§ 68.500. Recreational Open Space.

(a)

Park Distribution and General Requirements. Public parks in Southeast Orlando can be divided into three categories. Community Parks provide facilities that serve the needs of greater Southeast Orlando, such as organized playing fields, swimming pools, amphitheaters, tennis and basketball complexes, and larger picnic areas. Neighborhood parks, by contrast, provide local centers of activity and recreation immediately accessible to residents, and include modest amenities such as tot-lots, small hard-surfaced courts, multi-purpose lawn areas, and informal natural settings. Village Greens and Plazas provide a place to focus civic activity at the center of town or a neighborhood. Park acreage should be distributed to provide adequate facilities throughout the community while emphasizing neighborhood recreation within walking distance of most residents.

(b)

Distribution of Parks.

1.

Distribution. To avoid extraordinary and potential debilitating demands on existing parks, new parks must be available to residents as they move into newly developed areas. To satisfy this requirement for new parks, all new development shall meet the following park dedication or cash in lieu of dedication requirements:

Figure 68-M

Park Type	Acreage (minimum to optimum)	Standard (acres per 1,000 population)	Unit Equivalent (acres per residential unit)
Village Greens and Plazas and Conservation/PCN	0.25 to 1 acre   n/a	1.2/1000	0.0027
Neighborhood Parks	2 to 6 acres	0.75/1000	0.0017
Community Parks	8 to 15 acres	1.3/1000	0.003
Total		3.25/1000	0.0074

 

2.

Level of Service. The City's current LOS standard of 3.25 acres/1,000 population shall be maintained in Southeast Orlando. At least 2.05 acres/1,000 population shall be in functional community and neighborhood parks. The remaining 1.2 acres/1,000 population may be made up of village greens and plazas, conservation buffers and the Primary Conservation Network if such areas are visually accessible by the general public (not private backyards).

(c)

Location of Parks.

1.

Greens and Plazas. At least one Green and/or Plaza should be provided within all Town, Village, Neighborhood and Residential Centers, unless served by a Neighborhood Park. Greens and Plazas should also be included in the mixed-use components in the Airport Support District-Medium Intensity.

2.

Neighborhood Parks. Neighborhood Parks should be distributed throughout neighborhoods, to allow a minimum of 60% of the residents to be within 1/3 to ¼ mile of a local park. Most users should not need to cross any arterial streets to get to the park. Where possible, Neighborhood Parks should be shared with elementary schools and should connect with the trail and greenway network.

3.

Community Parks. Sites for community parks should be distributed to allow each major area within the Southeast Orlando to be within bicycling or driving distance or an active recreation area. Where possible, link these sites and their facilities with the trail and greenway network.

(d)

Recommended Park Program. In general, park areas should include sufficient trees to provide shaded areas. Existing vegetation should be saved where appropriate.

1.

Greens and Plazas. Greens and Plazas should provide opportunities for public gathering, such as:

a.

multi-purpose lawn areas,

b.

tot lots,

c.

informal picnic areas,

d.

amphitheaters,

e.

raised stages and gazebos,

f.

larger hardscaped areas, and

g.

seating.

2.

Neighborhood Parks. Neighborhood Parks should provide modest and flexible recreation opportunities that meet basic neighborhood needs and accommodate multiple purposes. Recommended features include:

a.

multi-purpose lawn areas,

b.

tot lots,

c.

small court game areas,

d.

community gardens,

e.

informal picnic areas, and

f.

seating.

3.

Community Parks. Community Parks should contain features that serve the larger community. Recommended features include:

a.

multiple playing fields (suitable for organized play),

b.

multiple tennis and basketball courts,

c.

swimming centers, amphitheaters,

d.

group picnic areas,

e.

tot lots,

f.

storage, and

g.

off-street parking.

(e)

Park Design.

1.

Perimeter Frontage. Parks shall be surrounded by streets and/or building fronts, except where they are bound by woodlands, creeks, agricultural uses, or other significant open space features. In any event, at least 50% of a park's perimeter should front onto a public street. Under no circumstances may the edge of a park be formed by a rear yard fence unless such property consists of a linear park or trail with the facing edge being a natural system; surrounding buildings shall have entries and windows facing the park.

2.

Paths. Park paths should support direct connections from neighborhoods and surrounding commercial areas into parks. A fence should not prohibit access from neighborhoods into a park.

3.

Climatic Design. Parks should provide comfortable areas for sitting and recreation year-round. Parks should include adequately shaded areas for comfortable summer use and sun-exposed areas for comfortable winter use.

4.

Natural Features. Parks should be designed to conserve valuable natural features including creeks, significant habitats, woodlands, and existing heritage trees.

5.

Views. Vistas from surrounding streets that end in a park shall be encouraged. Loading and storage areas shall not occupy these vistas.

6.

Crime Prevention. All greens, plazas, parks and trails shall incorporate Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) concepts.

(Ord. of 5-10-1999, § 10, Doc. #32070)