People who care about the way city recreation programs and park facilities grow in the future can now view the draft blueprint online.

City officials last week made available online for public review the draft Park and Recreation Master Plan -- a document that evaluates the city's existing programs and services and sets visions of improvements for the next 10 years based on the community's needs and wants.

The document can be retrieved at www.ci.hanford.ca.us.

"Public input is extremely important," said Scott Yeager, city recreation director. "In fact, one of the tools we used to get input from the public was the phone survey. We used that technique because of the high level of accuracy and validity. We also got a lot of Spanish-speaking respondents that way as well."

Yeager hopes the added convenience will encourage more public participation in the process.

The 138-page draft document unveiled last month is the culmination of an eight-month process involving public comment and methodical analyses of the community's needs and wants for recreation. The document aims to help the city shape an updated vision of park and recreation goals and action plans.

Hanford is poised to begin updating its growth blueprint. The results of the recreation planning will be incorporated into that broader planning process.

At an Oct. 28 public meeting, a city-hired consultant presented the summary of study findings and ideas for new programs and services as well as recommendations for improvements.

The consultant concluded that while Hanford is doing a good job maintaining the quality of life as a regional hub, there is plenty of room for improvement. For example, the city falls short on the offering of tennis facilities, trail systems, playgrounds and picnic pavilions based on national standards.

Among the numerous recommendations: turning The Bastille into a teen center, cresting more walking trails and bike lanes connecting the city's park system and expanding programs that appeal to diverse interests of youth, such as rock climbing, water polo and paint ball as well as more arts and culture programs for the growing senior population.

But these are all sample recommendations.

That's why the city is seeking more from the public as they try to update the strategic vision. The city is accepting public comments until Nov. 18.

A final version of the master plan is scheduled to be presented to the City Council for approval on Dec. 1.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.

(Nov. 10, 2009)

To view and comment

--www.ci.hanford.ca.us

--All comments must be directed to City Recreation Director Scott Yeager via e-mail, syeager@ci.hanford.ca.us, or mailed to 321 N. Douty St., Suite B, Hanford.