THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 7, 1994 TAG: 9408060107
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
While they agree that the ideas and philosophies in the city's proposed Outdoors Plan are commendable, outdoor enthusiasts question the lack of public participation in formulating the plan and the apparent rush to push it through City Council.
Upon hearing the criticism at its June 28 meeting, City Council requested more citizen input before taking action.
``We're in the process of revising it hysterically, no frantically,'' said J. Barry Frankenfield, parks and recreation planner.
The Outdoors Plan is the city's first attempt to treat recreational resources and facilities as a system rather than a collection of individual locations.
It emphasizes passive recreation and environmental protection by linking outdoor resources with greenways and trails. It also provides for scenic waterways, canoe access, preserving historical and cultural sites, developing additional parks and improving public beach access.
Two public hearings were held in the last two weeks, with a total attendance of about 125. The deadline for written comments was Friday.
The critics are not satisfied.
``We're basically saying this is a good idea,'' said Mary M. Heinricht, of the environmental committee of the Council of Civic Organizations. ``But are we rushing into adopting this just to check off another box on our list of things to do?''
Reba S. McClanan, a former city councilwoman, said, ``I don't really know what the urgency is. Isn't it more important to have sufficient input and be representative of what the city wants?''
McClanan would like to see the plan brought to individual neighborhoods impacted by it.
``It's obvious to me that it had not gone through the scrutiny of the neighborhoods where things are proposed,'' McClanan said.
For example, the plan called for improved public beach at Lesner Bridge, a site of numerous drownings because of dangerous current. The city staff has agreed to delete that from the plan.
The equestrian community accounted for about half of the audience at both public hearings, urging that horse trails be included in the plan. As a result, two potential horse trails were identified.
``I feel strongly that the city is not taking the horse industry and the horse population seriously enough,'' Paula Grimstead said.
The city staff says the criticisms are unwarranted, because there will be more opportunities for input. The plan, they say, even after adopted, should be considered an evolving document, or a framework, for recreation planning.
``Adoption of this is just starting the whole process,'' explained H. Clayton Bernick III, administrator of the city's Environmental Management Center.
``The plan is flexible enough to adapt to circumstances and to opportunities,'' said Susan D. Walston, parks and recreation director. ``It's an ongoing document that will need public input.''
By securing City Council approval for the plan now, Walston said, the city can proceed with some of the specific projects laid out in the plan, as federal funding has already been secured.
For example, $550,000 was received for a multi-use trail from Landstown Road to Pungo; $400,000 for a trail from the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts to 30th Street and the Oceanfront; $30,000 for canoe access and a nature trail along the Elizabeth River; $36,000 for canoe access and nature trail at West Neck Creek; and $160,000 for restoration of the Cape Henry Lighthouse.
City staff is now reviewing public comment and incorporating it into the plan. A final draft is scheduled to go before City Council on Aug. 23. by CNB