(A) Numerous methods provide insight into what types of recreation facilities are most needed and desired by residents. These include requests by residents and groups, comparisons with national standards, types of existing and planned recreation programs and actual current use of facilities. An additional alternative would be to conduct a resident recreation survey, which may be a “mail-back” survey of either all households or a random sampling of residents.
(B) The best way to determine needs is to look at the actual amounts of use that different facilities receive, and how many requests for facilities that cannot be met. As new facilities develop, their amount of use should be monitored so that plans can be revised in response if needed. In addition, the distribution of recreation facilities is equally important.
(C) According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Tatamy Borough had 1,203 residents. It is forecasted by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission that in year 2030, the population will increase to 1,646.
(D) Based upon standards of the National Recreation and Park Administration (NRPA) a community should have between six and one-fourth and ten and one-half acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. Currently the borough has 14.5 acres of parkland, not including the Tatamy Trail. This is more than sufficient to meet current needs, according to the NRPA standard. To accommodate the borough’s forecasted population, according to the standard, the borough should have a total of 11 to 17.5 acres of parkland. It currently has sufficient parklands to satisfy the national standard through year 2020.
(E) The NRPA guidelines recommend the following for fields and courts:
Basketball courts | 1 per 5,000 residents |
Football/soccer fields | 1 per 20,000 residents |
Softball/baseball fields | 1 per 5,000 resident |
Tennis courts | 1 per 2,000 residents |
Volleyball courts | 1 per 5,000 residents |
(F) The borough inventory indicates that there are more than sufficient fields and courts, excluding tennis courts, to satisfy the national standard. However, the reality of the borough’s needs with respect to future organized athletic association and adult leagues and the like, indicates that additional fields may be needed in different parts of the borough. Future population statistics and programs will dictate the number of new fields and courts that may be needed in the future.
(Ord. passed 8-3-2015)