General Plan - Cultural & Recreational Element
INTRODUCTION
The Cultural and Recreational Element represents an important step in
the City's continuing efforts to enhance the public's ability and
opportunities to enjoy the arts and recreation in Pasadena. The Element
stresses the importance of the City forming a partnership with private
and other public entities which have resources that complement the arts
and recreation which are owned or controlled by the City itself. The
Element is intended to serve as a mechanism for integrating these
resources in order to provide better facilities and improved services
to the public related to the arts and recreation.
While some issues related to such efforts have been addressed in other
elements of the General Plan, this new element will provide the basic
framework for future planning in connection with these efforts and is
coordinated with other elements.
BACKGROUND
The following issues and problems relating to the arts and recreation
have been identified:
However, the following opportunities are present
- Lack of available land to expand facilities.
- The prospect of a reduction of funds available for the arts
and recreation in face of a growing demand by the public for access to
facilities and services which provide opportunities for the enjoyment
of the arts and recreation.
- Lack of coordination among providers, both public and
private, of facilities and services which relate to the arts and
recreation.
- Absence of a focal point in the City's organizational
structure for community input concerning the arts.
- The possibility that increased user fees may cause a
reduction in public use of facilities and services related to the arts
and recreation.
- Limited availability of adequately designed or located
facilities.
- Lack of demographic information and other information
concerning the public's use of facilities and its participation in
programs which relate to the arts and recreation in order to plan for
the optimum provision of such facilities and programs.
- The possible public perception that facilities and program
relating to the arts are a luxury.
- The possibility that the City needs to play a more active
role in supporting the arts.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1.0:
Provision of a wide range of recreational facilities and services as a
means of improving the quality of life for ail Pasadena residents.
Objectives:
1.1 Increased emphasis on the arts in planning for, and the provision
of recreational facilities and service.
1.2 Broadened participation by the community in the planning and
delivery of recreational services.
1.3 Encourage the expanded use of private resources and resources owned
or controlled by public entities other than the City which are suitable
for recreational purposes.
1.4 A systematic assessment of recreational facility needs and
preferences in recreational programming.
1.5 Optimum use of existing recreational facilities wherever possible.
1.6 Adequate financial support for recreational services.
- Many public, private and school facilities exist which have
potential for use and enjoyment by the public in connection with the
arts and recreation, if appropriate, joint use and cooperative
agreements are made.
- Increased exposure of the young to Pasadena's unique
cultural and recreational resources can serve to develop understanding
and appreciation of them and build future audiences and participants.
- Pasadena's extensive cultural and recreational resources
can be exploited to attract businesses and residents to the city.
- There is a growing awareness of the importance of the arts
and recreation as contributors to approving the quality of life.
- Pasadena's tradition of volunteerism is a valuable resource
to supplement limited financial resources in both recreation and in the
arts.
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES AND POLICIES
STRATEGY 100.0:
Expansion of cultural opportunities in recreational programming.
Policy:
101.0 The City shall seek to include a wide variety of quality cultural
activities in its recreation programs.
Programs:
101.1 Expanded arts-in-the-parks programs.
101.2 Cooperative arrangements for use of cultural resources outside
Pasadena.
101.3 Programs which would enable Pasadenans to participate in
activities that take into account and reflect the diversity of their
heritage and customs.
101.4 Cooperative educational cultural programs enlisting the aid of
public and private institutions.
101.5 Designation of a staff individual in the Community and Recreation
Services Department who would have the prime responsibility for
implementing activities related to recreational arts programming.
101.6 Utilization of local as well as imported talent for cultural
programs.
101.7 Establishment of a standing Sub-Committee of the Parks and
Recreation Commission to make recommendations on matters concerning
arts in recreation.
STRATEGY 200.0
Implementation of a continuing process for systematically assessing the
need for existing and additional recreational facilities and services
and evaluating quality of existing facilities and services.
Policy:
201.0 The planning and delivery of recreational services is to be
continuing process which takes into consideration the desires of the
public concerning such services and which reviews and evaluates the
success of, and continued need for, existing programs and the need for
new programs.
Programs:
201.1 Use of public hearings, preference surveys or other means to
determine the need for, and the public's views concerning the
desirability of, existing and proposed recreational facilities and
programs.
201.2 Use of census and other data to determine relevant demographic,
social and economic trends as they relate to planning for the provision
of recreational facilities and services.
201.3 Review and evaluation of existing City recreational facilities
and services to determine the numbers of persons who directly use or
benefit from the resources as a function of the cost of providing the
facilities and services and the extent to which they meet the
community’s recreational needs.
201.4 Identification of alternatives to existing recreational
facilities and services, as may be appropriate, including those
available in the private sector, which sector, can meet recreational
and cultural needs at a lower cost or with greater efficiency.
201.5 Identification of recreational resources which are presently not
being utilized, or are underutilized, for recreational purposes.
STRATEGY 300.0
To supplement City and private funding of recreational services with
new sources of revenue.
Policy:
301.0 The City shall pursue potential funding sources to support the
development, operation and maintenance of recreational facilities and
programs.
Programs:
301.1 Investigation of opportunities for raising fees or imposing fees
for programs which are currently free, where such fees, consistent with
applicable law, would not significantly preclude participation by lower
income groups.
301.2 Rendering of assistance to, and encouragement of, fund raising
activities for support of the City's recreational programs by private
persons, foundations and other private or public organizations.
301.3 Identification of Federal, State and other governmental sources
of funds for recreational purposes and the making of applications to
secure such funds.
STRATEGY 400.0
Greater use of all available resources for recreational purposes.
Policy:
401.0 The City shall actively seek the cooperation of private and other
public entities in order to maximize and improve the recreational
opportunities which are available to the public.
Programs:
401.1 Incentives which encourage recreational amenities in new
development.
401.2 Joint public and private fund raising efforts for recreational
purposes.
401.3 Encouragement of commercial recreation facilities which are
consistent with the overall recreation goals of the City.
401.4 Joint-use arrangements with the local or non-local institution,
organization or agency most suited to provide a specific facility or
service.
401.5 Contracting for services when they can be provided in a more
cost-effective manner and at an acceptable quality of service.
401.6 Use of neighborhood organizations and residents on a volunteer
basis and unemployed youth when reasonably possible in providing
recreational services.
401.7 Programs which give public recognition to volunteers and
philanthropic organizations which provide recreational facilities and
services which benefit the public.
401.8 Establishment of communication links between the providers of
cultural and recreational facilities and services.
401.9 Incentives for businesses and other organizations to donate or
lease land, equipment, staff or facilities to organizations which offer
recreational facilities or services the public.
401.10 Study the feasibility of requiring that new commercial
development within the City provide recreational facilities insofar as
such facilities are consistent with City zoning and subdivision
ordinances.
STRATEGY 500.0
Development of plans to derive optimum community benefit from all of
its available recreational assets.
Policy:
501.0 Priority effort is to be given to expanding the use of existing
facilities through improved publicity, programming and joint-use
arrangements.
Programs:
501.1 Cooperative arrangements between the City and private and other
public entities which would make it possible to use existing public and
private facilities for recreational purposes in addition to any other
purpose for which they may be intended.
501.2 Development of a long range master plan, including capital
improvement, program development and facility improvement
recommendations and financing.
501.3 Consider the feasibility and desirability of expanded hours of
use of existing facilities for recreational purposes.
501.4 Work with providers of public transportation to expand their
services to provide greater access by the public to recreational
facilities.
THE ARTS
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1.0:
Recognition of the performing and fine arts as a profession, separate
from recreational art programs, as essential to human needs and which
enhance the City's physical beauty and quality of life.
Objectives:
1.1 City commitment to its arts in cooperation with the private sector.
1.2 Encourage financial support for the arts.
1.3 Enhancement of Pasadena's position as a leader in the arts in
Southern California and its recognition nationally as a city devoted to
arts institutions of superior quality.
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES AND POLICIES
STRATEGY 100.0
Establishment of an organizational mechanism for advising the City on
matters concerning the arts.
Programs:
101.1 The City shall, from time to time, call upon a Mayor's Advisory
Committee or Committees to provide advice to the Board of Directors on
appropriate local and regional issues relating to the performing and
fine arts.
101.2 The Parks and Recreation Commission shall be responsible for
advising the Board of Directors with respect to recreational arts and
shall have at least two members who will represent the arts.
STRATEGY 200.0
To achieve greater use by the public of all available arts resources.
Policy:
201.0 The City shall encourage private persons and organizations and
other public entities to provide and support cultural activities,
directly and cooperatively with the City, which are of interest and
benefit to the public.
Programs:
201.1 incentives which encourage art in new developments.
201.2 incentives for businesses to donate or lease land, equipment,
staff or facilities to cultural organizations.
201.3 Temporary display and/or permanent installation of art in public
spaces.
201.4 A cooperative relationship between artists, the private sector,
arts institutions and other organizations in order to make existing
private and public facilities available for use in connection with the
arts, notwithstanding any other intended use.
201.5 Better communication between art institutions and organizations
with City decision-making bodies and agencies.
201.6 Expansion of the City's role as a supporter of the arts.
201.7 Assist in coordinating the activities of those who render
services related to the arts with the arts, needs and desires of the
community-at-large.
201.8 Public recognition of those who create and support the arts in
Pasadena, including institutions, organizations, businesses and
individuals.
201.9 Provisions for the arts and other cultural resources in new
commercial development within the City, insofar as such provision would
be consistent with the City's zoning and subdivision ordinances.
STRATEGY 300.0
To facilitate adequate financial support for the arts.
Policy:
301.0 The City shall pursue funding sources to assist in support of the
arts where such support would further the arts objectives of the City.
Programs:
301.1 Public and private fund raising efforts.
301.2 Explore the economical benefits that flow to the City through the
arts and ways to return a portion of those benefits to the community
through support of local arts institutions and organizations.
301.3 Assist in securing funds available for the arts from State and
Federal sources.
REFERENCES
Background Report-Cultural and Recreational Element of the Comprehensive
General Plan, Pasadena Planning & Community Development Department, November, 1982.