SVRA Recreation Plan
Study Group for future SVRA Recreation and Activities
Star Valley Ranch Association
Long Range Planning Committee
Report with Recommendations
Table of contents
Study Group Process:
1. What is the study group
2. Group Members
3. Meeting Process
a. Getting Acquainted
b. Brainstorming of ideas
c. Clarification of ideas
d. Voting on Priorities
e. Listing results
f. Assigning planning stage to priorities
g. Final clarifications on items
Recommendations to Long Range Planning Committee
1. Formalize a Recreation Department/Program
2. Community Recreation Center
3. Neighborhood Parks
4. Community Pathway System
5. Cross-Country Ski Trails
Conclusion
Appendix
• Brainstorm List
• Matrix of Planning Priorities and Planning Stages
Star Valley Ranch Association
Long Range Planning Committee
Study Group for future SVRA Recreation and Activities
Summary Narrative
The Study Group on Future Recreation and Activities for Star Valley Ranch is a subgroup of the Long Range Planning Committee of the Star Valley Ranch Association. The study group has met regularly during June and July 2006 to explore needs and identify top priorities for future recreation use on the ranch. The eleven-member study group was made up of both full and part-time residents of Star Valley Ranch and represents diverse ages, genders and activity interests. To enhance the efforts of this group, members also reached out to get added input from others living on the Ranch. This report is a summary of their work and recommendations for the future. The report does not include considerations for the existing golf courses and programs.
Working through a nominal group process, the group identified areas for future recreation and activity implementation for the ranch. Each member of the committee was given the opportunity to share their ideas and dreams for future programs during a brainstorming session. All items were recorded and are included in the Appendix of this report. Group members then prioritized which items were most important and assigned a time range for possible future development. Planning stages were broken into three ranges – zero to 2 years, two to five years and five to ten years. From this process, the group recommends to the Long Range Planning Committee of Star Valley Range Association that the following items receive appropriate resources and priority in the future direction of Star Valley Ranch:
1. Formalize a Recreation Department/Program
2. Community Recreation Center
3. Neighborhood Parks
4. Community Pathway System
5. Cross-Country Ski Trails
The formalizing of a Recreation Department for Star Valley Ranch and the building of a Community Recreation Center are the items that the group recommends be moved forward for immediate planning and implementation by SVRA and the town of Star Valley Ranch. We would also hope that the Long Range Planning Committee would include in the overall planning, the inclusion of the other priority items in this report and would maintain consideration for the other items and programs listed in the Appendix.
The Study Group for Recreation and Activities
The Recreation and Activities Study Group is a sub-committee of the Long Range Planning Committee of the Star Valley Ranch Association. The purpose of this group is to explore and identify recreation and activity priorities for the long range planning of the Star Valley Ranch Association.
Study Group Members
The Study Group for Recreation and Activities is made up of eleven residents who live on Star Valley Ranch. Six members live year round on the ranch year round and the other five members live on the ranch part-time during the year. They represent a diversity of age, gender and activity interests. All members are committed to enhancing recreational activities and opportunities for all residents of Star Valley Ranch. Members include:
Mark Bukwenski John Daulton Sarah Day
John Diel Paula Diel Kelly Dunston
Lynsey Hose Diane Jones Rick Nelson
Carolyn Nelson Robert Palmquist
Rick Nelson served as the committee chairperson for the study group. Rick has a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from St. Catherine’s College.
Study Group Process and Meetings
The Study Group for Recreation and Activities met six times from June 8 to July 20, 2006. The process for their meetings and direction where as follows:
1. Get Acquainted – The first meeting together was a chance to get acquainted and to hear from John Daulton (member of the Star Valley Ranch Association Board of Directors and chairperson of the Long Range Planning Committee) who shared the purpose of the study group and expectations for the group. During this meeting, group members also had a chance to share their recreational experiences on Star Valley Ranch.
2. Brainstorming of ideas – During the next meeting, group members began by brainstorming all possible recreational activities or needs they felt important for Star Valley Ranch. Going from person to person, each member gave one idea that was recorded on flip chart paper. Members had a chance to briefly explain this idea and clarify if someone didn’t understand. This process continued until all possible ideas from the group were shared. During this process, no one was allowed to judge or criticize any idea that came up during the brainstorming.
3. Clarification of ideas – During the next meeting, group members had a chance to add any new ideas and to clarify any items on the brainstorm list. The overall brainstorm list is included in Appendix A of this report. From this list, several items that were closely related were combined into a single item or group. One item that was brought up by many was the idea of a recreation or community center. Under the Community Recreation Center item, many possible program ideas were included and listed under the Center.
4. Voting on Priorities – The next step of the process involved voting on priorities. Each group member was given a sheet of paper and pencil and directed to write down their top five priorities from the brainstorm list. It was agreed that if a member included the idea of a Community Recreation Center as one of the top five priorities, they also would include their top five program activities they felt should be included in the Community Recreation Center. Once all ballots were collected, the results were tabulated using the following point system:
• 1st Priority 5 Points
• 2nd Priority 4 Points
• 3rd Priority 3 Points
• 2nd Priority 2 Points
• 1st Priority 1 Point
5. Listing results – The Priorities for the Study Group on Recreation and Activities were as follows:
# of Votes
1 – Recreation/Community Center 34
2 – Neighborhood Parks/Green Space 19
3 – Walking/Jogging/Bike Path 12
4 – Cross-Country Ski 11
5 – Recreation Program Formalized 6
6 – Bridger-Teton Access & Programs 5
7 – Softball Fields 4
8 – Day Care Cooperative 3
9 – Bocce Ball 3
10 – Recreation Director/Coordinator 2
In addition, the priorities for the Recreation/Community Center were also tabulated and prioritized in order:
1 – Fitness/Exercise Area 29
2 – Multi-Purpose/Meeting Room Space 25
3 – Kitchen/Lounge 12
4 – Gymnasium 10
5 – Jogging/Walking Track 8
6 – Cultural Center 5
7 – Locker/Showers 5
8 – Day Care Center 2
9 – Indoor Climbing Wall 1
10 – Performance/Stage Area 1
6. Assigning planning stage to priorities – Once the priorities were identified, the top five items were assigned a possible timeline for planning and implementation. They were either placed in a 0-2 year range, a 2-5 year range or a 5-10 year range. Most items involved some planning and implementation steps in multiple stages.
7. Final clarifications on items – From this process, the group then made final clarifications to the top priorities and agreed to move the formalizing of a recreation program as the number one priority for the group, followed by the building of a Recreation/Community Center, Neighborhood Parks, Jogging/Walking/Biking Paths and Cross-Country Ski Trails. The final matrix for these areas, with planning stages is included in Appendix B.
Recommendations to Long Range Planning Committee
The following items are the top priorities for long range planning for the area of Recreation and Activities:
1. Formalize a Recreation Department/Program
A Star Valley Ranch Association Recreation Department would serve as the center for coordinating, planning and implementing of any of the short, medium and long-term objectives for recreation and activities. This would include the organizing of a planning/coordinating committee for Recreation, identifying activity needs, recruiting of volunteers and staffing, and development of future facilities and resources.
2. Community Recreation Center
The Recreation/Community Center would serve as a year-round facility for recreational, social and community activities. This would include facilities for fitness training and exercise, multipurpose classrooms and meeting space, kitchen and appropriate locker facilities. This also could include areas such as gymnasium and a pool.
3. Neighborhood Parks
Small Neighborhood Parks would be placed at various locations in Star Valley to serve the needs of residents who live further away from the Community Recreation Center. This would particularly serve the needs of families with small children, with playground space and picnic facilities.
4. Community Pathway System
The Community Pathway System would provide safe pathways around the ranch for walking, jogging and biking. This system of paths could also link up with plans for a great pathway system being developed for the greater Star Valley region and communities.
5. Cross-Country Ski Trails
A tracked cross-country ski trail system would provide physical outdoor recreation opportunities during the winter months. This system of trails could utilize the green spaces of the existing golf courses and the proposed community pathway system.
Conclusion
The Study Group for Long Range Planning of Recreation and Activity programs for the Star Valley Ranch Association spent many hours discussing, brainstorming and reaching a consensus on recreation needs for the future. We strongly encourage the Long Range Planning Committee to move forward our top priorities for the future, with particular emphasis on the formalizing of a Recreation Department and the building of a Community Recreation Center.
Appendix A
Star Valley Ranch Association
Long Range Planning - Recreation Study Group
Activity programs / facility areas
• Bocce Ball
• Softball Fields
• Frisbee Golf Course
• Cross Country Ski Trails
• Snow Shoe Trails
• Green Space / Regional Parks in various parts of ranch
• Dog Walking Park / Path
• Walk/Jog/Bike Path
• Skate Board Park
• Access to Bridger-Teton National Forest
o Information Boards, etc.
• Sponsored Hikes and Outdoor Experiences
• Regional Outdoor Adventures (Greater Yellowstone Region)
• Forest Service – Communication Link
• 4 Wheel ATV alternatives
• Stars/Telescope Program
• Recreation/Community Center
• Indoor Shooting Range
• Cultural Center
• Recreation Vehicles
• Recreation Director/Coordinator
• Senior Cooperative
• Daycare Cooperative
• Insurance Coverage for programs
• Recreation Program Formalized
• Air Rifle Range
• Recreation/Community Center
o Indoor Pool
o Fitness/Exercise Room
o Gymnasium
o Multi-purpose Room
o Indoor Climbing Wall
o Meeting Spaces
o Jogging / Walking Track
o Cultural Center
o Performance/Presentation Stage & Auditorium
o Aerobics Area
o Bowling
o Kitchen
o Day Care Center
o Lockers / Showers
o Sauna
o Hot Tub
o Telescopes
Appendix B-
Activities & Recreation Goals
Item/Project Short Term 0-2 Years Medium Term2-5 Years Long Term5-10 Years
Recreation Department / Program • Formalize Recreation Department for Association
• Develop Budget and Funding Plan
• Develop seasonal recreation/activity offerings for all age groups
• P.R. – Send out seasonal calendar and program catalog of activities
• Design, staff and implement programs • Recreation program based out of Community Center
• Full slate of seasonal recreation/activity options for Star Valley
• Hire Recreation Director/ Coordinator
Community/Recreation Center • I.D. Land
• Obtain Land
• P.R. Community / Recreation Center Plan
• Design Community/ Recreation Center • Construct Community Center
• Implement Program & Staffing of Center • Open Community Center
• Year-Round Facility use and programs
• Phase II facilities developed
Neighborhood Parks • I.D. Land
• Obtain Land
• P.R. Regional Park Plan
• Park Designs • Landscape parks and install equipment
• Parks opened • Functional regional parks throughout ranch
Community Paths – Walking/Jogging/Bike • I.D. Land
• Obtain Land
• P.R. Community Path Plan
• Work cooperatively to connect with Star Valley bike paths
• Design pathway system • Construct/Implement walking/jogging/bike paths
• Safety and Education program for Ranch residents • Continued development of Community Path system
Cross-Country Ski Trails • I.D. Land
• Design Tracked Trails
• P.R. Cross-Country Ski Plan
• Obtain Tracking equipment (snowmobile, tracker)
• Begin tracked cross-country trails
• I.D. Building space for Nordic Center • Expand trail system
• Implement Nordic Center Chalet
• Full program of tracking and maintenance of trail system & equipment
• Nordic Education Programs
• Host local cross-country ski events • Nordic Center – maintained tracked trail system, indoor Nordic lodge
• Local and Regional ski events
• Full range of instruction and programs
• Connect trail system to other valley trails and Bridger-Teton
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