SCORP: Planner’s Tool Kit for Recreation
by Becky Kelley
 A great new resource - and grant money – helps planners ensure that their communities have safe, accessible and updated outdoor recreational facilities. SCORP, a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, outlines a clear vision for the future of recreation in Georgia and provides local communities with funding to make their vision a reality. Currently, there is $1.2 million available to local governments to implement the priorities outlined in SCORP. These priorities are to enhance the:
- Health and livability of all communities
- Local economic vitality
- Natural resource conservation
This funding is provided by the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and is administered through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The criteria for receiving grant dollars focuses on land acquisition projects, development projects and rehabilitation projects for outdoor recreation facilities.
The impact of outdoor recreation is more important now than ever before, especially as Georgia struggles with epidemic rates of obesity and vanishing greenspace. In addition, the value of recreation extends beyond improving our health and environment. Throughout the country communities are finding that outdoor recreation facilities also contribute to the local economy and even increase the value of adjacent real estate.
While these reasons for focusing on outdoor recreation are critical and compelling, it can be challenging for planners to establish (or rehabilitate) recreation facilities, particularly in communities where the population is exploding and becoming increasingly diverse. DNR recognizes the challenges faced by planners and provides the GIS data, technical support, and grant support (via LWCF) needed to successfully establish premier outdoor recreational facilities.
 SCORP highlights the critical importance of planning and as a result of the planning process, a grant application containing about a dozen questions on local planning efforts ranging from land-use planning and demography to management capacity has been developed. SCORP also recognizes that not every community has a planning department. Those in smaller and more rural areas are most likely to have issues with staffing and often these same communities have the fewest number of parks and the highest rates of obesity-related disease. DNR addresses these issues by dedicating a portion of the LWCF grant money to disadvantaged communities and structuring the grant application to ensure that these communities have an equal opportunity to receive this much-needed funding.
The Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division of DNR authored SCORP, administers the grant program and is available to answer questions and provide assistance. The SCORP document is being distributed to every planner, mayor and county commission chair in the state, along with hundreds of other recipients. The entire plan may be viewed and downloaded at the Division’s website at http://www.gastateparks.org/scorp/. Or, for more information call (404) 656-2770.
PLANNER'S TOOLBOX –
Community Greenspace Commissions
In recent years a number of local governments in Georgia have created a Community Greenspace Commission. This group is essentially a committee of citizens and related professionals who can build support for greenspace planning and acquisition activities in the city or county. The benefit of a Community Greenspace Commission is that citizens become involved in considering the appropriate locations for preserving land or acquiring conservations easements, etc. versus a planner being designated with this role.
The Greenspace Commission members can seek out new protection tools, assist with drafting maintenance procedures or other documents, meet with neighborhood leaders or otherwise supplement local government staff resources. A Greenspace Commission could not legally acquire land or take other official actions without the final approval of the local elected body. However, the Greenspace Commission can provide value in building community support, planning and advocating for protection. In Georgia, a state with substantial development pressures, this is a role that would benefit many cities and counties.
Planner’s Book Club
Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water by Marc Reisner.
Please reserve Monday, February 25, 2008 for our meeting date. This is the Monday after President's Day. Meeting time is 7 pm. Place is TBD. |
The Civil War sites are among the most important cultural resources in the County, and constitute a regional patrimony that should be maintained not only for their intrinsic historic value, but also for public enjoyment and tourism. In addition, many important sites are located on high, steep terrain that constitute significant scenic views, and are part of a watershed that provides much of the county’s drinking water. Since view and watershed protection are a high priority, the County, aided by North Georgia Regional Development Center staff successfully applied for participation in the State’s Community Greenspace Program in 2001. Since then, the County with RDC assistance negotiated the purchase of 625 acres on Rocky Face Ridge – a prominent ridge that parallels I-75. Following the initial land purchase, the County received additional land by donation. Thus far, the County has succeeded in protecting over 700 acres of battlefield land.