Area 4 - Santa Ana Heights /Airport Commercial. This area contained only 600 residents in the 1990 census. This population is expected to remain stable or decline in light of the Land Use Element's policies aimed at limiting residential development under the flight • pattern of John Wayne Airport. The present two -acre Bayview Park and the proximity of the Upper Bay recreation area provides substantial recreational opportunities for the small population in the area. Service Area 5 - Lower Bay: This area contains Lido Isle and the Bayside Drive area and is largely built out. The area has substantial private recreational and boating facilities. It is also adjacent to Area 3 (Newport Heights) where there are extensive recreational facilities. Because of these factors and the fact there is little or no vacant land suitable for park use, the provision of additional park land is probably not feasible in this area. Service Area 6 - Balboa Island: This area is similar, in terms of recreation needs and conditions, to Area 5 above. However, Balboa Island contains more public recreational facilities in the form of public beach area and the Carroll Beek Community Center and mini -park. However, the acquisition of additional park land is probably not feasible in this area. Service Area 7 - Eastbktff/Nortl: Ford. This area contains major undeveloped parcels designated for residential development. Although there is a numerical, excess of existing park land in this area, most of the land is limited to passive use, such as Big Canyon Park. Additional ,sports fields and other active facilities will be needed to accommodate the recreational demands from new development. • Service Area 8 - Bie CanyonBelcourt: Although there are substantial private facilities, there are no public recreation facilities in this area. Because there is a deficiency of 14 acres, park facilities should be provided in or near this service area. �� 2 -6 RECREATIONAND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT 2 NEEDS • Service Area 9 - Newport Center: This area is similar to Area 8 above. The 11 -acre deficiency should be mitigated by the provision of public recreation facilities in or near the service area. u • Service Area 10 - Corona del Mar: There is little vacant land left for residential development in this area. Present active and passive facilities should meet present and future need, provided facilities are renovated and upgraded to meet demand for sports fields and active recreation. Service Area 11- Harbor View: This area is largely built out and contains substantial active and passive recreation facilities. The City's efforts should be focused on maintaining and/or upgrading existing facilities, suc%as GrOTHowald,*;P k. Service Area 12 - Newport Coast: This is an unincorporated area within the City's Sphere of Influence presently undergoing development. The area provides considerable private recreation facilities within its master plan. If the area is annexed, one of the important issues to be decided will be whether these facilities will become public or remain private. i' ; 2 -7 RECREATIONAND OPENSPACE ELEMENT 2. NEEDS • REGIONAL NEEDS Upper Newport Bay: The Upper Newport Bay, often referred to as the "back bay ", is a major environmental and recreational resource for the .City and the surrounding region. There are a number of environmentally sensitive lands abutting the bay which are part of its ecosystem. Although the Upper Bay is located in the City and is an open space amenity for City residents, it is primarily a regional resource. Therefore, direct responsibility for the preservation of the Upper Bay rests with county and state agencies. Preservation or partial preservation of parcels adjacent to the Bay would meet regional open space, passive recreational (viewing, walking) and resource protection needs as well as some citywide recreational and open space needs. This Element calls for City cooperation with other public agencies to preserve the sensitive ecological resources of the Upper Bay. Bike Trails: Bike trails and other bikeways are provided for in the Circulation Element because of their importance as transportation routes. However, because they are also recreational resources, bike trails are referred to in this Recreation and Open Space Element as well. (The term "bikeways" • refers to all bicycle circulation routes: on -road bike routes and bike lanes plus off -road bikeways. "Bike trails" refers primarily to off -road bikeways.) • Several regional bicycle trails pass through the City of Newport Beach. These trails provide alternate circulation routes and access to areas of regional interest and constitute an important component of the local recreation system. The Circulation Element identifies routes of existing or appropriate future trails. The City should continue to work closely with other local, governments to implement connections from regional to local trails and to popular destinations located in the City. (n 2 -8