Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 CHAPTER 6 PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN · Chapter 6 Recreation and Cultural Programs Auburn-An Active Community The City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department has an active series of recreation and cultural programs. Survey results show thirty-two percent of the city's population participate in at least one of these programs. Compared to other cities, this is a fairly high rate of participation. The most active age groups are 5-14 and 45-54, both of whom participate at levels of more than fifty percent. . While interest in additional recreation programs is evident, the City has difficulty providing these because of a lack of existing facilities and classroom space. Currently, athletic and recreation programs are conducted at the four middle schools, the four high schools and most elementary schools. Analysis of recreation programs repeatedly revealed the need for indoor spaces for many types of athletic, cultural and recreational activities. Development of a community center with meeting rooms, fitness/dance rooms, gymnasiums and other similar facilities is necessary to meet current recreation program needs. A community center would also relieve some of the pressure now placed on other facilities, such as the Parks and Recreation Administration Building, Senior Center, City Hall and the Multi-purpose Building at Les Gove Community Campus. . Auburn * More Than You Imagined 6-1 CIn OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON A Variety of Departmental Programs The Parks and Recreation Department programs are divided into seven major activity areas: . 1. Athletic Programs 2. Cultural Programs 3. Heritage and Preservation Programs 4. Leisure and Education Programs 5. Marketing and Community Events 6. Senior Activity Center Programs 7. Specialized Recreation Programs 8. Teen Programs City residents are offered a broad selection of leisure time activities contributing to social interaction, physical recreation and health, and cultural and artistic enrichment. The components are described individually in this chapter. In this chapter, the needs of each program are discussed in detail. Some general conclusions and recommendations are also made about all programs offered by the City. This overview guides the City's direction to maintain the high quality of its recreation programs. . Conclusionsl Recommendations for All Recreation Programs 1. Increase Awareness Continue to increase awareness of recreation programs by trying new marketing avenues. 2. Class Scheduling Offer some classes with both daytime, evening and weekend hours, to meet the needs of those without traditional 8-to-5 work schedule. While the current space shortage makes this difficult now, it would become more possible with the construction of additional indoor recreation facilities. 3. Families and Neighborhoods Reinforce family structure and interaction by offering activities or outings suitable to families. Continue to offer some programs at neighborhood locations, thereby strengthening the role and identity of neighborhoods . in the city. 6-2 · · · PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN 4. Environmental Education Increase children's exposure to the natural world through activities and fun learning opportunities at suitable locations. As parks are developed around wetlands and other natural areas, students can be involved in all stages, from design to implementation and maintenance. Adult environmental education can also inform residents of the functions and value of our open spaces (and the care and awareness of our urban assets). An Urban Tree Board was created in 2004 to help educate citizens of Auburn on the needs and benefits of trees. S. Topics for Recreation Programs Direction for recreation program topics are gleaned from several sources: the public opinion survey conducted in 2004, direct requests to the Parks & Recreation Department, and recommendations by Park & Recreation Board and Parks & Recreation staff. The survey is an especially rich source of ideas for activities. The Recreation Needs Assessment should be reviewed periodically to generate new strategies for recreation programming. The survey results most relevant to recreation programming are shown in Table 6-1 on page 6-4. This table indicates activities Auburn residents are interested in, whether programs are currently offered, and whether facilities are available to provide the activity. 6-3 Auburn * More Than You Imagined CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON Table 6-1 Potential Recreation Programs and Facilities, Based on Survey Results · Need for a Facility, or Programs Available City-Owned for Additional Currently Activity Offered Facililties Facilities? Not in a structured 1. Running or Walking program Trails, Paths, Sidewalks Yes All city parks and trails including Game Farm Park, Game Farm Wilderness Park, Backyard Idea Garden, Environmental 2. Visitina Nature Areas No Park, and Lakeland Nature Area Yes Indoor: Performing Arts Center, ARHS Theatre (Auburn School District), GRCC; 3. Attending live Outdoor: Game Farm Park and Les Gove 'Yes, a small performance space theater/conc_ert ¡>erf0rmances Yes Park downtown 4th of July, Veterans Day Community Center/Indoor facility 4. Attending community Parade, needed for inclement weather and special events KidsDay Existing parks and streets are used for banquet seating 5. Adult fitness/aerobics Yes, Senior Center and Parks Adm. Exercise Room & Gymnasium classes Yes Building. School gy.ms are limited. with appropriate amenüies , 6. Recreational Yes with Auburn School District Pool and Auburn ~immi~g/swim lessons agreement ValleyYMC~£,ool No -----...------..-------- Yes with Auburn School District Pool and Auburn 7. Swimming for agreement Valley YMCA Pool. Agreement with exerciselwater fitness classes with city YMCA No Shared space with Senior Center, Parks -- Yes, classroom & space in 8. Adult classes Yes Adm. Building, Auburn School District neighborhoods Yes, Driving Range, addüional g. Golf Yes Auburn Golf Course parking, new clubhouse ------ ---------- Through unified bicycling programs. Interurban Trail, Non-motorized trails, Yes, Green River Trail and 10. Bicycling Yes White River Trail connections between other routes. _11' Senior_ Citizen Programs Yes n_Senior Activüy genter Yes,Çlassroom space 12. Youth Baseball Yes ¡ Multiple fields No 13. Participating in theater, . Senior Activity Center, Parks Adm. Yes, space with appropriate dance. visual arts Yes Building, Performing Arts Center (ASD) amenities Outdoor: Game Farm Park, Brannan Yes, 16 additional fields needed & 14. Youth Soccer Yes Park, and YMCA upgraded field turf 15. Using gyms for No City-owned, School District and Need for 3 gyms identified in the basketball, volleyball Yes GRCC limited gym use Recreation Needs Assessment 16. Summer camn nronrams Yes, Indoor classroom & gym Yes Les Gove Park, Game Farm & Schools space · · 6-4 · · · PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN Need for a Facility, or Prog rams Available City-Owned for Additional Cu rrently Activity Offered Facililties Facilities? _....,.~ ~- Not in a 17. Skateboarding/lnline structured Yes, need additional skateparks hockey program Sunset Park and Brannan Park indicated by high usage Yes, need classroom & Les Gove Bldg_, Senior Center, Parks gymnasium with appropriate 18. Youth classes Yes Adm. Bldg., ASD & private facilities amenities ~ - No, City of Kent meets regional 19. Ice-Skating/Hockey No No needs Multiple courts & AHS and ARHS tennis No, according to recreation needs 20. Tennis Yes courts assessment Game Farm Park, Brannan Park, Fulmer No, according to recreation needs 21. Adult Softball Yes Park assessment Game Farm Park, Brannan Park, Fulmer Park, GSA Park, Sunset Park, Lea Hill No, according to recreation needs 22. Youth Softball Yes Park, Les Gove Park assessment 23. Football/Lacrosse/Field ~ No, according to recreation needs Hockey Yes Limited: Flag Football assessment Auburn Valley YMCA Pool and Auburn 24. Competitive Swimmina No School District Pool No Auburn * More Than You Imagined 6-5 6-6 CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON Athletic Programs Many area residents participate in the athletic programs sponsored by the City's Parks and Recreation Department. In 2003, approximately 7,000 youth and adults participated in these programs, an decrease of approximately 10 percent since 1997. This is compared to an estimated population increase of about 1 percent for the same period, for residents age 5 and over. · Several explanations can be given for the decreasing recreation rate. This is partially due to residents having more options for meeting their recreational, health, and fitness needs. In addition, many people have a perception of less leisure time in their lives today. Residents have the opportunity to become involved in many sports activities, and can participate as an individual, or as part of an organized team or league. Programs are provided for both youth and adults, and are further divided into coed programs, and all male and all female programs. Survey results show that 9 percent of the city's population would like to see more adult sports offered and additional 19 percent would like to see more youth sports. · Adult Athletics Adult athletic programs revolve primarily around the sports of softball, basketball, volleyball and flag football. Soccer plays a smaller role, possibly because many adults today did not play soccer as children. Women's activities show the most dramatic decrease, with City records showing 25 percent less participants in 2003 than in 1997. Coed programs also show a sizeable decrease of 20 percent for the same period, while activities with mostly men participating decreased by about 15 percent. Programs such as flag football and basketball still attract primarily men, although they are open to all players. There is a growing trend of people doing more family centered activities and other individual sports and activities. Adult athletic program offerings should be directed at meeting the needs of individuals and families. · · · · PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN Youth Athletics Youth athletic programs are offered for children as young as four years old, and serve up to age 18. The introduction of a T-Ball program for four to six year olds has been extremely successful, with 654 children playing in 2003. This program is partially responsible for a huge increase in co-ed sports for youth. Soccer is another sport that has seen a large increase in participation, with 956 children participating in 2003, compared to 825 in 1997. Athletic Programs Needs/Recommendations 1. Increase Participation by Women and Girls Continue to expand the co-ed, women's and girls programs as new recreation facilities are provided. Investigate ways to inform more women ofthe women's athletic programs. Encourage participation of women in programs traditionally dominated by men. 2. Coordinate with Schools Continue to coordinate programs with schools. Work with the local school district to maximize use of current facilities. 3. Offer Programs in New Sports Experiment with offering athletic programs/classes in new or developing sports such as in-line skating, frisbee golf, bocce, mountain-biking, and extreme sports (skateboarding, BMX bike courses). Place an emphasis on family and individual oriented programs. 4. Track Local Interests Track interest in sports, which would be appropriate for league play, such as tennis, but for which there is currently insufficient demand in Auburn. 5. Gymnasium Space Currently adult fitness and dance classes are held in school gymnasiums. School gyms are not available during the day and are increasingly used for a variety of community programs. This has created increasingly difficult scheduling issues. Scheduled City activities are often pre-empted by school activities. This causes youth and adult programs to be rescheduled, since there are no back-up locations available. City-owned and scheduled gymnasium space is needed just to maintain the current course offerings. Gym space is vital if these very popular programs are to be expanded to keep up with the community's growing population. An addition of a Community Center with gymnasium space will be reviewed during 2004-2005. Auburn * More Than You Imagined 6-7 CI1Y OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON Cultural Programs The Arts Section . Introduction The City of Auburn Arts Commission (CAAC) was founded in 1985. The commission is made up of 12 members from the community, appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council. It is a local arts agency dedicated to serving the citizens of Auburn by fostering cultural growth and enrichment. The commission, with staff support from the Parks and Recreation Department, has developed a community arts program that includes performing arts, visual arts, public art, literary arts, arts-in-education, and grant programs through a variety of city, county government, and local community funding sources. The commission represents the community and makes recommendations to the Mayor, the City Council, and the Council Committee on Planning and Community Development. Auburn Arts Commission Mission To foster cultural growth and enrichment within the community while sponsoring programs representative of the arts spectrum. In recognition that the arts contribute enormously to Auburns quality of life and foster economic growth, the commission strives for excellence, diversity, and vitality in its programming, while broadening the availability and appreciation of . the arts. Principal Goals: 1. To promote art as a community-building activity that embraces the diversity of Auburn. 2. To expand and explore opportunities for art, keeping them accessible and affordable. Community Art Programs The commission's principal programs are: performing arts, visual arts, public art, literary arts, arts-in-education and grants. Performing Arts provide lively entertainment and enrich the cultural fabric of the city. The commission presents year-round series of community events including: · The acclaimed BRA VOl and BRA VOl Kids, a world-class mix of local, national and international performances, held at the Auburn Performing Arts Center and the Auburn Riverside Theatre, which run September through April. · Shades of Summer, a rich variety of outdoors concerts in the parks held for young kids on Wednesdays at noon in Les Gove Park, and for families on Friday evenings at Game Farm Park. · The commission provides stage entertainment and artisans for arts and craft booths at Auburn's celebrated 4th of July Festival. · For Community Festivals, such as Auburn Downtown Sidewalk Sale and Auburn Good . OI'Days, the commission sponsors a selection of stage entertainment. 6-8 · · · PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN Visual Arts are represented through a series of temporary rotating art exhibitions at the City Hall Gallery. Each fall, artists are selected in a juried process to create eight exhibitions that showcase paintings, printmaking, and photography. Artwork is also shown downtown at the Sounder Transit Station. Public Art. In 1988 the commission created its Art In Public Places program and each year commissions one new work of art to enhance the city's parks, streetscapes or civic institutions. Auburn has a significant inventory of public artworks (refer to Public Art Inventory attachment). A 2000 publication, "Public Art in Auburn," gives visitors an overview and map for a self-guided tour of the city's artworks. See pages 3-48 and 3-49 for a list of artwork and location map. Recommendations · Recognizing the aging of the city's Public Art collection, develop a maintenance and restoration program. Establish an annual budget to clean and restore the art works, and have an "emergency" fund to deploy costs of refinishing damaged artwork due to vandalism. Be creative in the establishment of these funds as monies used to purchase the art works from the city's real estate taxes (REET) cannot be used for anything other than capital purchases. · Through a partnership with the South King County Cultural Coalition, Boeing, and ArtsFund, the city should provide funding for a Regional Economic Impact Study. This will establish the regional economic impact value of the city's performing, public, and temporary art exhibits. · Continue and expand Community Art Programs and define its relationship to total city goals and programs. · Involve business, downtown development, artists, and arts Drganizations, together with the public sector, to actively partner in providing community art programs. Education Basic arts education includes the discipline of literature, visual art and design, performing art, and media art (video, film, television and radio) to all students. There are four reasons why basic art education is important: · To give our young citizens a sense of civilization · To develop creativity · To learn the tools of communication · To provide tools for critical assessment of what one reads, sees, and hears Arts education should be a basic and sequential part of the school curriculum in Kindergarten through grade 12. In the Auburn School District, arts education is not sequentially taught. In 2001-2004 the City of Auburn, in a consortium partnership with Gildo Rey Elementary School and the Auburn School District, received funding from 4Culture (formerly the Cultural Development Authority of King County) to develop a K-5 Artisans In School program. It was a 6-9 Auburn * More Than You Imagined CI1Y OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON vital first step towards encouraging the Auburn elementary schools to include the visual arts as a part of the regular classroom curriculum. Recommendations · The city should continue its support and find ways to further expand the K-5 Artisans In School program. · The city should continue to encourage, and work collaboratively with the Auburn School District and the arts community, to develop community based arts education programs for all ages, K-12 grades. · The city should continue to encourage the school district to include all forms of art as a basic part of the education curriculum. Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations The vitality of the arts in any community is largely dependent on the artists and arts organizations that live and work there. There are some resources and amenities for artists in Auburn, such as the commission's Arts Organization Support Grant program. Funds are also available for local artists and arts organizations through the Washington State Arts Commission, and 4Culture (formerly the Cultural Development Authority of King County). Local artists have some opportunities to display and sell their work, or to perform locally, but overall there could be more. Support and assistance programs should involve public and private partnership. Recommendations · The city should continue to find means to expand support and assistance to local artists and arts organizations. The private sector and the arts community should be active partners in this process. · Where appropriate, the city should create economic development policies that increase the resources available that encourage or provide incentives, which attract and keep local artists and arts organizations in our community. · Review and expand funding available in the existing grant programs for Auburn artists and arts organizations. · Strengthen the work of the Parks Arts Recreation and Cultural Foundation (PARe) and continue to research and explore applications for funding from local, regional, and national individuals, corporations, foundations and government sources. It is essential to establish a separate 501.c.3 foundation in order for the City of Auburn Arts Commission to solicit funds for its programs. Facilities Auburn is a center for the arts in south King County, and is home to numerous prominent arts organizations, such as the Auburn Symphony Orchestra (a fully professional orchestra), The Evergreen City Ballet, Auburn Avenue Dinner Theatre, the award-winning White River Valley Museum, Splab! (a literary and poetry organization), Global Voices Radio, and more. Each offers outstanding programs within the community. 6-10 · · · · · · PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN Quality performances attract people region-wide to state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor theaters. Auburn is unique in south King County to have an abundance of premium performance space. The Auburn Performing Arts Center is a beautiful state-of-the-arts 1,100- seat theater, located on the campus of Auburn High School. Auburn Riverside Theatre, a 400- seat facility located along the Stuck River at Auburn Riverside High School, accommodates small concert groups. Auburn Avenue Dinner Theatre, a landmark historical theater in downtown Auburn, offers patrons a unique dining and theater experience. In 2004, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe opened their White River Amphitheatre, which has a 20,OOO-person capacity. Also in 2004, Green River Community College opened its new Kennelly Commons with a 250-seat performing arts center. In 2005, a 400-seat theater will open at MountainView High School located on Lea Hill. The City Hall Gallery offers adequate exhibition space to visual artists and there are several small private gallery spaces in the downtown core and at Green River Community College. Additionally, the White River Valley Museum has a gallery dedicated to rotating temporary art exhibitions. While many visual and performing artists reside in Auburn, there are no dedicated public spaces for artists to work or rehearse. Recommendations: · The city should participate in a Cultural Facility Needs Assessment by assessing the role of all segments of the community in providing arts facilities (new, private, school and regional arts facilities, etc). · The city should clarify its own role as a provider of arts facilities, by developing a short and long-range plan for arts facility development. Access Equal access to public, visual, and performing arts programs and recreational services is a fundamental component of the Parks and Recreation Department Plan, including all of the City of Auburn Arts Commission's programs. Interested citizens must be well informed about these programs and opportunities. They should understand that arts programs are available that can meet their own particular needs. Recommendations: · The city should continue to assure that all its community arts programs are equally accessible to all interested Auburn citizens. · The city should continue to encourage all arts providers to evaluate their programs and to provide equal access. · The city should work collaboratively with the private sector, and the arts and educational communities to assure that all community arts programs are well publicized. · The city needs to further develop multiple sources of marketing to reach diverse audiences. This could include more creative approaches to the production and distribution of posters, postcards, press releases, use of list-serves as a marketing tool, use of Auburn School District Kid Mail, etc.program in 2001-2004. 6-11 Auburn * More Than You Imagined CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON Heritage and Preservation · City-Wide Historic Preservation The City recently established a Landmarks Preservation Board. Two sites in the City were designated historic landmarks: the Carnegie Library and the Mary Olson Farm. Opportunities and methods for the preservation of historical sites and landmarks need to be identified, and City staff members need to coordinate efforts between the Planning Department and the Museum. To accomplish these goals, it is desirable for the City to undertake a planning process addressing these issues and create a means for ensuring our historic resources remain integral and valued elements of our community. Mary Olson Farm In 1994 the City acquired the historic Mary Olson Farm. Recognized as an Landmark Heritage site by King County and the City of Auburn, Olson Farm dates from the 1880s, and vividly portrays a working farm of the early 1900s. The house, barn, and many of the outbuildings are intact, but in need of substantial restoration and rehabilitation. The site offers opportunities for living history programs, the study of nature and the environment, small arts performances or classes, and passive recreation. It is the goal of the Parks and Recreation Department to preserve the Olson Farm and restore the site to its former condition to accommodate visitors for special education programs and family events. An award-winning master site plan was completed in 2000 for the Farm. It is hoped the site will be sufficiently restored to open to the public by 2010. · In 2003 the White River Valley Museum leased the buildings on the Farm with the intention of restoring them as quickly and economically as possible with grant funds. To date, using state and county grants, all buildings were re-roofed, the barn structure was substantially strengthened and its foundations were replaced. The Weaving Shed was fully restored with new foundations, roof, entry awning, repaired windows and siding. Drainage solutions for the entire farm valley were designed and partially completed. The caretaker's mobile home was relocated to a more advantageous site. Operations Plan In 2004 the Mary Olson Farm Operations Plan was developed and accepted formally by both the City Council and the Museum Board. It details the plan for administration, public programs, staffing, board oversight and budget from 2004 to 2014. · 6-12 · · · PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN Heritage and PreselVation Program Recommendations: Olson Farm 1. Continued Restoration and Rehabilitation Although significant restoration has been accomplished, there is still "triage" to do before all the buildings are stable. The farmhouse needs a new foundation, window replacement, and the addition of the front and back porch. The icehouse has structural issues that need investigation. After these triage measures are completed, other restoration can be undertaken ranging from replacing barn doors and siding to reinstalling stairs inside the farmhouse. 2. Acquisition of Adjacent Farm Properties The original Olson Farm north meadow is now owned by King County, as are linear properties along the Green River and Green River Road. These should be acquired and integrated into the landscape plan for the farm and adjacent trails. The north meadow is intended to become the parking lot for Olson Farm events. 3. Habitat Restoration Working with the Environmental Restoration Program, the City of Auburn and the Museum, a plan needs to be developed for restoring the unique habitat in this 60+acre farm. This plan will include stream restoration; trail connections and restoration; removal of invasive species and replanting of the hillside, south and north meadow gardens, and pastures. It is imperative this plan accommodates both the needs of historical restoration and of the salmon habitat. 4. Visitor Amenities Prior to on-going public programs, it is essential to develop parking and restrooms in the north meadow, renovate the wagon road for accessibility, install the gated front entry and visitor's check-in points, install interpretive signage throughout the farm, and develop emergency and handicap access procedures. 5. Increased Staffing Developing Olson Farm beyond the triage of its buildings (i.e. moving into any public programming), will require increased dedicated staff beyond those currently working to manage the Museum and save the Farm. Museum The White River Valley Museum is governed by a private/public partnership agreement between the White River Valley Historical Society and the City of Auburn. This partnership is the result of an extensive planning period (1990-1992) between the City and the Historical Society. The City of Auburn provides the salary for the Museum Director, a .5 Curator of Collections and a .75 Curator of Education, limited financial programming support, and in-kind services, which include printing and mailings. The Museum serves as a community educational institution teaching children and adults about the heritage of the White River Valley. In addition to exhibits, the facility houses an extensive research archive, and manages the caretaking of tens of thousands of precious artifacts. 6-13 Auburn * More Than You Imagined CI1Y OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON The Board of Directors is the governing body of the museum. The 17-member board consists of eight members appointed by the City of Auburn, and nine members elected by the Historical Society. . In the fall of 1997, the Board successfully undertook a $1,000,000 capital campaign for the Museum. These funds paid for the replacement of environmental systems, and for the building, design, and installation of all new permanent exhibits. In 2000 a second building fund successfully raised approximately $450,000 to build a new 2,500 square foot wing housing a collections warehouse and the Muckleshoot Classroom, and renovation of an existing space into a rotating exhibit gallery. Sources of funds have included individuals, foundations, local and international corporations, the State of Washington, King County, and the City of Auburn. Additionally, museum . staff members have raised over $350,000 for Olson Farm building restoration through state and county contracts. With the 2001 opening ofthe new museum facility, efforts began to focus on educational programs for school children and adults. The Museum's public hours increased to meet the needs of researchers, community residents, and tourists. A partnership with the Auburn School District was established which allows the Museum programs to enhance current curriculum. It is planned that every child in Auburn will work with the Museum at least three times during their education: a Kindergarten field trip to learn what a museum is; a third grade field trip to enhance their knowledge of Auburn history and the development of this community; and in classroom lessons . in high school to learn more advanced research and oral history skills. Special rotating exhibits are created on a regular basis to encourage a constant increase in visitors. The Museum also mounts special displays at "outposts" such as the Auburn King Co. Library to increase visibility for the institution. Recommendations 1. Continued Growth of Educational Programs Museum programs are growing to meet the needs of the Auburn community and school district. In 2003 and 2004, all Kindergarten classes in the Auburn School District toured the museum as part of their curriculum. In 2004-2005 , a high school oral history program was piloted. Saturday Family Fun programs continue to develop with a growing audience. The Visit-After-Church Initiative will help church-going Auburn families spend quality time together on Sundays at the museum (the slowest museum day of the week). 2. Increased Visibility The most difficult aspect of successful operation of the White River Valley Museum has always been its lack of visibility. We need large visible signage on Auburn Way South and 12th Street Southeast. Free and paid advertising campaigns are being refined, and staff and volunteers need to visit community groups to promote museum visitation. . 6-14 PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN · 3. Increased Operating Income Despite significant growth in the public service provided by the museum, its operating budget has remained close to level for a number of years. New sources of operating revenue, including exhibit sponsorships, Free Wednesday sponsorships, rental exhibits, and educational kits need to be promoted. City support of Museum utilities needs to be investigated. 4. Increased staffing Additional museum staff members are required to develop and provide programs at Olson Farm; operate the museum during special programs and evening events, and facility rentals. Additionally, increased staff is required to keep up with the demand for education programs and events, and to promote the museum to its highest use. · · Auburn * More Than You Imagined 6-15 CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON Leisure and Educational Programs A wide range of recreation programs, including instruction in arts and crafts, dance, music, health and fitness, and special events are offered through the Auburn Parks and Recreation Department. Classes and programs are provided for children, youth, adults, seniors, and for people with special needs. Recreation programs fluctuate based on community interest and availability of instructors and facilities. . Existing leisure and educational programming falls into six categories: · Preschool Programs · Youth Programs · Teen Programs · Adult Programs · Senior Programs · Specialized Recreation Programs Survey Results Although the City is now providing programs covering many areas of interest, the public opinion survey is useful in determining where additional efforts should be placed. Survey results show these preferences for other offerings if the recreation program is expanded or modified: . 30% Running or walking 23% Visiting nature areas 19% Adult fitness/aerobics 19% Youth Sports 13% Adult Classes 11 % Bicycling 10% Senior Citizen Programs 9% Adult sports 5% Youth Classes Preschool Programs, Ages 1-5 Preschool programs provide classes in movement, crafts, sports, and innovative holiday activities. The availability of facilities affects which classes are offered. Most classes are offered at Les Gove Park's Multi-purpose Building, as are many other events. This is inconvenient for preschool programs, because it means the room, supplies and materials must be continually set up and taken down, in order not to interfere with other uses. Movement classes such as ballet and gymnastics are held at the Parks and Recreation Administration Building or the Senior Activity Center. These locations are not well-suited to these activities, as they do not provide the mirrors, . bars, and other equipment or settings needed for effective learning. 6-16 PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN · Preschool Programs Needs/Recommendations: 1. Classroom Designed for Preschool Use Retaining preschool staff from year to year is a recurring difficulty; most remain with the Parks Department for less than a year. One cause of this seems to be the constant setting up and dismantling of the room is discouraging to instructors who feel their time is not being used effectively. A room devoted to preschoolers is needed, both for the space it provides, and the continuity in programming and staff it would engender. 2. Additional Activity Space In addition to a preschool classroom, this age group would also benefit from the other classrooms, exercise rooms and small performance space found in a community center type setting. This would eliminate the need to hold these activities in inappropriate settings, which are also prone to scheduling conflicts. · Youth Programs, Ages 5-10 Youth programs consist of arts and crafts, gymnastics, dance, sports, acting, music, science, and social and personal skills. Summer activities include a day camp with a different emphasis each week, and Awesome Auburn Activities, which meets three times a week, with food, crafts and games for 4 to 6 year olds and 7 to 10 year olds averaging 40 children per session. Most recreation programs are currently directed toward youth 10 years old and under. Youth Programs Needs/Recommendations: 1. Classroom Designed for Youth Use Retaining youth staff from year to year is a recurring difficulty; most remain with the Parks Department for less than a year. One cause of this seems to be the constant setting up and dismantling of the room is discouraging to instructors who feel their time is not being used effectively. A room devoted to youth is needed, both for the space it provides, and the continuity in programming and staff it would engender. 2. Additional Activity Space In addition to a youth classroom, this age group would also benefit from the other classrooms, exercise rooms and small performance space found in a community center type setting. This would eliminate the need to hold these activities in inappropriate settings, which are also prone to scheduling conflicts. · Auburn * More Than You Imagined 6-17 CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON Adult Programs All adult programs are available to persons 18 and above; some are available to those 14 years and above. Adult recreation offerings include classes and workshops in arts and crafts, fitness, dance, community education (such as dog obedience, financial management, self-defense), and the athletic programs described previously. . Instructors are selected based on their qualifications, and local interest in the programs they offer. Staff and student evaluations of instructors and courses help to maintain high quality course offerings. Certification in CPR and first aid is desirable for all instructors. This is especially important for fitness and athletic instructors. Fitness instructors are also certified through independent organizations. Most adult programs are held at the Senior Activity Center, the Parks and Recreation Administration Building, the Multi-purpose Building in Les Gove Park and School District buildings are used when necessary. However, senior programs have first priority at the Senior Activity Center, which limits the availability of this facility and the number of adult programs that can be offered during the day. A series of classes called "Generations Unite" is an attempt to reach new participants. The Senior . Center offers classes in the Generations Unite program to all adults, not just those qualified to participate in Senior programs. The benefit to those under 55 is the opportunity to take a daytime class at the Senior Center, while the reverse is true for persons over 55 who might like to take an evening class. This program has grown from 82 registrants in 1994 to 654 in 2003. Adult Program Needs/Recommendations: 1. Facility Space A shortage of facilities suitable for adult classes and athletic programs has been identified. Classroom space (including specialized rooms, such as for crafts or dance and exercise) and gymnasium space are especially needed. 2. Programming Survey results, as well as opinions expressed to Parks and Recreation staff, indicate a larger selection of community education programs is desired. Courses in personal computers, gardening, home decor, and a new series of classes devoted to personal wellness were identified needs. Some of these new course offerings have already been instituted. By keeping abreast of emerging recreational trends and areas of public interest, the Parks and Recreation Department can continue its tradition of offering a series of broad ranging and well- received classes and programs. By tracking trends and identifying areas of interest, program deficiencies can be identified and corrected. . 6-18 · · · PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN 3. Course Evaluation Course offerings should continue to be reviewed on a regular basis to evaluate the instructor's performance and suitability of the facility and program. Enrollment, opinion surveys and other means should continue to be used for evaluation purposes. Marketing & Community Events The Parks and Recreation Programs can reach and impact more citizens with a focused marketing approach by the division. As the public is increasingly savvy we must find ways to meet their needs and expectations. This includes updating the look and feel of our printed materials, increasing phone and Internet access and exploring new options to reach diverse populations. The department has had a long history of assisting and hosting large-scale community events. Connecting these events to the overall mission and vision of the department is vital. Veterans Day Observance is one of our most visible and popular community events, we will continue to dedicate resources and energy to this meaningful event. Kids Day is our other keystone event, kicking off our summer programming. We will continue to strive to tie this event to enrollment in one of our busiest programming seasons. Marketing &. Community Events Needs/Recommendations: 1. Additional points of access Allowing consumers to decide how they would like to register for our programs. Purchase software to allow citizens to register for classes online. 2. Update & Unify Marketing Materials Present the entire division in one graphic style. Allowing citizens "brand" recognition across programs. This can be accomplished through creating templates for printed, advertised and web-based communications. 3. Focused Community Events Continue to host high-quality, mission-based community events. Continue to offer financial and in-kind support to Community-based local events. Refine this process by instituting a formal process of request and review of City involvement. Auburn * More Than You Imagined 6-19 CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER The Senior Activity Center provides comprehensive programming for ages 55 and over in five primary service areas: · Recreation · Education · Support Services · Nutrition · Health The Center strives to offer a wide spectrum of programs, and achieves this involving both staff and senior citizens in decision-making. One of the big challenges of programming for this population is the wide span of ages - from 55 to 95+. The difference in interests, abilities and needs shifts dramatically in this forty-year range. Volunteers perform a tremendous amount of work with 16,000 to 18/000 hours of volunteer time logged in a 12-month period. A major staff responsibility is the training and supervision of volunteers. A current goal of the Senior Activity Center is to improve its ability to recruit newly retired participants in order to capitalize on their energy and their technical proficiencies, such as computer skills and to replace the longtime, aging volunteer corps. Senior Activity Center Services Programs and services provided by the Senior Activity Center include the following: Recreation programs include exercise and fitness activities, outdoor excursions and travel, hiking and card playing, social events such as movies and parties, games such as pool and horseshoes, and sports such as softball and volleyball. Educationalofferings change each month, but include arts and crafts, academic, computer, and fitness classes. Topics are as varied as driving, oil painting and current affairs. A senior computer lab is an addition, added with the move to the new facility. Health and Wellness Activities and Services are a major focus of the Center. The Center participates in the Senior Wellness Project with four components: Lifetime Fitness Exercise Program, Health Enhancement Program (HEP), Management of Chronic Conditions classes, and Peer Mentoring. An RN with HEP is on site one day per week to work with individuals on their personal health goals. Staff from other health agencies provide periodic health assessments, foot care, flu shots, blood pressure clinics, therapeutic massage, and medical information and referral. A group of seniors forms the "Wellness Team", which works on Center wellness projects 6-20 · · · PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN · and activities such as Wellness Coffee Hours. Volunteers are provided through SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefit Act) program to help seniors resolve questions about Medicare/Medicaid and seniors' rights. The Nutrition Program provided by Senior Services of Seattle/King County (SSS/KC) includes the federally funded nutrition project lunch Monday through Friday at the Senior Activity Center. SSS/KC also provides frozen Meals on Wheels. Volunteers deliver these meals to homebound seniors unable to prepare their own meals. Volunteers also deliver hot lunches on a temporary basis to seniors recovering from a hospital stay. A variety of nutrition education materials and lectures are routinely provided. Center volunteers also work to provide a monthly food pantry for which groceries are purchased in bulk, re-packaged by volunteers and sold at a good savings to seniors. Supportservicesinclude providing information on subjects such as Social Security, wills, health insurance, tax counseling. The Center works with the Humane Society in offering the senior pet food bank. The Senior Center receives many phone calls requesting information regarding needs for seniors, therefore, the Center serves as a key information and referral site for area services to the elderly. · Senior Center Needs/Recommendations: 1. Marketing The ability to better market the Senior Activity Center is integral to reaching more people. Young retirees may feel they are too young for the Center, creating one type of marketing challenge. On the other hand, communicating with the more frail, home-bound elderly must be accomplished with a different approach. The Center's many different programs and services are suitable for people of many different ages and interests. Additional funding for effective marketing to promote and inform residents of the Senior Center's offerings is necessary to move beyond current participation levels. 2. Senior Center Improvements Senior programs have been offered out of the new facility at 808 9th Street SE for just over three years. The added space has provided us with the opportunity to expand programs and services as well as to generate revenue through rental of meeting space and special event space. Current size should be adequate for the relatively near future. · Auburn * More Than You Imagined 6-21 CI1Y OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON . 3. Program Changes As mentioned previously, the larger Senior Activity Center space has provided us with the opportunity to expand programs and services. The Center, however, needs to begin looking beyond the next few years to address the changing needs of our aging population. We now see more instances of early retirement, increased lifespan, diversity in interests, diversity in financial resources, and more grandparents raising grandchildren. To meet these and other new demands, an analysis of both service planning and facility planning for the next 10 to 20 years should be undertaken. Expanded services in the areas of well ness, exercise and nutrition must be explored. Counseling and mental health services as well as expanded medical services must be considered. Transportation of seniors to Senior Center programs should be considered in future Senior Center planning, as should outreach services for the frail elderly and expanded adult day care services. Meeting the needs of minority elders in our growing ethnically diverse population must also be a focus. The possibility of more off-site programming would also be useful, as is exploring the Senior Center's role in city-wide human services discussions and senior housing projects. 4. Staff With the projected changes in the aging population and service needs mentioned as well as the projected need to increase rental revenues, there will be a corresponding need for additional staff. 4IÞ . 6-22 PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN · Specialized Recreation The Parks and Recreation Department offers social, educational and athletic opportunities for youth, teens and adults with special needs. A calendar of events published every two months, lists classes and outings such as dining and cooking, trips to places of interest within the region, life skills training, athletic training, and competitive events. The Young Generation Club is a program designed to meet the social and recreational needs for developmentally disabled and physically challenged persons, ages 18 and up. The Club meets once a week for dances, potlucks, game nights, trips, parties, and holiday dinners. The Youth & Teens program is oriented toward 8 to 17 year olds. Inclusionary programs offer opportunities for individuals both with and without disabilities to participate together. The focus is on similar abilities, not differences. Emphasis is on providing understanding, disability awareness, building active participation for all people and involving families. It would be a goal to implement additional programs that focus on collaboration, which embrace diversity, where people with and without disabilities live, learn and play together · Currently, the Parks and Recreation Department offers a Unified Sports program in the sports of Basketball, Volleyball, Rollerskating, Soccer, Track & Field, Cycling, Swimming and Softball. In these programs athletes and partners, those with and without developmental disabilities, participate on teams together. Cooperative efforts with the Auburn High School staff has resulted in partnered social programs. Programs partnered with the Community Lab at the AHS has produced mentorship and life skills programs. With a wheelchair accessible bus, the department is able to transport wheelchair users to and from events and programs. In addition, the department sponsors a wheelchair basketball dribble on wheels camp each year. · Specialized Recreation Needs/Recommendations: 1. Children with Special Needs Continued growth in inclusionary programs for children under 12 are encouraged. Although the schools have a good educational program for the developmentally disabled, there are few social or recreational outlets available for these children, with the exception of athletic events such as the Special Olympics, which are open to children 8 and above. Auburn * More Than You Imagined 6-23 CI1Y OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON · 2. Transportation Transportation to programs is an ongoing problem for many people in this population. Few participants are able to drive or own a car, thus public transportation becomes vital. Recreational classes are held at the Parks & Recreation Adm. Building, while athletic programs are held at Auburn High School, Cascade Middle School, Mt. Baker Middle School, the Auburn Valley YMCA Skate Connection, and Cascade Bowling Lanes. These programs occur primarily in the evenings and on weekends, when bus service is at its lowest level. Increased ACCESS Metro service and City of Auburn wheelchair-accessible bus has helped. Improved bus service, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and pedestrian and bike facilities are essential to serving this group of users. Ongoing input should be provided to the transportation planning process, to improve service to these locations. 3. Storage Incorporate safe storage for equipment especially for the bicycling programs. 4. Program Costs Financially, this group has extremely limited resources. The scholarship and fee waiver program is necessary for many of these residents to be able to participate. Maintaining the scholarship and fee waiver program and offering programs for children are priorities for this population. Continue to work with the Parents Connect and the Children's Home Society for additional grant funding. 5. Programming 5pace As programs grow, additional classroom space and gymnasium space is needed. 6. 5taffing Train part time staff to assist with inclusionary training and ongoing programs. 6-24 · · PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN · The Special Concerns for Teens Like communities around the country, Auburn is struggling with concerns for its young people and the challenges they face today. Recommendations for meeting these changes may include: · Provide better information to young people concerning existing youth programs and services · Make programs and services more accessible to youth · Develop a greater number of relevant and diverse opportunities for young people Following the recommendations of the Youth 2000 Task Force, a Teen Coordinator is on staff with the Parks and Recreation Department. Through an offering of diverse and challenging programs, some of the needs described above are being met. . Because 71 percent of our residents are below the age of 44/ there is a great need and special needs for recreation resources for teens. Another factor to consider in planning for teens is the large number of low-income families in Auburn. Nearly half of Auburn residents fall into the low or very low income categories. This means that many families with children find it very difficult to pay for recreational activities. An evaluation ofthe existing athletic and recreation programs reveals that 11 to 15 year-olds participate primarily in the athletic programs offered by the City. The introduction of a Teen Late Night program and Middle School Afterschool programs have given teens greater opportunities. The Auburn Youth Council provides teen leadership and server/earning opportunities. The Youth Council meets on a regular basis to plan service projects and fund raising events. Providing facilities and programs with a positive social or recreational environment is seen as key to counteracting some of the negative behaviors and activities occurring when teens "just hang out." Developing appealing programs for this age group may need to involve teens and be more creative in approach than for other ages. . Serving Teens Conclusions/Recommendations Auburn * More Than You Imagined 6-25 cm OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON 1. Improve Facilities Improve existing facilities and develop additional facilities to provide a variety of recreational, cultural and artistic opportunities for teens in the community. Recommended development of an indoor community center to house additional opportunities is recommended. Develop methods to evaluate recreation facilities and establish standards and criteria to improve existing facilities. 2. Assess Needs of Teens Assess the recreational, cultural and artistic needs of teens in the community on an ongoing basis to improve the accessibility and quality of programs, activities and classes offered to young people. · For teens, accessibility often boils down to the cost of programs, and the ability to get to them. Some teens from low and very low-income families (nearly half our population) may be deterred from participation due to the cost of programs. The Fee Waiver Program allows many low- income residents to attend recreation classes and programs. While the Fee Waiver Program helps, more flexibility may be needed for families in need who don't meet the United States Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Program Income guidelines. Teen Late Nights currently serve over 300 teens per month during the school year. In addition, consideration for providing more youth and teen oriented programs at no cost encourages greater participation. Improved public transportation and an improved pedestrian/bicycle network enables more teens to attend activities. Use a youth specific evaluation tool for activities, programs and classes. The Teen Coordinator is instrumental in seeing recreation opportunities offered by the City meet the many varied needs and interests of teens today. This may mean offering "non-traditional" activities not available at schools, ranging from rock or rap music performance to rock climbing. · 3. Increase Sports Programs Increase the quality and quantity of sports programs for teens to encourage greater participation. Unfortunately, outdoor facilities are already heavily used, and there is currently very little room for expansion of programs. A teen volleyball and teen soccer program has been added for this age group. 4. Outreach to '~t Risk" Teen Perform outreach activities bringing "at risk" teens into the recreational network during the elementary grades. This will establish a behavior of community and recreational involvement. S. Public Transportation Address transportation problems this age group has by coordinating public transportation improvements with the regional transportation planning process. · 6-26