The County owns and manages a wide variety of parks, open spaces, golf courses, and trails. Many recreation opportunities also exist in the unincorporated area, including mountain hiking trails, bicycle paths, beach parks, golf courses, camp sites, equestrian facilities, access to the off-shore Channel Islands, and lakes. This section addresses open space for outdoor recreation, such as parks, areas of scenic and cultural value, trails, and other links between open spaces. In Ventura County, a large portion of federal and state open space lands are accessible to the public and provide several recreational resources such as beaches, trails, playgrounds, scenic vistas, and campgrounds. Public open spaces that provide recreation resources are important for maintaining a high quality of life in the county. The County parks system financially operates as an enterprise fund whereby operations and maintenance costs and expenses are offset through user fees.
Goal: PFS-10
To develop and maintain a comprehensive system of parklands and recreational facilities that meet the active and passive recreational needs of residents and visitors, as funding is available.
The County shall encourage the establishment of a countywide network of trails to meet the needs of equestrians, bicyclists, hikers, and other trail user groups.
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The County shall make public facilities, such as flood control channels and easements, available for recreational use, if feasible, safe, and appropriate for the site’s primary function.
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The County shall provide a full range of amenities at public parks and recreational facilities including playgrounds, restrooms, drinking fountains, trees and landscaping, outdoor furniture, trash cans, and lighting, to the maximum extent feasible.
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Parks and recreational facilities shall be located and designed to be accessible and inclusive for all users, to the maximum extent feasible.
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The County shall require discretionary development to provide new trails and/or parkland dedication, or equivalent in-lieu fees, based on a standard of five acres of local parkland per thousand population in accordance with the Quimby Act (Gov. Code, 66477) and County Quimby Ordinance (contained in Ventura County Subdivision Ordinance). Any lands dedicated to meeting this requirement shall be accessible to the general public.
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As part of subdivision development, the County shall encourage developers to set aside unused open space for active and passive recreational uses.
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The County shall require discretionary projects to provide funding for development, operation, and maintenance of park facilities appropriate to serve the needs of the project.
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The County shall require discretionary development near existing trails to mitigate or avoid adverse impacts to the existing trail system. Where appropriate, a condition of approval or other means of permanent dedicated trail access shall be provided.
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The County shall develop partnerships with, and encourage efforts by, service clubs, civic groups, and individuals wishing to provide recreational programs in the county.
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