§ 25-279. Same—Goal 6: Provide abundant park, recreational and cultural facilities and access to natural recreational resources to satisfy the recreational needs of the residents of Jefferson Parish.

Objective 6.1: Provide community facilities according to need, population density, land use continuity, natural resource sustainability, compatibility with historic resources, user safety, and the optimum allocation of public funds.

Policy 6.1.1: Coordinate natural resource and historic resource protection efforts with future parish park, open space, and recreational land use opportunities.

Policy 6.1.2: Coordinate recreational facility development with the comprehensive plan, thereby ensuring that facilities and residential development occur concurrently.

Policy 6.1.3: Plan community facilities with the capability to serve multiple uses for multiple organizations (public or private).

Policy 6.1.4: Provide public facilities that are fully accessible to all residents and visitors.

Policy 6.1.5: Design and construct community facilities with sufficient flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of the community.

Objective 6.2: Develop a system of parks for active and passive recreation with a variety of user-oriented and resource-based facilities and recreational programs to serve the needs of current and future residents.

Policy 6.2.1: Maintain and enhance existing park facilities, secure additional land required to meet residents park and recreation needs as development occurs, and improve new park lands as demand for those facilities occurs and resources are available.

Policy 6.2.2: Encourage private developments to provide facilities meeting neighborhood parks and recreation needs when efficient and feasible. Such facilities may be publicly or privately owned and operated.

Policy 6.2.3: When improving the parish parkland, incorporate resource-based outdoor recreation facilities, such as bike trails along levees, nature trails, beaches and other access to open waters.

Policy 6.2.4: Foster programs that ensure parks and recreation facilities are available for arts, crafts, and special events and festivals that serve the public interest.

Policy 6.2.5: Provide recreational programs, where economically feasible, at parish owned parks and coordinate with the local municipalities, the private sector, school board and quasi-public agencies to ensure that available facilities and staff will provide adequate programs and services in a cost-effective manner.

Objective 6.3: Increase the facilities available for arts and cultural purposes in the parish.

Policy 6.3.1: Establish a comprehensive program for art in public places, which shall include the display of loaned and acquired art in and around public buildings.

Policy 6.3.2: Increase arts and cultural activities as part of the parks and recreation program commensurate with demand for such activities and using user fees to support such activities.

Policy 6.3.3: Foster public/private partnerships that provide arts and cultural programs for the population of Jefferson Parish.

Policy 6.3.4: Assist in the development of a cultural and performing arts center, including assistance with zoning, location, grants, partnerships, and financing options.

Objective 6.4: Evaluate opportunities for expanded recreational facilities and activities on existing public space.

Policy 6.4.1: Assess existing recreation facilities and activities and evaluate needs for new recreation facilities and programs.

Policy 6.4.2: Investigate the use of wetlands and vegetative communities under parish ownership for incorporation into resource-based parks.

Policy 6.4.3: Pursue all appropriate park and recreation grant programs to support public park and recreation lands, facilities and programs.

Policy 6.4.4: Pursue joint use agreements with the Jefferson Parish School Board for the use of school land for public park facilities and school facilities for public recreation programs.

Policy 6.4.5: Coordinate with local utility agencies and private property owners to identify sites feasible and appropriate for recreation purposes, such as use of easements and other lands for recreation trails or linear parks.

Comment: Most existing easements or servitudes are private agreements that do not allow access or recreational use. The intent of this policy is to make efficient use of publicly and privately owned lands where open space can be compatibly coordinated with new development.

Objective 6.5 : Develop guidelines to incorporate green space, recreational, and cultural opportunities and linkages in new development.

Policy 6.5.1 : Ensure that sidewalks and/or bicycle facilities are provided areas to park sites where feasible.

Policy 6.5.2: Address the provision of public and private resource based recreation space in developments in the parish zoning and subdivision regulations.

Policy 6.5.3: Preserve and enhance public gathering spaces within walking distance of residential neighborhoods. Encourage the inclusion of community spaces in new and redeveloped residential neighborhoods.

Policy 6.5.4: Provide for bicycle and pedestrian access to parks, recreational facilities, and cultural facilities and coordinate present and future sites with existing and planned transportation facilities.

Policy 6.5.5: Maintain and improve the existing recreation lands and encourage the dedication of properties for recreation uses through appropriate voluntary incentives.

Policy 6.5.6: Encourage open space set asides within or close to developed sites. Such open space should preserve the land's natural features and provide opportunities for the development of active or passive recreation facilities.

Objective 6.6: Incorporate a parks and recreation element into the comprehensive plan.

Policy 6.6.1: Involve all stakeholders in the creation of a parks and recreation element to guide and promote high-quality recreational opportunities within Jefferson Parish.

Policy 6.6.2: Provide the residents of Jefferson Parish with sufficient parkland and recreation facilities to satisfy their health, safety and welfare needs.

Policy 6.6.3: Amend the comprehensive plan as necessary to be consistent with the parks and recreation element.

(Ord. No. 21939, § 1, 8-6-03; Ord. No. 22997, § 1, 2-28-07; Ord. No. 24734 , § V, 4-30-14)