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September 14~ 1976
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Wentz and seconded by Mr. Elliott, the ordinance was adopted, and by the
<br />following vote:
<br />
<br /> Ayes: Barnes, Early, Elliott, Holley, Oast, Wentz, Davis
<br /> Nays: None
<br />
<br /> 75-521 - The City Manager presented the following reports concerning open space require-
<br />ments and recreation facilities for neighborhoods within the City of PortsmoUth:
<br />
<br /> "In spring, 1976, the City took an option On an approximate 8.5 acre tract of land in
<br />Cavalier Manor, at the southwest corner of Cavalier Boulevard and Greenwood Drive. Considera~
<br />tion of actual purchase of the land was deferred pending completion of the Parks and Recreatio!
<br />inventory of existing open space and recreational facilities within each of eighteen identifie(
<br />neighborhoods. Based on the findings of our study, I am recommending that the land not be
<br />purchased. I do recommend that the City Council authorize me to negotiate for the purchase
<br />of the remaining 2.2 acres within the existing recreational complex - bounded by Cavalier
<br />Boulevard, Greenwood Drive, Viking Street and Freedom Avenue.
<br />
<br /> In addition to the 2.2 acres, we will likely recommend that Freedom Avenue be closed
<br />between Cavalier Boulevard and Viking Street (.75 acres), thereby creating a contiguous 18.84
<br />acre City£8~ho~l recreational complex. This acreage does not include 4.6 acres of the school
<br />site which is not available recreational/open space. A proposed master plan will be available
<br />for Council review at the September 14 meeting.
<br />
<br /> In developing our recommendation, we considered the existing open space in Cavalier
<br />Manor as well as in the other seventeen defined communities. Equally relevant, we considered
<br />the total recreational communities existing or actually planned for each of the eighteen
<br />communities. And lastly, we considered the location of open space (playgrounds) within each
<br />community.
<br />
<br /> Based on a national standard of five acres per 1,000 residents, Cavalier Manor has a
<br />current deficiency of 24.7 percent (41.82 acres). Applying an identical standard to each
<br />community we find that Cavalier Manor ranks number 8 in terms of available open space per
<br />resident. With the proposed purchase of the 2.2 acres coupled with the street closure, Cavalie:
<br />Manor's deficiency would be reduced to 19.3 percent {44.79 acres), placing Cavalier Manor
<br />number 6. Communities with the highest deficiencies are Prentis Park ~1.2%), Brighton
<br />Southside ~2.$%), and Westhaven ~71.9%). Plans are being developed for a 14 acre Urban
<br />Green Core in Southside and a small playground is currently being purchased in Prentis Park.
<br />The other communities have deficiencies of less than 50 percent. Communities with no defi-
<br />ciencies are Academy Park (+77.8%), Mt. Hernon (+53.3%), Waterview (+21.7%), and North Church~
<br />land, excluding Churchland Park (1%) or including Churchland Park (+87%). Churchland Park
<br />was purchased under a federal/state grant as a city-wide park, and is expected to serve all
<br />residents. City Park is also a citywide park, and is not included within the community analysJ
<br />
<br /> In terms of total recreational facilities, Cavalier Manor ranks above the average neighbo~
<br />hood. Located within the Cavalier Manor community are three public playgrounds, two little
<br />league ballfields, a lighted baseballsoftball field, a football field, twenty basketball
<br />goals, a gymnasium, and a recreational center. Bids have been received for the construction
<br />of a community gymnasium, and we anticipate awarding a hid at the September 28 meeting.
<br />Within the next two weeks we will solicit bids for construction of six lighted tennis courts.
<br />Remodeling of the recreational center is planned, but may have to be delayed due to the bids
<br />received for construction of the gymnasium.
<br />
<br /> Lastly, we feel that as a shortlong range goal, open space (playgrounds) should be locatei
<br />strategically within each community. These play areas are primarily for smaller children,
<br />and should be within a short walking distance. Any future purchase of land in Cavalier Manor
<br />should be geared toward the southwestern part of the community, for which recreational oppor~.~
<br />tunity is least accessible.
<br />
<br /> We have given much consideration to the purchase of this land, and we recognize the
<br />need to acquire undeveloped land. However, we are not an affluent City, and based on what
<br />we perceive as greater recreational open space deficiencies in other communities, I cannot
<br />recommend the purchase of the 8.5 acre tract of land."
<br />
<br />"CAVALIER MANOR NEIGHBORHOOD
<br />CENSUS TRACT 127.01, 127.02
<br />
<br /> I. Population: 1975 - 11096.3 1985 - 12606.5
<br />II.- EXi~t~ng;F~ci~iti~e~:
<br />
<br />A. Waters Jr. High School 20.5 acres (14.55)
<br /> 1. 'Playground
<br /> 2. Ballfields (2) Little League
<br /> 3. Basketball (8)
<br /> 4. Gymnasium
<br />
<br />B. Cavalier Manor Recreation Center - 5.17 acres
<br /> (Proposed 8.14 acres)
<br /> 1. Swimming Pool
<br /> 2. Gymnasium
<br /> 3. Tennis Lighted (6)
<br />
<br />Cavalier Manor Elementary 15.3 acres (10.7)
<br />1. Basketball (4)
<br />2. Ballfield - Lighted Joint (Baseball-Softball)
<br />3. Football
<br />4. ?laxgroun~
<br />
<br />
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