VISION STATEMENT Aledo is a community with a rich heritage and dynamic future.

We will continue to be recognized as a community of excellence with solid family values, high-quality schools, a business-friendly atmosphere, and a strong sense of community that envisions sustainable growth, increases quality of life, and ensures a growing and vibrant local economy.

Perceptions of Safety

Property Values

Quality of Life

Pre Planning

Data Collection & Analysis

Apply Facilities Standards & Concepts

Project Prioritization & Implementation Guide

 Facilitate the vision of a community of excellence with a strong sense of community and high quality of life Incorporate the 2008 Safe Routes to School Plan Guide the future growth and development of the Parks and Recreation Department through 2023

Aledos Priority Parks Projects

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Trails-Safe Routes to School Renovation of Community Center Park Middle School Trail (to Community Center Park) Development of Elm Street/Brown Trail Park New Parkland Acquisition

Residents would like a place to gather for festivals and markets. A multi-use skate area, amphitheater, and historic depot museum were mentioned. Bathrooms and picnic areas were requested.

Residents would like a covered pavilion capable of increasing the parks popularity and charm. A looped nature trail and a trail connection to Aledo Middle School would make the park relevant to the community.

Residents would like this park to be developed into something beautiful, useful, and natural. A charming, historic gazebo; playground equipment; native plants and grasses; signage to commemorate the historic Brown Trail; benches for shoppers & visitors in the district; shade.

Residents would like this park to have shade. Other suggestions include: a walking trail, playground equipment for older children, a safer route and crosswalks to the park for children to visit it alone, and irrigation for trees. Bearcat used a lot when kids were young, until about age 10

Residents would like this park to stay natural and retain the mulched walking trails. In addition, picnic areas and a small playground were suggested. I use Mockingbird Park to explore nature: native plants and flowers, bugs and animals with my daughters.

Residents would like this park to be upgraded so that it can become a useful and enjoyable amenity in the neighborhood. a more family-friendly, neighborhood meeting place.

 Simple Diverse trail types Provides connections throughout the City Identifies locations for greenways and regional trails Includes all the Safe Routes to School Plans routes.

Questions?

Subdivision Ordinance
PARKS AND RECREATION ORDINANCE Chapter 46: Sections 1- 18 of the municipal code for Parks and Recreation should be completed as soon as possible. The online Municode online version is still incomplete. The Parks and Recreation Ordinance in Chapter 46 (B -2008-012, 1, 8-28-2008) of Municipal Code should include additional rules on trail use and maintenance. In addition, the ordinance should address the use of natural and conservation areas. PARKLAND DEDICATION Chapter 66 (sec 51 -58) of the Citys Community Facilities Policy, addresses several issues related to Parkland dedication. These aspects could be strengthened: Large, contiguous parcels should be dedicated during subdivision development. Parcels of land should not be too close to streets or hazardous terrain. New developments should have sidewalks that provide access to the main streets and greenways. Subdivision policy should also address the loop-and-lollipop street patterns commonly found in suburban housing developments.

Grant Resources

Possible Construction Cost Estimates

Possible Construction Cost Estimates

Possible Construction Cost Estimates

Value of Parks and Trails

How Cities use Parks for Economic Development
APA http://www.planning.org/cityparks/briefingpapers/economicdevelopment.htm

Economic Impacts of Protecting Rivers, Trails, and Greenway Corridors

National Park Service http://www.nps.gov/pwro/rtca/econ1.pdf

The Impact Of Parks And Open Spaces On Property Values

Texas A&M University http://www.cprs.org/membersonly/Winter07_PropertyValues.htm

Real Estate Impact Review of Parks and Recreation

Illinois Office of Parks Departments http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.ilparks.org/resource/resmgr/research_documents /research_era_real_estate.pdf