Malibu Municipal Code § 2.4 Opportunities and Constraints

The preservation of open space is constrained by the rising property values and strong development pressures that cause rapid development. Rapid development may adversely affect the preservation of open space and visual resources, proceeding before adequate studies can be done.

Piecemeal development can contribute to the lack of a unified open space system in the Malibu area. Open space provided by individual developments tends to be small, and often does not relate to neighboring parks, trails, ridgelines, habitat linkages or other open space areas.

The National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) has set standards for the number, size, and type of parks and recreation facilities required to adequately serve a given community. By these standards, the City of Malibu is currently experiencing a shortage of such facilities. Future population growth will further increase recreational needs and impact the existing facilities.

In order to meet the future needs of Malibu residents, several types of recreational facilities, ranging from small tot lots and "vest pocket" parks to larger park facilities will be needed. Basic criteria for the provision of public parks and specialized recreation facilities are shown in Tables 2-3 and 2-4.

Neighborhood parks normally serve a neighborhood population within a one-quarter to one-half mile radius. Generally, these parks are set aside for passive recreation such as walking and relaxation. The park normally requires 5 to 15 acres; however, the size may vary depending on the size of the neighborhood and the proximity to a community park.

These constraints are balanced by numerous opportunities available to the City. Some of these opportunities include the availability of state and federal funds. In the past few years, voters have approved several bond issues for the acquisition of parks and recreational facilities. In addition, because large portions of the hillsides and mountains in and around the City have very steep slopes that are not suitable for development, many of these areas are potential candidates for future acquisitions. The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Mountain Restoration Trust, the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the National Park Service all have plans for future parkland acquisition. In addition, other parks may be developed through donations of land (such as the recent donation by Barbra Streisand of property to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy).

Community parks provide for a variety of active recreational opportunities such as outdoor organized sports and passive services for all age groups. Such activities normally require more space than a neighborhood park, and are typically designed to serve a population of 20,000 to 30,000. The suggested size requires an area of 15 to 20 acres with at least two thirds of the area developed for active recreation purposes. Beaches are not designated under this category.

The Land Use Element and Housing Element of this General Plan project a population of 14,254 and 6,220 dwelling units in the year 2010.

Table 2-3 CRITERIA FOR PROVISION OF PUBLIC PARKS AND PRIVATE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

Regional park facilities are provided by the Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy, Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department, the State of California Parks Department and the National Park Service.

(Source: National Recreation and Parks Association)

Table 2-4 STANDARDS FOR SPECIALIZED FACILITIES

(Source: National Recreation and Parks Association)

Based on the NRPA standards, and a 1990 Census-estimated population of 11,116, the City should have approximately 27.8 acres of neighborhood parks, 27.8 acres of community parks, and 222 acres of regional parks; based on the projected population of 14,254 in the year 2010, the City should have 35 acres of neighborhood parks, 35 acres of community parks, and 280 acres of regional parks. Currently, Malibu has 1,869.9 acres of dedicated open space, which is substantially more than is currently needed or projected to be needed. Many of these parks serve more than one function. Neighborhood park needs may be met by all of the parks, because all may be used for walking and relaxation. Malibu Bluffs Park is a regional park, but offers community park facilities. There are thousands of additional acres of county, state, and national parkland located outside City limits. Most of these parklands are within hiking distance, or accessible in minutes by car. These parklands are open to the public and are used regularly by Malibu residents. It can be assumed that these parklands could satisfy the regional park requirements for the City.

Deficiencies may be found in the distribution of developed recreational facilities. The City has only 15.2 acres of community park, the Malibu Community Center and part of Malibu Bluffs Park, resulting in a deficiency of about 12.6 acres of community parks. The remainder of the community is without easy access to these types of recreational facilities, except as residents they may access facilities common to their private residential communities or the private clubs to which they may belong. These needs may appropriately be met with Play Lots and Vest Pocket Parks throughout the community.

In addition to parkland requirements, there are NRPA standards for specialized facilities (see Table 2-4). Based on the current Malibu population, a minimum of two baseball fields, four softball diamonds or youth ball fields, six tennis courts, 22 basketball courts, one outdoor theater and one swimming pool should be provided by the City for its residents. The maximum range on Table 2-4 indicates the standard which should be met if the City population increases according to projections developed for the General Plan. Assuming the swimming pool at Malibu Middle/High School is repaired, the remaining current-to-projected needs include one swimming pool, four to six tennis courts, and four to 14 basketball courts. It may be argued that the auditorium at the Malibu Community Center serves community needs for theater space which if met by an outdoor theater would not conform to the City goal of reducing the community noise level.

Also, as noted in the NRPA standards, in smaller communities regional parks may serve the entire population. This is true for Malibu; however, the City is experiencing pressures related to privacy issues in parks for residents. Some of the pressures may be relieved by opening school playgrounds to the public, or by City acquisition of small parcels of vacant infill parcels to develop as small neighborhood pocket parks. There are many acres of vacant land available for small park facilities. Despite the lack of smaller local parks, the large number of regional parks does alleviate some of the pressures for outdoor activities. In addition, there are several acres of beach land located throughout the City that are used by the residents of the community and visitors as well.

Although the City's limited financial resources may restrict its ability to purchase land for open space preservation and parks and recreation needs, grants and state or federal funds may be available to the City. City funds are more likely to be spent first on high priority items, such as providing infrastructure and public services to residents. In addition to limited funds available for the purchase of land and facilities for park and recreation programs, rising park development and maintenance costs have curtailed parkland expansions in recent years. Even if parkland can be acquired, the costs of developing and operating the park facilities can be prohibitive.

Existing trails within the City limits may be a constraint to homeowners. Unmarked trails appear on private residential properties. Due to the proposed trail systems adoption prior to City incorporation, the system reflects the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and the National Park Service ideas and desires. There is a lack of cohesiveness with the trail system and the existing structures and property owners in Malibu. A revised trail map reflecting the needs of the City along with other responsible and interested agencies should be created in the near future.

The proposed trail system, while providing the opportunity to link regional and local parks and cities, would also result in more foot and vehicular traffic through residential neighborhoods. Trails extending through or adjacent to private homes will reduce privacy for most affected homeowners. Hikers normally drive to Malibu and park before starting on the trails. Adequate parking facilities at trailheads should be provided.