2017 Spencer Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Spencer, Iowa  2017  Comprehensive Plan

Actively used parks and recreation land uses in Spencer occur on nearly 785 acres of land comprising 10.9% of the land area within the city limits. These numbers are slightly higher when compared to similar sized communities across northwest Iowa. Those uses that comprise the largest tracts of park and recreation land uses in Spencer consist of the 18-hole Spencer Municipal Golf Course and the 18- hole Spencer Golf & Country Club. The Spencer Soccerplex along with the adjoining Pederson Park athletic complex (baseball and softball fields) is another large tract of parks and recreation land use. Finally, there are 14 public parks and a comprehensive trail network consisting of more than 6 miles of off-street paved trails in Spencer, and more than 10 miles of off street and on street trails in Spencer. Several of these parks, including West Leach Park, East Leach Park, Riverside Park and Oneota Park (owned by Clay County Conservation) are all situated along the Little Sioux River corridor in Spencer and comprise a significant percentage of the park and recreation acreage in the community. City officials and community leaders need to remember that quality of life in Spencer is one of the most key factors in promoting community and economic growth. Considerations for parks and recreation space and facilities are an integral part of a community’s population and growth patterns. Parks, recreational amenities and natural resources are also reflected in the decisions of local businesses and industries to locate or expand in Spencer. Furthermore, residential development tends to gravitate towards park and recreational amenities. People desire to build dwellings on properties adjacent to a golf course, near neighborhood or community parks, and typically any type of water or natural resource area. These areas in the community are often highly sought after and usually some of the first to be built upon when a development or subdivision is platted with these park or recreational amenities. The appeal of parks and recreation opportunities, especially for youth in the community, is far too often overlooked as a key factor in economic and community development initiatives. Parks and recreational uses are typically one of the smaller land use categories relative to the amount of land acreage and percentage of land within a community. In Spencer, this trend is the contrary, which in this case is a good trend to have in the community. Spencer has done an excellent job of carefully planning and providing an adequate number of neighborhood parks and trails to provide recreational amenities within one-quarter mile of most residential properties in the city. Another facet of parks and recreation development which is not discussed as much is the private sector offering of such recreational services. In Spencer, the YMCA, Spencer Youth Baseball & Softball Association, and the Northwest Iowa Soccer Club offer many recreational opportunities for youth and adults alike. OBJECTIVE 7. Parks and recreational amenities and facilities are needed to provide Spencer with focal points where neighborhood recreation can occur. The city should continue efforts to improve and provide recreational opportunities for city residents through trails, parks and playground developments while ensuring existing facilities are adequately maintained. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS for parks and recreational uses to further identify the future needs for the community and those residents and visitors that regularly use the city’s recreational amenities include: Policy 7.a. – Plan for park and recreational improvements along the riverfront development and redevelopment of West and East Park Streets. These proposed park and recreational

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NW Iowa Planning & Development