Abundant Urban Green Space and Recreation Areas

Definition: Includes recreation and green space within the city, including neighborhood and regional parks, common space, community gardens, bike and walking paths, linear and river parks, trees, and urban landscaping

• "Plant as many trees as possible: for shade, for oxygen, reduce heat. Trees are pleasant."
• "Create larger areas of ‘country' in the city. Keep Tucson's western feeling."
• "Neighborhood greens, parks, and gardens."
• "Clean up the city, get rid of visual blight."
• "Create more common areas of open, natural space for gathering, playing, congregating."
• "Improve aesthetics - public art and landscaping."
• "Keep developing parks and bike paths."

• City Attorney – reducing visual blight by prosecuting civil infractions such as junk vehicles, excess weeds, graffiti, and zoning and building code violations
• Planning – establishing urban green space and open space through implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and analyzing city-owned surplus property for possible open space preservation
• Parks and Recreation – providing numerous parks and recreation areas throughout the city, including golf courses
• Solid Waste Management – revegetating closed landfills for recreational use or open space use and working to protect the environment and keep our community clean by using environmental services inspectors
• Transportation – constructing bike and pedestrian pathways, working to incorporate recreational uses into flood control basins, and including public art in roadway projects
• Tucson Water – incorporating water recharge, wildlife habitat restoration, and recreational opportunities as part of the Multiple Benefit Water Projects

1. Ratio of urban open space to developed land The total acreage of parks, preserves, and natural desert space within the built parts of the city. This percentage summarizes the condition of access to recreational opportunities near home.

Source: Staff is researching the best way to collect and report the data for this Indicator.

Planning agencies should be able to develop this figure.

2. Cleanliness of the community Trained observers can assess the visual appeal of neighborhood streets, alleys, and sidewalks. Measuring clean streets sends the message to citizens that it is important to maintain their neighborhood.

Source: Trained observers in community organizations can help to collect this information.

3. Ratio of miles of quality pedestrian and bike paths to total lane miles of roads This indicator describes how well people can circulate throughout the community without reliance on cars. It focuses on urban paths and trails, rather than those in open desert areas. The Transportation Department keeps this data as part of its performance measures contained in the budget.

Ratio of miles of alternate mode opportunities to total lane miles of roads (4,000 miles)
	Sidewalks (600 miles) 1:7
	Bike lanes (275 miles) 1:15

4. Percentage of residences within half a mile of designated open space Proximity to open space is an important aspect of community livability in the desert. The number of people that can easily walk to a park, natural wash, or a community garden indicates how abundant our urban green space is. This can be measured using computer-aided mapping.

Source: GIS data: staff is researching the best way to collect and report the data for this Indicator.

What YOU can do:

• Enjoy public parks and recreation areas
• Utilize bike and walking paths
• Use natural desert landscaping for your yard
• Get involved with graffiti abatement
• Respect desert habitat and wildlife