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SYSTEM ANALYSIS
Table 5.1:County Comparison
This chapter will first review a series of industry
recognized parks and recreation standards SCORP County Comparisons
to help establish a baseline for the types of Acreage
services and facilities which are currently in Level Population Recommended Existing Surplus/
demand. It will then review the current facilities Local Acres Acres Deficiency
and programs offered within the Greencastle Putnam 37,436 749 1,486 737
Parks and Recreation Department and will help Greencastle 10,50e 210 134 -76
identify notable surpluses and deficits in the
local facility and programming offerings.
STATEWIDE COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR Putnam county currently exceeds the
RECREATION PLAN (SCORP) AS A COUNTY recommendations for acreage outlined in
STANDARD COMPARISON the SCORP with a surplus of 737 acres.
Additionally, Putnam County meets SCORP LOS
According to the 2016-2020 Statewide recommendations in all three categories defined
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan in the study (Local, Regional (State/Fed.), and
(SCORP), the top three reasons why residents Total)
participate in outdoor recreation are to be with
family and friends, physical health and mental However, the picture changes significantly when
health. The top five outdoor recreation activities looking at the amount of publicly accessible
that residents participated in more than once recreational land available within Greencastle.
per week include: Based on the SCORP county recommendation of
■ Walkin hiking o in and runnin 20 acres per 1,000 people, it should be providing
g, g' gg g' g 211 acres of public recreation areas and has
■ Gardening and landscaping
■ Relaxation and spiritual renewal current existing acreage of 134, leaving a local
II Bicycle Touring deficit of 76 acres.
■ Outdoor Pool Swimming or Water Park
It is important to note that the apparent deficit in
Indiana's SCORP Levelof Service(LOS)Guidelines Greencastle, based on SCORP recommendations,
recommend 20 acres of public recreation area is an important consideration because these
per every 1,000 residents within a local area such local facilities are where most resident's daily
as a county, township, city, or town. Public local recreational activities will likely occur due to
recreation areas are described as being owned proximity and time constraints.
by the township, municipality, county, and being
privately owned but open for public use. This
excludes all school as many schools do not allow
public access to their outdoor facilities. •
PLAN DEVELOPMENT
► 55
IMAGE
NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARKS PARK SYSTEM SIZE
ASSOCIATION (NRPA) AS A CITY STANDARD
COMPARISON The 2017 NRPA Agency Performance Review
offers park and recreation professionals valuable
The National Recreation and Parks Association benchmarks and insights to guide them in
(NRPA) is a non-profit advocacy organization evaluating how their agency is performing in
dedicated to the advancement of public parks, comparison to other agencies. This information
recreation, and conservation opportunities. is intended to help inform decisions on optimal
The NRPA periodically published research has service and facility offerings, and inform people
become a nationally recognized resource for of the range of possible expanded activities and
guidance and recommendations on parks and offerings from agencies throughout the nation.
recreation facilities and programs. According
to the 2017 NRPA Americans' Engagement with The key park facility findings from the 2017
Parks Survey, which is a national survey,the top Performance Review relevant to parks planning
three reasons why residents go to parks is to in Greencastle indicated that within agencies in
be with friends and family (61%),to exercise and jurisdictions serving less than 20,000 residents,
be physically active (56%), and to be closer to there is one park for every 1,331 residents.
nature (55%). These top 3 reasons also closely Likewise, the median amount of park land per
correlate with the Indiana SCORP findings. Other 1,000 residents for agencies in jurisdictions
notable reasons people go to parks,as indicated serving fewer than 20,000 residents is 10.5 acres.
in the NRPA publication included: Additionally,a typical park and recreation agency
■ Walkin o in bikin and hikin that manages or maintains trails for walking,
g' gg g' g' g hiking, running and/or biking currently has 10
(53%) miles of trails in its networks.
■ Visit a local swimming pool or aquatic
center, or playing a sport with family
and friends (33%) As previously discussed,the City of Greencastle's
■ Visit a local recreation/senior center current estimated population is 10,508 people.
(28%) Based on the NRPA benchmarks for typical
■ Have children participate in out-of- park quantity and size, Greencastle should have
school time programs (18%) approximately 8 parks totaling approximately
■ Take part in classes or other activities at 112 acres in the entire system. Greencastle's
a local recreation center (17%) park system currently posses 8 parks totaling
■ Participate in local sports leagues (16%) 133.8 acres. The current trail network in
Greencastle consists of 10 miles of trails. Table
5.2 provides a summary of Greencastle's park
land in comparison to various recommended
averages and a regional peer community.
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GREENCASTLE PARK AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN 4110
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INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PARK AND RECREATION Land's Center for City Park Excellence works to
FACILITIES make cities more successful by providing data
The 2017 Performance Review also offers insight for park professionals and planners on trends
into facilities offered by other park and recreation in urban park and recreation systems. The 2017
agencies and provides facility to persons ratios City Parks Facts metrics are generated by the
that are valuable in evaluating Greencastle's Trust for Public Land's ParkScore analysis and
existing facilities to determine overall surpluses evaluates how larger cities are meeting the need
for parks and recreation. Most notable from this
and deficiencies. Table 5.3, on the following
pages, identifies target park land and facility data is the average percentage of population that
inventories in Greencastle for 2017 and 2022. is within a 1/2 mite radius of public park land,
which is considered to be a walkable distance.
These target inventories are based strictly
on the NRPA information and Greencastle's According to TPL findings, 66 percent of people
in an urban environment live within 1/2 mile of a
population projections for the indicated year. public park facility. This is an important factor to
Greencastle's current system indicates both
surpluses and deficiencies when compared to consider since even a surplus of park land within
a community may go unused if it is not easily
NRPA recommendations. Most notably, some
surpluses identified were in totlots, basketball accessible by people on foot.
courts, and youth soccer fields. Deficiencies
in outdoor facilities included playgrounds, The previous map depicts all of the current park
volleyball, multi-purpose fields, teeball fields, facilities with a a quarter mile and half mile buffer
and outdoor ice rinks. As for indoor facilities, around each facility. These buffers represent
there are only deficiencies in this category as an approximate 10 minute and 15 minute walk
Greencastle currently has no publicly owned distance, respectively. Greencastle currently has
indoor facility to offer. 66.7% of the population living within a 1/2 mile
from a park facility. This is in line with national
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND (TPL) AS A averages front the TPL study but it still means
CITY STANDARD COMPARISON that nearly 34%of all Greencastle residents must
get in a car to enjoy a park. It is important that
The Trust for Public Land is a charitable these walk distances, especially the quarter-
organizationthatworkstocreate parksand protect mile distance, are factored into future decisions
land for people in an effort to ensure healthy relating to facility additions and expansions in
and livable communities. The Trust for Public Greencastle.
Ta.D e 5 2:NRPA and TPL Standards Comparisons
Park Greencastle Parkland as a Percent of Percentage of Percentage of Miles
Surplus/
Acres/1,000 Deficient in Percentage of Population with a Parkland that Parkland that of
residents(1) Acres City Area(2) 1/2 Mite of Park is Designed is Natural Trails
Local Median 20.0 -76 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
(SCORP)
National Median 10.5 +24 n/a n/a n/a n/a 10.0
(NRPA)
National Median 13.1 -4 9.3% 66.0% 45.0%
(TPL) 55.0% n/a
Indianapolis 13.4 n/a 5.1% 32.0% 44.0% 56.0% n/a
Greencastle 12.6 n/a 9.9% 64.7% 81.7% 18.3% 11.3
PLAN DEVELOPMENT
► 59
Table 5.3:Current Amenities and Target Ratios
Amenity NRPATarget Ratio(1) Current Inventory Current Ratio Unit
• • • 4100
Park System Size
Residents per park 1.00 park/1,331 residents 8.0 7.9 Parks • • • • •
Acres of Park Land 10.5 acres/1,000 residents 133.8 1.2 Acres
Miles of Trails 10 miles 11.3 1.1 Miles
Outdoor Facilities
Playgrounds 1 /3,633 residents 2.0 0.7 Ea. • • • • •
Totlots 1 /12,195 residents 3.0 3.5 Ea.
Basketball Courts 1 /7,080 residents 4.0 2.7 Ea.
Tennis Courts(outdoor only) 1 /4,375 residents 3.0 1.2 Ea.
Multiuse Courts-Basketball,Volleyball 1/15,250 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Diamond Fields:Baseball-Youth 1 /6,453 residents 3.0 1.8 Ea.
Diamond Fields:Baseball-Adult 1 /19,226 residents 1.0 1.8 Ea.
Diamond Fields:Softball-Youth 1 /8,500 residents 3.0 2.4 Ea.
Diamond Fields:Softball-Adult 1 /12,468 residents 2.0 2.4 Ea.
Diamond Fields:Tee-ball 1 /15,439 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Rectangular Fields:Multi-purpose 1 /12,468 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Rectangular Fields:Soccer Field-Youth 1 /6,199 residents 13.0 7.7 Ea.
Rectangular Fields:Soccer Field-Adult 1 /12,226 residents 1.0 1.2 Ea.
Rectangular Fields:Football Field 1 /26,250 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Rectangular Fields:Lacrosse 1 /27,332 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Rectangular Fields:Cricket 1 /147,500 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Rectangular fields:Field Hockey Field 1/20,340 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Multipurpose Synthetic Field 1/34,242 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea. '' .../
Overlay Field 1 /10,820 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Swimming Pools(outdoor only) ,.' .u't,. 1 /33,040 residents 1.0 3.1 Ea.
Ice Rink(outdoor only) a.,',' 1 /16,572 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Community Gardens % 1 /31,000 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Dog Park"' 1/42,500 residents 1.0 4.0 Ea.
Indoor Facilities
Recreation Centers 1 /27,591 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea. • • • • •
Gyms 1 /28,856 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Community Centers 1 /29,227 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Senior Centers 1 /48,822 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Fitness Centers 1/40,946 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Performance Amphitheater 1/48,000 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Nature Centers 1 /105,000 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Stadiums 1 /77,129 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Ice Rink 1 /30,642 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Teen Centers 1 /51,448 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Indoor Track *-" ' ' 'Kr 1 /50,667 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
Arena 1 /57,300 residents 0.0 0.0 Ea.
(1)Target ratio standards are from the 2017 NRPA Agency Performance Review
(2)Target inventory is calculated by multiplying the 2016 population of 10,508(based on U.S. Census Data)by the target ratio
(3)Target inventory is calculated by multiplying the 2023 projected population of 10,730 (based on U.S.Census Data)by the target ratio.
GREENCASTLE PARK AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN IIIII
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^ •
Table 5.3: Current Amenities and Target Ratios continued
00 , • •> Target Inventory 2017 Target Inventory 2022 2022 Surplus/Deficit
Data(2) Data(3) 2017 Surplus/Deficit(4) (5)
• • • •,
7.9 8.1 0.1 -0.1
110.3 112.7 23.5 21.1
10.0 10.0 1.3 1.3
• • • •>
2.9 3.0 -0.9 -1.0
0.9 0.9 2.1 2.1
1.5 1.5 2.5 2.5
2.4 2.5 0.6 0.5
0.7 0.7 -0.7 -0.7
1.6 1.7 1.4 1.3
0.5 0.6 0.5 0.4
1.2 1.3 1.8 1.7
0.8 0.9 1.2 1.1
0.7 0.7 -0.7 -0.7
0.8 0.9 -0.8 -0.9
1.7 1.7 11.3 11.3
0.9 0.9 0.1 0.1
0.4 0.4 -0.4 -0.4
0.4 0.4 -0.4 -0.4
e., 0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1
0.5 0.5 -0.5 -0.5
0.3 0.3 -0.3 -0.3
1.0 1.0 -1.0 -1.0
0.3 0.3 0.7 0.7
0.6 0.6 -0.6 -0.6
0.3 0.3 -0.3 -0.3
0.2 0.3 0.8 0.7
• • • •>
0.4 0.4 -0.4 -0.4
0.4 0.4 -0.4 -0.4
0.4 0.4 -0.4 -0.4
0.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.2
0.3 0.3 -0.3 -0.3
0.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.2
0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1
0.1 0.1 -0.1 -0.1
0.3 0.4 -0.3 -0.4
0.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.2
0.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.2
0.2 0.2 -0.2 -0.2
(4)Based on NRPA standards and U.S. Census Data for 2016
(5)Based on NRPA standards and U.S. Census Data for 2023
PLAN DEVELOPMENT
► 6I
PROGRAM ANALYSIS Figure 5.2:Spending chart
CURRENT TRENDS
According to the 2017 NRPA Agency Performance
Review, programming is a key outreach method = .5
that drives usage of park and recreation
facilities, and when these become associated Iii11i
with registration fees can lead to the largest tax
S >15(' .,25 ,i JC $S01->60 >751-j1.000 V ..
revenue source for most agencies. Programing SIJO(.,
is one of these trends and is a primary factor Rezideni Spend ir,g "`"
driving great park attendance.The public is less
likely to visit parks unless they are attending Based on the 2016-2022 SCORP
programs and fewer programs can equate to
reduced usage rates for parks, less community The 2017 Performance Review also identifies key
support and reduced budgets. programming activities offered by at least 60%
of parks and recreation agencies. These include:
Agencies serving a population less than 20,000 ■ Team sports (86%)
people typically hold 35 fee-based programs. 11 Fitness enhancement classes (80%)
Social equity also needs to be factored in II Health and wellness education (80%)
when deciding to hold fee-based programs. I Themed special events (72%)
Department financial needs and providing • Social recreation events (70%)
recreational opportunities for all residents ■ Safety training (69%) ILA
regardless of race, age or income must be I Aquatics (66%)
balanced.The 2016-2022 SCORP suggests using 0 Trips and tours (65%)
tactics such as sliding or income-based fee I Martial arts (62%)
scale,park prescriptions, and free park days.The ■ Performing arts (61%)
Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department Visual arts (61%)
has traditionally only charged fees at an amount
that covers extraordinary program expenses Agencies with less than 20,000 people typically
such as facilities or supplies. offered the following programs targeted
specifically for children, seniors, and people with
Figure 5.4 is based of the 2016-2022 SCORP disabilities
survey results on how much money residents Summer camp (70.9%)
were willing to spend per year on their favorite O Before school programs (16.2%)
outdoor recreation. Approximately 28% of I After school programs (41.1%)
respondents said they would spend less than Preschool (26.7%)
100 dollars per year, while 22% said they would I Full day care (2.1%)
spend 101-250 dollars per year and 19% percent I Specific teen programs (46.7%)
would spend 21-500 dollars per year. ■ Specific senior programs (68.2%)
I Programs for people with disabilities
(33.8%)
00
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GREENCASTLE PARK AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN
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KEY ANALYSIS TAKEAWAYS
The NRPA and TPL benchmarks, in addition to needs and programming needs. Indoor facilities
the SCORP guidelines help to form a complete were mentioned over 35 times in the comment
picture of the level of service the city should sections of the survey questions. To help
be providing for its' residents. This analysis alleviate this deficiency, the City of Greencastle
resulted in a number of observations and has established a working relationship with
recommendations which help to highlight the Parke County YMCA and is investigating
potential improvements and future direction the construction of a YMCA/community
for the park system. Below is a summary of the Center within Greencastle. Leading into 2018,
primary takeaways of this analysis. surveys, Memorandum of Understanding, land
assessments have been secured, and an offer
PARK SYSTEM has been made on a tract of land in hopes of
reserving it for a community center.
Based on national and local standards the
City of Greencastle is currently meeting the NATURAL PARKLAND
benchmark set by the NRPA but is not at the
level recommended by the SCORP or TPL. Based TPL averages for percentage of parkland that
on those standards, Greencastle has a park land is natural is 55%. Greencastle's current natural
deficiency ranging from 5.6 acres (TPL) to 79.1 parkland inventory includes Jaycee Park,
acres (SCORP). Parks per 2017 population is Calbert Way Park, and Ballard Family Park
right on target with 8 parks per 10,644 residents. making the total percentage 18.3% of natural
parkland. While Greencastle may be lacking in
OUTDOOR PARK FACILITIES naturalized parkland, survey results show that
many residents are traveling to the abundant
Based on NRPA national standards, Greencastle nearby nature preserves and state parks. Some
currently has a deficiency in most categories.The of these include DePauw Nature Preserve,
most significant categories are for an overlay field Turkey Run State Park, Lieber State Park,
(-1.0 facilities),multi-purpose field(-0.9 facilities), Raccoon State Park, and more. With so many
and playgrounds(-0.9 facilities).These amenities natural parks surrounding Greencastle, it might
would be beneficial additions. not be necessary to focus on adding naturalized
parks into the park system and to instead focus
INDOOR PARK FACILITIES resources on other areas of recreational need
within the community, such as indoor facilities.
Based on NRPA standards Greencastle is
currently deficient in all categories for indoor
facilities. These deficiencies in all categories
would justify a multi-use indoor facility such
as combining recreation center (-0.4 facilities),
gym (-0.4 facilities), and fitness center (-0.3
facilities). Indoor park facilities were also top
ranking by survey respondents for both facility
(1111
PLAN DEVELOPMENT
► 63
PROGRAMMING
Greencastle currently hosts a variety of programs
for the community. Programming includes youth
and adult programs,aquatic programs,arts-and-
crafts programs, and other community events.
When comparing the programs offered by
Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department
to national trends (NRPA), there are holes that
can be identified in the programming.
The biggest identified needs are in fitness
enhancement classes and health and wellness
education. While Greencastle's programming
does provide programs that support an active
lifestyle, such as team sports and walking/
running clubs, they do not have programs that
specifically provide fitness classes or health
and wellness education for the community.
in the public survey, fitness classes were the
third highest programming need desired by
respondents (52.3% of respondents).
Another large gap in Greencastle's programming
includes themed special events and social
recreation events. Greencastle does have some
events such as Parkfest and the annual Easter
Egg Hunt, but survey respondents (60.23% of
respondents) identified community events such
as festivals, 5k races, concerts, etc. as the top
programming need.
Lastly, indoor recreation opportunities ranked
as the second highest programming need by
survey respondents (56.82%). Not only did this
need come up in the programming needs but
also in the facility needs. Currently Greencastle
has no indoor facility to offer the community.
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GREENCASTLE PARK AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN
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