THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 26, 1994 TAG: 9410260469
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
A new concept in outdoor planning that emphasizes passive recreation and uses greenways and trails to link scattered recreation areas was endorsed by the City Council on Tuesday night.
The council unanimously approved the city's first Outdoors Plan, which treats recreational resources and facilities as a system rather than a collection of individual parts.
While the plan offers some specific recommendations, it is intended as a framework and is subject to periodic review and change. It relies on community involvement to update the city's needs and desires.
``This is a neighborhood project,'' said Les Fenlon, president of the Council of Civic Organizations, who spoke in favor of the plan. ``Just about every neighborhood in the city is impacted by the plan.''
Central to the plan is the creation of a network of greenways and trails for walkers, bikers and horseback riders for both recreation and transportation. Greenways and trails also beautify an area, protect the environment and provide refuge for birds and other wildlife.
The plan seeks to meet a growing need for passive recreation, such as walking, canoeing and nature study.
The council on Tuesday also authorized the city staff to begin planning and design work on several priority projects, including renovating Mount Trashmore Park and developing parks at Pecan Gardens and West Neck Creek, improving canoe access to the Elizabeth and North Landing rivers, developing a trail from the Municipal Center to Pungo, and designing the city's first history park at the Frances Land House.
More than $1 million in grants have been received for some of these projects.
In addition to grants, the city will fund recreation projects through the Open Space Initiative Reserve Fund, which receives about $1.3 million a year from real estate tax revenues.
J. Barry Frankenfield, parks planner, estimates that $4 million would be needed to complete the first six years of the project. The city would contribute 60 percent, or $2.7 million, and the city hopes to get the remaining 40 percent in grants and in-kind services.
Councilman John D. Moss criticized the plan for being too vague about project details and land acquisition.
``I like the plan, but I'd like to further define where the $1.3 million will go every year,'' Moss said.
To that end, the council is requiring the staff to submit specific plans on how the money will be spent.
KEYWORDS: RECREATION AREA TRAIL VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL by CNB