Issue link: http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/774879
CHAPTER 5:ENGAGE Maintaining the High Quality of the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources System with a Changing and Growing Population Recent surveys have shown that Cary residents place a high value on the Town's parks and recrea on facili es, and that making improvements and/or renova ng exis ng facili es is a high priority. Due to the local trend showing an aging and culturally diversifying popula on, Cary will strive to enhance recrea onal opportuni es through programming (such as fitness, heritage, environmental educa on and science, technology, engineering and math educa on, and therapeu c and specialized recrea on for seniors) and the explora on of new facili es to meet the growing and changing recrea onal needs. A list of future challenges include: • Con nuing to maintain the high quality of the parks, recrea on, and cultural resources system. • Balancing parks and recrea on facili es within areas of popula on expansion, ensuring equitable access to programs, facili es, and resources. Increase the accessibility of exis ng and future facili es by considering neighborhood context and connec vity to transit, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure. • Being flexible and responsive to changing demographics, emerging trends, and evolving priori es. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES • Comple ng gaps within the Town's greenway system and connec ng to local and regional trail systems. • Strengthening the stewardship and management of natural and historical resources. • Considera on of addi onal sources of funding to assist with the comple on of capital projects including substan al naming rights and sponsorships as well as community/park founda ons. • Con nuing to incorporate environmentally sustainable solu ons into the parks and recrea on system – including facili es and opera ons. • Con nuing to collaborate with community partners including Wake County Public School System and other groups and organiza ons. • Con nuing to engage and grow our volunteer base. • Keeping up with technological changes as customer demand and expecta ons con nue to broaden. • Planning and acquisi on of land for new parks, trails and other community recrea on facili es in expanding areas, par cularly in the western and southern sec ons of the Town proper. 64 COUNCIL FINAL PUBLIC MEETING DRAFT [JAN. 24, 2017]