By james art 
January 29th. Crossing the Sustainability Plan (which was canceled, a month later); Changing the text for zoning and others.
While many of the objects were packed in a two -week period at the end of November and in early December generated debate and even grief, the City Council quietly approved a 300 -page document that affects almost every resident.
As part of December 5, the “Program of Consent” -Articulas that do not have individual presentations and were voted as a group-then mayor David Ortega and the Council unanimously approved the following:
“Accept Resolution No. 13283 Approval of the Park and Recreation Master Plan of Scottsdale in 2024 and to authorize the Assistant Director of Public Services or Designer to take action if necessary to carry out the intention of this resolution.”
According to a press release, the master plan “is the culmination of 19 months of working with expert consultants DWL Architects and Kimley-Horn”.
During the press, progress did not receive an answer on how much the consultants were paid and the overall budget of the plan.
As a preface to the long-term document, there is a “summary of the executive”- 24 pages full of statistics and story.
The plan is trying to set a common path for the next decade – factoring the expected growth.
“The Scottsdale Park and Recreation Plan is a long -distance plan that identifies key initiatives, policies and implementation strategies to manage the projects and services of Parks and Recreation of Scottsdale over the next 10 years,” begins the executive summary.
Sweepin’s goal: “To meet the needs of Scottsdale’s current and future residents.”
The city calls its 45 parks, six community centers, 53 tennis courts, four dog parks, 29 tournament courts, 45 playgrounds, two skate parks and more “remarkable places to relax” aimed at providing “experiences that support a healthy, inclusive and active community. “
How active?
Very active, according to a study ordered by parks and records that anchor the master plan.
According to the survey, “90% of residents reported visiting parks and recreation facilities in Scottsdale in the last year”, with 86% of the respondents saying that Scottsdale parks and the cultivation facilities “improve their physical health and fitness”.
The document states that Scottsdale’s population is expected to increase by 11% over the next 15 years. As such, “Parks and recreation services will need to strategically invest, develop and maintain parks and facilities for recreation.”
According to the US Census Bureau, 26% of the 244 394 inhabitants of Scottsdale are 65 years or older.
Scotsdale will continue his tendency to aging, according to the summary of the executive branch:
“By 2038, the city is expected to grow old, as the sedation of the age 55+ is expected to represent 49% of the total population.”
This will a tendency for even more demand for two of Scottsdale’s most popular activities: walking and tournament.
After public meetings, social media, studies and visits to websites in the last three years, parks and RC claim that more than 300,000 “common entrances” in the master plan claim.
The results?
About 9 to 10 – 86% – from residents “support the improvement of the existing infrastructure park”.
And 79% of residents “support the improvement of existing reusable systems”.
According to the summary of the executive branch, “90% rated the Scotsdale recreation program as good or excellent.”
However, when you ask him “During a typical year, do you or members of your household in any parks and programs for recreation or events offered and/or hosts from the city of Scottsdale?” – nearly 60% answered “No”.
Three -quarters who responded want more shade structures, while about two -thirds want more and/or better rooms for rest in parks.
The best needs of the program include community and stage arts events.
And people want more opportunities for relaxation led by tournament, disc golf, dog parks – and swimming (“Better Times of Tour”).
The summary of the executive summary “Reinvestment in our section parks” contains a summary “What we heard” related to five recommendations.
Two of the five “key recommendations” are more major plans – for Chaparral and Cactus parks.
Another is “rebranding the Indian band washing as a regional park”.
Capra certified
“The plan is a solid starting point,” said adviser Barry Graham. “Fortunately, many residents have provided their opinions.”
He noted the general nature of the new master plan: “While planning every project, responding to residents may require modifications. The city must be flexible as the needs and preferences vary through time and throughout the city.”
However, he added: “I’m excited about the improvements coming to our parks – including those in the southern city.”
Advisor Merian McAlan, who had not yet taken office when the Council approved the plan, said she was digging in the 300-page document-but confident that her old department would continue the best service for the growing city.
“Our department is far more than other cities. We are trying to develop with trends,” McAlan said. “We have more people involved in a tournament than tennis now. It has been going on in the last decade.”
The new female advisor has noted Scottsdale’s recent reacting by the Park Accreditation Commission and recreation agencies.
While less than 2% of the divisions across the country celebrate this honor, Scottsdale Parks and RC support Capra accreditation since 1994-Rebating Scotsdale into the longest accredited agency in Arizona and one of the five longest accredited in the United States S
“We are doing well in parks and rick,” McAlan said. “But we can always do better.”
When she says “we” about the department, she speaks as a favorite alum.
“I started as a leisure leader in 1984 – there I met with my husband,” says McAlan, a former longtime employee of the city. “My favorite Park Scotsdale is Chaparal. That’s where I started.
“My husband worked at Vista – so Vista is close and dear to my heart.”