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Level of Service <br />ALP currently manages four parks and two centers: <br />• Camp T.N. Spencer <br />• Frank Liske Park <br />Rob Wallace Park <br />• Vietnam Veterans Park <br />• Concord Senior Center <br />• Mt. Pleasant Senior Center <br />In addition to these, the department has several new <br />properties being developed. <br />The ALP system has well -maintained parks, updated <br />playgrounds, multiple sources of rental amenities, and <br />long-term partnerships; it is proactive in its acquisition <br />of land and offers a variety of recreation opportunities. <br />However, there is a need for improved ADA <br />accessibility, updating amenities, addressing erosion <br />issues, and expanding parks to underserved areas. <br />There is also a lack of dog parks within the County. <br />Cabarrus County currently provides 2.1 acres <br />of parkland per 1,000 residents. Future park <br />developments and those from other service <br />providers increases the level of service to 7.4 acres <br />per 1,000 residents. <br />Best practices in level of service include a comparison <br />of offerings to those found in the National Recreation <br />and Park Association (NRPA) Park Metrics. According <br />to comparable county systems, Cabarrus County is <br />currently below national standards of 10.2 acres of <br />parkland per 1,000 residents. <br />Based upon the NRPA population -per -facility data, the <br />County is also lacking in facilities such as playgrounds, <br />outdoor basketball courts, tennis courts, outdoor <br />swimming pools, community gardens, synthetic fields, <br />and skateparks. These facility needs are not being met <br />through other service providers within the County. <br />Active Living and Parks I Comprehensive Master Plan <br />Cabarrus County currently offers numerous greenways, <br />blueways, and trails to its residents; the County <br />exceeds the median of 31 miles of trails at the current <br />population level. Importantly, once the population <br />exceeds 250,000 residents, the median miles of trails <br />needed will increase to 88.5; the County and its current <br />other service providers will not meet that expectation <br />at the present service offering. <br />As Cabarrus County grows, the need for additional <br />parkland and facilities such as playgrounds, sports <br />courts, and swimming pools will be critical. Additional <br />trails and connectivity to parks should also continue <br />to be part of planning efforts, as well as providing <br />direct connections to larger trail systems, such as the <br />Carolina Thread Trail. The County should continue to <br />acquire land, address park service gaps —particularly in <br />underserved areas —and enhance recreational access <br />to help ensure high -quality services for residents and <br />visitors. Maintenance of existing parks should also <br />remain a priority, with efforts focused on updating <br />facilities and minimizing downtime during renovations. <br />The need for indoor community space has been <br />addressed and met at the County level with a focus on <br />senior populations. With planned new additions to the <br />Active Living facilities, Cabarrus County will exceed <br />national standards and be operating in line with the <br />County's initiative to provide recreation opportunities <br />for active senior living. <br />However, while senior populations greatly benefit <br />from this resource, it is important to consider the <br />entire community and their need for indoor recreation <br />opportunities as well. Currently, the need for recreation <br />centers and community centers for all population ages <br />within Cabarrus County is not being met at the County <br />level or when considering other local service providers. <br />Page153 <br />