AS CITY FACES 20, IT WANTS TO UPDATE MASTER PLAN COUNCIL LOOKS FOR FEEDBACK.

Byline: PATRICIA FARRELL AIDEM Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- Heading toward its 20th anniversary, the city of Santa Clarita is preparing to update its parks master plan to determine what residents want in the next decade.

The City Council agreed Tuesday night to pay RJM Design Group $182,000 to coordinate community meetings over the next several months to hear what residents want in terms of parks, recreation and open space.

``Our existing master plan was developed in '95,'' said Elena Galvez, a management analyst for the city Parks, Recreation and Community Development Department. Obviously, it's rather old, and our community has grown and changed significantly.''

The scope of the plan, due to be complete by early fall, is to inventory existing facilities and public programs, assess needs and propose improvements.

The city remains more than 600 acres short of its own goal of establishing 5acres of public parkland per 1,000 residents, Galvez said. It has, however, made significant strides since incorporating, adding more than 3,000 acres of parkland, city spokeswoman Gail Ortiz said.

The No. 1 priority for this year set by the city Parks Commission is a 12-court tennis center at Central Park. The courts would be lit, and the complex would include a center court with spectator seating.

Second is the 12-acre Discovery Park and Trail with streams and ponds. The design has been completed, but funding has not been identified.

The priority list also includes an amphitheater to stage special events and expansion of the city sports complex to add a new skate park, gymnasium, outdoor basketball courts, off-leash dog area and a BMX area.

The commission also envisions teen centers in each community of Santa Clarita and a youth baseball/softball complex to attract tournament play.

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