EXHIBITS Page 143 <br />Among these agencies and districts, a wide variety of parks and recreation programs, <br />encompassing those previously mentioned, are provided for the residents they serve. <br />In addition, the park and recreation agencies and the metropolitan school districts have combined <br />their resources and coordinated efforts to provide open space and parks and recreation facilities <br />in conjunction with the schools. <br />Also, in recent years, private recreational facilities, such as swimming pools and tennis and <br />racquetball courts, have been developed. Several private golf courses have been in operation in <br />the community for a number of years. <br />Goal <br />Provide a variety of parks and recreation facilities to serve the diverse needs of the community's <br />citizens. <br />Findings and Policies <br />Findings <br />Increases in leisure time, income, transportation energy costs, and projected population <br />growth indicate that there will continue to be a significant demand for a diversity of park <br />and recreational opportunities in the metropolitan area. <br />2. Regardless of what standard is used, it is becoming increasingly difficult for local park <br />agencies to meet the demands and needs of the community for parks and recreation <br />facilities. The major problems include: <br />a. Areas developing without parks and recreation facilities available for the <br />residents. <br />b. Competition for limited available financial resources between the need to <br />purchase park land to meet future demands (before the land is no longer available) <br />and the need to develop existing park land to meet current demand. <br />Competition for limited financial resources to provide the diversity of parks and <br />recreational programs demanded by the community's citizens. <br />d. Land suitable and available for parks and recreation facilities often competes with <br />other land use activities and needs in the metropolitan area. <br />The level of service for parks and recreation facilities in the metropolitan area was last <br />evaluated in 1989. At that time, regional figures were compared to standards of the <br />National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). When compared to NRPA standards, <br />there was a gap between community needs for parks and open space and the available <br />supply of parkland. In 2003, the City of Eugene and Willamalane Park & Recreation <br />Laurel Ridge Record (Z 15-5) Page 706 <br />