Staff briefs plan commission on comprehensive outdoor recreation plan and park-acquisition map

Lindsay Smith presented an informational update on the city's comprehensive outdoor recreation plan to the Appleton City Plan Commission on Dec. 10. Smith said the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended the proposed plan to the common council and walked commissioners through the park-acquisition map and how it overlaps with community development and plan commission responsibilities.

Smith explained the recreation plan focuses on neighborhood parks and generally does not substitute for trails planning: "Within the plan, it did identify the existing, trail master plan map," she said, and added that trails are handled through a separate trails master plan. She also told commissioners staff is working with Parks and Public Works on a consolidated bike and pedestrian plan to create a uniform citywide plan for bike and pedestrian facilities.

In questions, a commissioner noted Apple Creek Trail did not appear in the recreation inventory; Smith said the recreation plan is not the driving document for trails and offered to follow up with specifics about why certain trails are or are not listed. Smith also described how subdivision review uses adopted long-range plans: when a long-range plan identifies a future park at or near a proposed development, staff consult Parks and Rec, confirm need and feasibility, and discuss land dedication versus payments-in-lieu with the developer. She said there is a calculation in the subdivision code to determine how many acres are required based on lots created.

The commission received the informational item; no formal action was taken at the meeting. The item will remain before the common council for formal adoption.