TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Brian Ambrose, Community Services Director
PREPARED BY: Lea Kolek, Parks and Community Service Manager
SUBJECT:
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Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update and Trails Master Plan
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RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Acting as the City Council, adopt the amendments to the General Plan based on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update; approve the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update, finding it consistent with the General Plan;
Acting as the City Council, approve the First Amendment to the agreement with RJM Design Group, Inc., for additional services totaling $30,875 for the Park & Recreation Master Plan and Trails Master Plan for a total contract amount not to exceed $509,840, in a form approved by the City Attorney;
Amend the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Capital Improvement Plan Budget to establish an additional appropriation of $11,500 from General Fund Capital (Fund 112) to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update CIP No. 22028;
Acting as the Board of Directors for the Community Services District, adopt the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update as the official guiding document for parks and recreation services, and approve the final version of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update for implementation;
Acting as the City Council, adopt the amendments to the General Plan based on the Trails Master Plan; approve the Trails Master Plan, finding it consistent with the General Plan; and
Acting as the Board of Directors for the Community Services District, adopt the Trails Master Plan as the official guiding document for trail services and improvements, and approve the final version of the Trails Master Plan for implementation.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On June 3, 2009, the Planning Commission approved the amendments to the General Plan based on the updates to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and found the document to be consistent with the General Plan (Vote: 3-0).
On June 16, 2009, the City Council, adopted Resolution No. 09-2306, approving the amendments to the General Plan based upon the revisions to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and finding the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update consistent with the General Plan, and acting as the Board of Directors for the Community Services District, adopted Resolution No. CSD 09-147 approving the final version of the updated Parks and Recreation Master Plan (Vote: 5-0).
On August 15, 2023, City Council, approved and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement to update the existing Parks and Recreation Master Plan and draft the City of Murrieta’s first Trails Master Plan with RJM Design Group, Inc. as follows: $209,570 for the update to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and $269,395 for the Trails Master Plan, and amended the Fiscal Year 2022/23 Capital Improvement Plan Budget (Vote: 5-0).
On April 17, 2025, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the final revisions to both the Park and Recreation Master Plan update and the new Trails Master Plan, and recommended adoption by City Council (Vote: 5-0).
On May 14, 2025, the Planning Commission approved the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update and the new Trails Master Plan and found both consistent with the General Plan (Vote: 4-0).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Coordinate and deliver responsive, effective community services.
BACKGROUND
The Community Services Department, in collaboration with RJM Design Group, has concluded a nearly two-year planning process to complete two (2) documents that will serve as the ultimate framework for the Department’s future: 1) a Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update, and 2) a Trails Master Plan. During this process, numerous activities have taken place, including conducting stakeholder interviews (including with the City Council), six (6) community input workshops, a multi-modal community survey, youth league surveys, trails monitoring, multiple site visits, and a community needs assessment.
The City of Murrieta (City) adopted its original Parks and Recreation Master Plan (Master Plan) in 1999, with an update conducted in 2009. At that time of the original Master Plan, the City had a population of 41,650 residents, no Community or Senior Center, 25 parks in its inventory, and approximately 600 acres of open space, streetscape, slopes, and parkland under its maintenance. Today, the City’s population has grown to over 115,000 residents. The Community Services Department now oversees a Community, Senior, and Youth Center; 53 parks; miles of trails; more than 22 annual events; numerous programs; and youth and adult sports activities, among other leisure offerings for all ages and abilities.
The purpose of a Parks and Recreation Master Plan is to serve as a guide and implementation tool for the management and development of parks and recreation facilities throughout the City. City staff will leverage the updated Master Plan, alongside the newly developed Trails Master Plan, to provide a robust framework for decision-makers in the planning and rehabilitation of the City’s parks, recreation facilities and activities, and trails. These documents will act as essential tools to establish park, facility, trail, and programming standards and will further provide a systematic and prioritized approach to the implementation of them. The completed Master Plan drafts comprise five (5) main components: (1) Inventory of Existing Conditions, (2) Community Engagement, (3) Needs Analysis, (4) Recommendations, and (5) Funding and Implementation.
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan includes capital improvements of over $65 million, including over $12 million in planned funded projects, $12 million in planned unfunded projects, and a balance of additional recommendations. In total, five (5) recommended key strategies are proposed outlined in Section 4 of the document:
1. Prioritize multi-use facility development to meet the diverse recreational demands;
2. Implement a comprehensive maintenance and upgrade plan to continue Murrieta’s high standards of quality and use satisfaction;
3. Create an integrated trail network that promotes active transportation and enhances outdoor recreation opportunities as recommended in the Trails Master Plan;
4. Design an aquatics facility that caters to diverse age groups and skill levels that promotes water safety; and
5. Develop an outreach campaign that leverages local partnerships and personalized communication to promote a diverse range of community events and programs.
The second document for review is the inaugural Trails Master Plan. This visionary document sets the stage for a more connected, accessible, and enjoyable trails network throughout Murrieta. These trails will provide safe spaces for walking, biking, enjoying nature, promoting healthy lifestyles, and fostering a sense of community. Additionally, the Trails Master Plan incorporates the Murrieta Creek Regional Trail Plan. Key recommendations outlined include:
1. Trail connections and additions;
2. Signage and wayfinding;
3. Trail classification and design standards;
4. Trail amenities;
5. Trail maintenance;
6. Traffic calming and improved visibility; and
7. Mapping and data management.
Taken together, the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update and the Trails Master Plans will set the stage for the future of the Community Services Department and provide guidance for growth and user experience. Each document provides for short-term, mid-term, and long-term planning.
FISCAL IMPACT
Completion of both the Parks and Recreation and Trails master plans required additional consulting services beyond what was originally anticipated. The combined value of these additional services for both projects is $30,875, which is the value of the total amendment to the agreement for additional services, for a total contract amount not to exceed $509,840.
To accommodate this, staff recommends an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Capital Improvement Plan Budget to establish an additional appropriation of $11,500 from General Fund Capital (Fund 112) to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update CIP No. 22028.
The Trails Master Plan CIP No. 10038 has sufficient funds to cover an additional sum of $19,375, for Consultant’s additional services.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update (Parts 1-2)
2. Parks and Recreation Master Plan Appendix (Parts 1-4)
3. Trails Master Plan (Parts 1-2)
4. Trails Master Plan Appendix (Parts 1-4)
5. First Amendment to the Agreement with RJM Design Group, Inc