ATT 1 - Parks and Recreation Master Plan Final Draft - Part 2 of 2

3 Photo by the City of Murrieta Facebook
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Nature Parks
5 Min
Walk
10 Min
Walk
15 Min
Walk

1.1% of
population

5.7% of
population

11.0% of
population
1,320
people
6,821
people
13,154
people
Nature Parks Walking Radius
5 Minutes
10 Minutes
15 Minutes
Exhibit 3.4-6: Service Area Gap
Analysis for Nature Parks
City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 56 DRAFT
City-Wide Parks Walking Radius
5 Minutes
10 Minutes
15 Minutes
Community Parks Walking Radius
Neighborhood Parks Walking Radius
5 Minutes
5 Minutes
10 Minutes
10 Minutes
15 Minutes
15 Minutes
Nature Parks Walking Radius
Special Use Parks Walking Radius
Neighborhood Play Areas Walking Radius
5 Minutes
5 Minutes
5 Minutes
10 Minutes
10 Minutes
10 Minutes
15 Minutes
15 Minutes
15 Minutes
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

SECTION THREE: NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Exhibit 3.4-7:

Park Service Area Gap Analysis Map
#4#4
#3#3
#1#1
#9#9
#6#6
#5#5
#8#8
#7#7
#2#2
57 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
3 Considering all City parks, 67% of Murrieta residents live within a 15-minute walk of a park. It is important to consider that City-wide parks, community parks, and nature parks serve a larger area, 3-mile radius, due to the vehicle-centric design and programming in these parks. This analysis is further explored in section 3.5 local trends.

To analyze the distribution of existing City parks, a service area radius map is created for City-owned, City-wide parks, community parks, neighborhood parks, neighborhood play areas, special use parks, and nature parks (see exhibits 3.4-1 to 3.4-6). When areas zoned for residential use fall outside of these service area designations, they are

identified

underserved

neighborhood

“gap

area.”

The

City

has

excellent

coverage providing park space that is geographically distributed throughout the community.

There

are

however

some

gaps

identified

exhibit

3.4-7.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
Greer Ranch neighborhood community area including neighborhoods north of Clinton Keith Road (Bella Vista, Bel Flora, and Corta Belle) are in a gap area. These neighborhoods do have small developer parkettes with tot lots in this area. These parks offer little value beyond a playground experience for younger children.

The community east of Whitewood Road and south of Keller Road are in a gap area. There are currently no available parks in this area.

This area largely consists of rural homes on approximately 4-5 acres of land. There are no parks in this area. Granite Gate and Skyview Ridge are small neighborhood developments that sit north of Clinton Keith Road and east of the 215. These neighborhoods have small developer parkettes including playgrounds and community pool facilities.

This area sits well outside of any park radius. The homes in this area consist of large ranch

homes

ranging

from

2-5

acres.

Murrieta

Specific

Plan

309

large

part

this area.

This area consists of Rancho California, Murrieta Hot Springs (Warm Spring Knolls, Spring Knolls, and Golf Knolls) private communities. There are private community clubhouses, recreation facilities, and pools available to these residents.

This area west of Murrieta Creek to the foothills consists of large ranch homes on 2-5 acres of land. There are no public park facilities in this area.

This area consists of Tentative Tract Map (TTM) 38555 Vineyard Vista planned community development. When developed, public parks are included in the developer agreement.

Bear Creek, north of Clinton Keith Road is a private community. The community contains

pool,

recreation

center,

sport

courts,

and

golfing

amenities

that

satisfy

the

recreational needs of this community.

Recent high-density developments built and planned for in this area will rapidly outgrow the nearby available recreation facilities. This area will become a park deficit

community.

City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 58 DRAFT
Local Trends Analysis
When analyzing the local recreation trends
for the City of Murrieta, we begin with a
high-level analysis of visitation information
for City parks through the use of Unacast
visitation data for January to December
2023. The analysis of visitation data
provides valuable insights into the usage
patterns of the City’s parks. Understanding
the most visited parks, peak visitation times,
average length of stay, and park sphere
of

influence

can

guide

the

development

of maintenance strategies and recreation
programs to effectively meet community
needs. These insights are crucial for
making informed recreation development
recommendations and ensure the
continued satisfaction and well-being of
park visitors.
“Custom location data aims to
revolutionize efficient resource
allocation and optimized City
planning.”
-Unacast Success Stories Collection
Based on the average number of visitors for
2023, the top 5 most visited parks are:
•
California Oaks Sports Park* -
Average Visitors: 15,050
•
Los Alamos Hills Sports Park -
Average Visitors: 6,550
•
Firefighters Park -
Average Visitors: 4,500
•
Cole Canyon Park -

Average Visitors: 4,100
•
Copper Canyon Park -

Average Visitors: 3,500
*Annual visitation declined with the pool
closure, however average monthly levels of
attendance remained the same with visitation
shifting from summer months to winter months.

3.5 SECTION THREE: NEEDS ASSESSMENT The City’s parks are divided up into six park

classifications

including

City-wide

Parks, Community Parks, Neighborhood
Parks, Neighborhood Play Areas, Special
Use Parks, and Nature Parks. In reviewing
the visitor length of stay in a park, there
is a range of 12 minutes to 1.2 hours per
visit. In comparison, the average distance
people travel to visit the parks is 4.9 to 8.5
miles, there is evidence visitors generally
travel somewhat longer distances to visit
City-wide and community parks. Visitors
also tend to spend more time in City-
wide parks compared to all other parks.

Special use parks also attract visitors from
a relatively wide area, with moderate
to average visitation lengths. When
looking at the number of visitors per park,
community

parks

have

significantly

higher visitation rate than all other parks.

Youth Center Basketball
Photo by the City of Murrieta
59 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
3 City-Wide Parks

8.50 Miles

71.00 Minutes
6,550
People
Exhibit 3.5-1: Average Distance
Traveled for City-Wide Parks
Travel Distance - City-wide Parks
City of Murrieta - California0 2.5 51.25
Miles
Average Distance
Traveled
Average Visitation
Length
Average Visitors per
Week
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Community Parks

7.67 Miles

42.06 Minutes
35,434
People
Exhibit 3.5-2: Average Distance
Traveled for Community Parks
Travel Distance - Community Parks
City of Murrieta - California0 2.5 51.25
Miles
Average Distance
Traveled
Average Visitation
Length
Average Visitors per
Week
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 60 DRAFT
Neighborhood Play Areas
Average Distance
Traveled
Average Visitation
Length
Average Visitors per
Week

4.86 Miles

27.76 Minutes
19,227
People
Exhibit 3.5-4: Average Distance
Traveled for Neighborhood Play Areas
Travel Distance - Neighborhood Play Areas
City of Murrieta - California0 2.5 51.25
Miles
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

SECTION THREE: NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Neighborhood Parks

6.27 Miles

55.77 Minutes
21,236
People
Exhibit 3.5-3: Average Distance
Traveled for Neighborhood Parks
Travel Distance - Neighborhood Parks
City of Murrieta - California0 2.5 51.25
Miles
Average Distance
Traveled
Average Visitation
Length
Average Visitors per
Week
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

All rights reserved.
61 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
3 Exhibit 3.5-4: Average Distance
Traveled for Neighborhood Play Areas
Special Use Parks
Average Distance
Traveled
Average Visitation
Length
Average Visitors per
Week

5.50 Miles

61.63 Minutes
5,348
People
Exhibit 3.5-5: Average Distance
Traveled for Special Use Parks
Travel Distance - Special Use Parks
City of Murrieta - California0 2.5 51.25
Miles
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Nature Parks
Average Distance
Traveled
Average Visitation
Length
Average Visitors per
Week

5.67 Miles

12.50 Minutes
11,076
People
Exhibit 3.5-6: Average Distance
Traveled for Nature Parks
Travel Distance - Nature Parks
City of Murrieta - California0 2.5 51.25
Miles
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 62 DRAFT
Murrieta parks are not only popular among the City residents, but also attract regular visitors from up to 8.5 miles outside the City limits. The parks vary in size, location, quality of facilities, and events, which make them successful and appealing to a larger community.

The

increased

recreation

traffic

and

extended

community

influence

has

opportunities

generate

benefits

for

local

businesses

and

retailers.
•
Community Parks attract the highest number of visitors overall, suggesting they are popular for a wide range of activities and possibly offer more amenities. •
Saturday is the most popular day for park visitation, indicating weekends are peak times for park usage.
•
City-wide Parks and Special Use Parks see the longest average visit durations, which may be due to the wider variety of activities available. Notably, these park types also have the lowest number of weekly visitors.
•
Neighborhood Play Areas have a short average visitation time, likely due to their smaller size and more focused facilities. The same is true for Nature Parks. •
Visitors are willing to travel the furthest for City-wide Parks, indicating their unique or high-quality offerings that justify the travel distance.

If I Were a Princess Camp
Photo by the City of Murrieta
SECTION THREE: NEEDS ASSESSMENT
63 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
3 Exhibit 3.5-7: Average Distance
Traveled for All Parks
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 64 DRAFT
Custom Park Standards Calculations
A key element in any planning strategy is an understanding of the nature of “demand” for parks and recreation facilities. This report assesses the demand for recreation facilities by the participants of organized sports within Murrieta, and participation data from the statistically valid, multimodal community survey. Without this understanding, a policy can only be based on general standards of supply and demand, such as population ratios (acres per thousand population) or service area (distance to a park).

Such

standards

are

useful

guides

lacking

specific

detailed

planning

and

assessment.

A questionnaire was designed and distributed to the organized sports groups that use the City facilities. The questionnaire was distributed by the City staff and eight (8) sports organizations responded. The information regarding the number of players, size of teams, seasonality and turnover of facilities for both games and practice are used to better

define

peak

day

demand

and

convert

that

the

number

facilities

required

to meet the needs of this segment of the recreation market. The questionnaire addresses the percentage of the players in each organization that live within the City of

Murrieta.

This

varies

widely

type

sport

and

Murrieta

reflects

that

number

participants in certain sports reside outside of the City.

The Custom Park Standards Calculations (CPSCs) for the City of Murrieta are based on the 2023 Esri population level of 119,182 and participation data gathered in the Sports Organization Survey. The CPSCs provide an estimate of the number of facilities or ‘demand’ required to accommodate peak day demand in the context of the local design standards. The local facility design is based on the information received from the sports organizations identifying the number of players, team size, and facility turnover for each facility type. The CPSC Methodology is illustrated in Exhibit 3.6-1. “The 2024 NRPA Agency Performance Review does not present park and recreation “standards,” nor do the benchmarks represent any standards against which every individual park and recreation agency should measure itself. The reason for this is simple: there is not a single set of standards for parks and recreation because different agencies serve different communities that have unique needs, desires and challenges.

Agencies also have diverse funding mechanisms.”
- 2024 NRPA Agency Performance Review

3.6 SECTION THREE: NEEDS ASSESSMENT
65 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
3 To provide an additional comparison of the Murrieta Local Needs, a comparison of the 2023 NRPA Benchmark facility report is provided in Exhibit 3.6-2. The comparison illustrates how each city is unique in its recreation patterns. The City should not rely solely on benchmarking.

Exhibit 3.6-2 below uses the 2023 NRPA Benchmark data to compare with the City of Murrieta’s existing inventory. The NRPA National Standard is used to calculate the NRPA Facility Need for Murrieta using the City of Murrieta’s 2023 population of 119,182.

Exhibit 3.6-2 Local Needs vs.

NRPA Needs
Facility Local CPSC Facility
Need Ratio for All
Players
Local
Facility
Need
NRPA National
Standard
(100,000 to 250,000
population)
NRPA
Facility
Need
Baseball Field (youth)* 1/8,364 14.3 1/6,821 17.5
Basketball Court (indoor) 1/65,008 1.8 1/77,099 1.5
Football Field (youth)** 1/31,123 3.8 1/7,375 16.2
Soccer Field (youth)** 1/5,401 22.1 1/7,375 16.2
Softball Field (youth)* 1/35,755 3.3 1/6,821 17.5
*NRPA does not distinguish youth or adult baseball / softball “diamond” fields. **NRPA

does

not

distinguish

youth

adult

soccer

football

“rectangular”

fields.

Exhibit 3.6-1: CPSC Methodology for
Sports Organizations
City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 66 DRAFT
Baseball (youth) Summary: Basketball (indoor) Summary:

The following illustrations identify the
individual sports evaluated as part of the
local CPSC’s for Murrieta. Existing facilities
are compared to the local needs and
surplus

deficit

calculations

are

presented

for current (2023) as well as future (2033)
demand needs. It is important to note that
the needs in this section are based on
organized
sport data and does not take into
account additional unstructured recreation
desires (pickup games / non-organized
sports programs) by the community. When
assessing these needs, this information is
considered in the development of the
recommendations. Currently, based on the
CPSC’s, there is a need for indoor basketball
courts.

All

other

field

and

court

needs

are

being

fulfilled

through

surplus

adult

facilities

as well as joint use agreements. Without
available

school

facilities,

the

deficit

sport

facilities would not be met.

Total Facilities Available
Current Needs
Current

Surplus

Deficit
Future Needs
Future

Surplus

Deficit

7.0 14.3
-7.3

15.8 -8.8
Total Facilities Available
Current Needs
Current

Surplus

Deficit
Future Needs
Future

Surplus

Deficit

0.0 1.8
-1.8

2.0 -2.0
Softball Champions
The City has a need for 14 youth fields.

There

are

7 existing

City

youth

fields

well

2 youth

fields

available

schools.

The

remaining

deficit

5 fields

can

be supported by utilizing the surplus of
adult

softball

fields

available

adult

school

baseball

fields.

The City has a need for 2 indoor
basketball courts.

There are currently no City facilities
available to support this demand
creating

deficit

indoor

basketball

courts.

Photo by the City of Murrieta
SECTION THREE: NEEDS ASSESSMENT
67 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
3 Soccer (youth) Summary:

Softball (youth) Summary:

Football (youth) Summary:

Total Facilities Available
Current Needs
Current

Surplus

Deficit
Future Needs
Future

Surplus

Deficit

0.0 3.8
-3.8

4.3 -4.3
Total Facilities Available
Current Needs
Current

Surplus

Deficit
Future Needs
Future

Surplus

Deficit

9.0 22.1
-13.1

24.5 -15.5
Total Facilities Available
Current Needs
Current

Surplus

Deficit
Future Needs
Future

Surplus

Deficit

10.0 3.3

6.7 3.7

6.3 Mini Kickers
The City has a need for 3 softball fields.

There

are

10 existing

City

youth

fields

available

and

11 youth

fields

available

at schools.

The City has a surplus of youth softball
facilities that can be used to support
other

field

deficits

such

youth

baseball.

Additionally, there is 1 City adult
softball

field

and

17 school

adult

softball

fields

further

support

growth

of the sport.

The

City

has

need

for

4 youth

fields.

There

are

4 adult

football

fields

available in the City as well as 3 adult
fields

school

sites

that

are

used

support this need.

The

City

has

need

for

22 youth

fields.

There

are

9 existing

City

youth

fields

available

and

17 youth

fields

available

at school locations.

The need for soccer is largely
supported through school facilities.

Additionally, there are 2 City adult
soccer

fields

and

6 school

adult

soccer

fields

further

support

growth

the

sport.

Photo by the City of Murrieta
City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 68 DRAFT
Skateboarding Summary:

Community Center Summary:

Total Facilities Available*
Current Needs
Current

Surplus

Deficit

0.6 (6,000 SF)

1.3 (12,941 SF)
-0.7 (-6,941 SF)
Total Facilities Available*
Current Needs
Current

Surplus

Deficit

3.0 (10,982 SF)

2.3 (23,288 SF)

0.7 (-12,306 SF)
The Custom Park Standards Calculations
for community centers, skateboarding,
tennis, and pickleball are based on
the 2023 population level in the City
of Murrieta of 119,182. The per capita
participation is based on the information
received from the 2024 statistically valid,
multimodal community survey identifying
the annual participation for each facility
type. The facility need ratio for each
type of facility is calculated by dividing
the total population by the number of
facilities demanded. The City should
continue to evaluate growth or decline
in recreational activities when prioritizing
new development. Based on the
following participation calculations, there
is a need for additional tennis, skate park,
pickleball, and community center space.

While the City has several community buildings, there is limited space available in the facilities for community class programming. The total square feet available for community class programming (classroom type facilities) is approximately 10,982 square feet (SF). The total demand based on participation data available in the multimodal

survey

23,288

SF.

This

results

12,306

deficit

for

community

center

facilities.

The City of Murrieta acquired the concrete tilt-up Community Center, built in the late 1970s, in May 2001. Since then, it has undergone minor improvements, including ADA restroom upgrades, a wheelchair lift (2016), and a new roof and exterior paint (2021). With proper maintenance, such structures typically have a useful life of 50 to 100 years; however, the useful lifecycle of this structure is approaching the lower end of that range, and repair and remediation should be discussed and prioritized. The Alderwood Clubhouse, Youth Center, and Copper Canyon Recreation Room have approximately 14,000 SF of programmable space.

These additional facilities may support the demand for community center space; however, programming compatibility and facility location should be considered matching age, family, or senior programming with comparable facility types.

Murrieta has a demand of 1/52,712 compared to NRPA (100,000 to 250,000 population) 1/55,135.

A standard neighborhood skate park
is considered 10,000 square feet (SF).

The City has 0.6 of a skate park with a
demand for 1.3 (12,941 SF) skate park.

fulfill

this

demand

the

City

would

need an additional 6,941 SF skate
park similar to the size of the existing
California Oaks Skate Park.

Murrieta has a demand of 1/92,092
compared to NRPA (100,000 to
250,000 population) 1/105,567.

SECTION THREE: NEEDS ASSESSMENT
69 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
3 Pickleball Summary:Tennis Summary:

Total Facilities Available
Current Needs
Current

Surplus

Deficit

3.0 5.4
-2.4
Total Facilities Available
Current Needs
Current

Surplus

Deficit

4.0 6.4
-2.4
Murrieta Community Center
Photo by the City of Murrieta
The City has 2 dedicated tennis
courts and 1 overlay court available
to the community. There is a need for

5.4 courts

leaving

2.4 court

deficit.

This

deficit

may

impacted

further

by the overlay facility at Hunt Park.

Murrieta has a demand of 1/22,064
compared to NRPA (100,000 to
250,000 population) 1/8,731.

The City currently has 4 pickleball
courts available to the community.

There is a need for 6.4 courts leaving
a

2.4 court

deficit.

the

City

expands these facilities, consideration
should be given to grouping courts
together for larger group round robin
type play.

Murrieta has a demand of 1/18,619
compared to NRPA (100,000 to
250,000 population) 1/20,244.

City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 70 DRAFT
School Facilities
There are eleven (11) elementary schools, four (4) middle schools, three (3) high schools

the

Murrieta

Valley

Unified

School

District

(MVUSD).

MVUSD

also

operates

two (2) alternative schools: Murrieta Canyon Academy at Murrieta Valley High School and Murrieta Summit. The City has a joint use agreement with MVUSD that is renewed on an annual basis. The City can utilize the classrooms for programming at agreed upon

school

sites

and

the

utilize

the

sports

fields

the

schools

indicated

asterisk

on exhibit 3.7-1. In exchange, the schools can utilize agreed upon City parks adjacent to school property as well as the City’s recreation facilities. In 2024, the City entered into a new joint use agreement with the MVUSD for the use and programming of the swimming pool at Vista Murrieta High School for the 2024 summer/fall season.

There

are

three

(3)

private

schools

that

periodically

request

use

City

sports

fields

and

classroom space for youth programming and community events.

The City is dependent on the schools for many youth sports needs. There is increasing competition for available facilities and should be considered in future facility development.

3.7 SECTION THREE: NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Tutoring Program
Photo by the City of Murrieta
71 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
3 Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Exhibit 3.7-1:

School Facilities Map
*Part of joint use agreement with school district and City. *
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 72 DRAFT
Murrieta Boys and Girls Club
The Murrieta Boys & Girls Club provides a safe
and supportive environment for youth, offering
programs that promote academic success,
healthy lifestyles, and character development.

With a focus on empowering young people, the
club serves as a vital resource in the community,
helping children and teens reach their full
potential through mentorship, education, and
recreational activities.

Mulligan Family Fun Center
Mulligan Family Fun Center is a popular
destination for family entertainment in Murrieta,
offering a variety of activities like mini-golf, go-
karts, laser tag, and arcade games. It provides a
fun and engaging environment for people of all
ages. With its diverse attractions, Mulligan Family
Fun Center is a key part of Murrieta’s recreational
offerings.

Other Parks and Recreation Facilities Open to the Public Additional state, county, neighboring cities, and private recreation facilities exist in and around the City of Murrieta. Though not directly owned or controlled by the City, these facilities also provide recreation opportunities to the community. Such facilities are important to identify so not to duplicate City facilities in areas that may already be served through non-City owned recreational opportunities. The following are parks and facilities

that

have

been

identified

this

category:

Photo by https://www.bgcswc.org/locations
Photo by https://mulliganfun.com/play/at-
tractions/
Murrieta Valley Pony Baseball Complex
The Murrieta Valley Pony Baseball Complex is a
facility dedicated to youth baseball, providing
young

athletes

with

quality

fields

and

amenities

for practice and competition. It serves as a
central hub for the local baseball community,
offering a place where kids can develop their
skills, learn teamwork, and enjoy the sport.

Photo by Murrieta Valley Pony Baseball
Facebook

3.8 SECTION THREE: NEEDS ASSESSMENT
73 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
3 Murrieta Tennis Club
The Murrieta Tennis Club offers well-maintained
courts, professional coaching, and a variety of
programs, the club provides opportunities for
both recreational play and competitive training
for tennis enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. It serves as a hub for the local tennis community,
fostering a love for the sport in a welcoming and
active environment.

Murrieta Valley Golf Range
The Murrieta Valley Junior Golf Range provides
a supportive environment for learning and
improving skills. With tailored programs and
professional instruction, the range focuses on
fostering a love for golf among youth while
emphasizing the fundamentals of the game.

Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
The approximately 7,500-acre Santa Rosa
Plateau Ecological Reserve is a relatively
undisturbed area of oak woodland, chaparral,
and native grassland habitat and is a great
place to explore the outdoors and observe
wildlife. The conservation area plays a crucial
role in preserving the region’s natural heritage
and providing educational opportunities about
Southern California’s ecosystems.

Photo by http://www.distancetobetraveled.com/santa-ro-
sa-plateau-preserve--easy--information-sheet-1.html
Photo by http://murrietatennisclub.com/
about
Photo by https://www.yelp.com/biz/murrie-
ta-valley-golf-range-murrieta
Photo by https://rivcoparks.org/srp
City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 74 DRAFT
Photo by the City of Murrieta
75 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 4.1
Key Strategy #1: Prioritize multi-use facility development to meet the diverse recreational
demands.

Key Strategy #2:

Implement a comprehensive
maintenance and upgrade plan to
continue Murrieta’s high standards of
quality and user satisfaction.

Key Strategy #3:

Create an integrated trail network
that promotes active transportation
and enhances outdoor recreation
opportunities as recommended in the
Trails Master Plan.

Key Strategy #4:

Design an aquatic facility that caters to
diverse age groups and skill levels that
promotes water safety.

Key Strategy #5:

Develop an outreach campaign that
leverages local partnerships with
personalized communication to promote
a diverse range of community events
and programs.

The recommendations developed herein are founded in the desires and needs for recreation

opportunities

identified

the

Murrieta

community

outreach

conducted

part

this

Parks

and

Recreation

Master

Plan.

Specific

recommendations

are

broken

down

into

five

key

strategies

that

will

advance

the

development

parks

and

recreation for the entire community.

Key Strategies
Each of the following key strategies recommendations are designed to balance the equation of where existing recreation resources are and how they relate to the needs of the community.

SECTION FOUR:

RECOMMENDATIONS
City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 76 DRAFT
Existing Conditions:
• The sports field inventory at City parks
includes: 2 lighted adult baseball fields; 4
lighted and 3 unlit youth baseball fields; 2
unlit t-ball fields; 3 lighted (1 is synthetic turf)
and 1 unlit football fields; 1 lighted synthetic
turf adult soccer field and 1 adult soccer
overlay field at Shady Maple Park; 5 lighted
youth soccer fields, 2 unlit youth soccer
fields, and 2 youth soccer overlay fields at
Mapleton Park and Rancho Acacia Park; 1
lighted adult softball field; 1 lighted and 9
unlit youth softball fields.
•
According to local trends analysis, California
Oaks Sports Park and Los Alamos Hills Sports
Park have the highest annual attendance.
•
From the organized sports survey and custom
park standard calculations (on page 67-
70) the City currently has a need for an
additional 9 youth baseball fields, 4 youth
football fields, and 16 youth soccer fields.

Community Voice:
• Desires to add more sports fields were
recorded in the stakeholder interviews,
multimodal survey, workshop 3, and the
feedback comments.
•
Community desires included: “more
available fields,” “fields allocated,” “more
sports fields,” “increasing the available
fields,” and “not enough fields.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-1 illustrates the location of the
survey respondents that indicated a desire for
adding more sports fields.

Goal 1.1:
“Add More Sports Fields”
The City should increase sports fields,
addressing

facility

deficits

utilizing

alternative

fields,

expanding

the

Los

Alamos Hills Sports Park, improving
California Oaks Sports Park, and
collaborating with the school district.

Recommendations:
• Balance programming of fields with available
resources by playing youth games on larger
fields. This may include modifying base path
distance, outfield fencing, portable goal posts,
etc.
•
Continue to develop the Los Alamos Hills
Sports Park expansion. Emphasis should
be placed on multi-purpose fields that can
accommodate various overlays to minimize
turf maintenance and maximize sport
playability.
•
Improve lighting and bleachers at the
ballfields at California Oaks Sport Park.
•
Due to the significant dependence on school
facilities the City should look to develop
more sports fields to alleviate increasing
competition for resources.

Exhibit 4.1-1: Add More Sports Fields
Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Key Strategy #1: Prioritize multi-use facility
development to meet the diverse recreational
demands.

Multimodal Survey
Feedback Survey
Workshop #3
77 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Existing Conditions:
• The City has 2 dog parks at Alderwood
Park and Torrey Pines Park.

Community Voice:
• Dog park desires were recorded in the
multimodal survey, workshop 2, and
workshop 3.
•
Community desires included: “dog
areas,” “pet facilities,” and “dog park.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-2 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated
a desire for a dog park.

Goal 1.2:
“Dog Park”
The City should continue to develop a
new dog park at Glen Arbor Park with
modern amenities, while also equipping
parks with dog waste dispensers to
support the dog community.

Recommendations:
• The City should continue to develop a
new dog park at Glen Arbor Park. The
new facility should be developed to
include modern dog park amenities
and separate enclosures for large,
small, and individual dogs.
•
In continued efforts to support the
community, parks and trails should be
equipped with dog waste dispensers.

Exhibit 4.1-2: Dog Park Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Multimodal Survey
Workshop #2
Workshop #3
City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 78 DRAFT
Existing Conditions:
• There are 2 pickleball courts at
Alderwood Park; Court 1 is available for
rental. Court 2 is first come, first serve.

There are 2 pickleball courts at B Street
Station Park. Court 1 is available for
rental. Court 2 is first come, first serve.

The existing pickleball courts are not
lighted.
•
Local trends analysis found that highest
visitor traffic for the pickleball courts
at both parks occurs primarily on
weekday mornings from 7 AM to 9 AM.

Community Voice:
• Pickleball court, classes, or league
desires were recorded in the
stakeholder interviews, multimodal
survey, workshop 1, workshop 2, and
workshop 3.
•
Community desires included:
“pickleball courts,” “improve existing
pickleball courts,” “add lighting,”
“pickleball league,” “pickleball
lessons,” “pickleball tournaments,” and
“pickleball classes.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-3 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated
a desire for a pickleball court, classes,
or league.

Recommendations:
• Develop pickleball classes for
introduction and intermediate level
instruction.
•
The City should look to provide
structured round robin tournament
events to bring the pickleball
community together.
•
The City should develop additional
pickleball courts. As a best practice
the City should look at developing
courts in groupings of 4-8 (the size of
two tennis courts) to allow for flexibility
in developing lessons and hosting
tournament play.

Exhibit 4.1-3: Pickleball Courts,
Classes, or League Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Multimodal Survey
Workshop #1
Workshop #2
Workshop #3
Key Strategy #1: Prioritize multi-use facility
development to meet the diverse recreational
demands.

Goal 1.3:
“Pickleball Courts, Classes, or
Leagues”
The City should support the community’s
strong desire for enhanced pickleball
facilities, including courts, leagues,
lessons, and tournaments.
79 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Photo by https://www.facebook.com/murri-
etapickleball/photos
City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 80 DRAFT
Existing Conditions:
• The City’s parks, recreation facilities,
and trail maintenance is handled
through the Public Works Department.

Public Works and Parks & Recreation
are tied closely together. This means
any new infrastructure developed in
the recreation system will increase the
maintenance components (staffing,
funding, or contract labor increases).

Community Voice:
• Improve cleanliness desires were
recorded in the stakeholder interviews,
multimodal survey, workshop 1,
workshop 3, and the feedback
comments.
•
Community desires included: “improve
cleanliness,” “maintenance,” and
“facilities maintained.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-4 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated
a desire for improving the cleanliness.

Recommendations:
• Establish an “Adopt-A-Park” program
that would refill dog waste dispensers
and empty full trash cans as well as
monitor and remove trash from parks
and trails. This program can be paired
with park sponsorship opportunities
to offset the financial burden of
maintenance costs.
•
Develop park clean up days program
in concert with other community
events.
•
Continue to support Murrieta’s Adopt-
A-Trail Program.
•
Ensure that the cost of ongoing
landscape maintenance for new
facilities and capital projects is
accounted for during the planning
phase. Whether the project involves
developer-dedicated property or
is City-driven, incorporate budget
estimates for maintenance at each
review phase to support long-term
upkeep and sustainability.
•
See additional maintenance
recommendations in section 4.7 on
page 109.

Exhibit 4.1-4: Improve Cleanliness
Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Key Strategy #2: Implement a
comprehensive maintenance and upgrade plan
to continue Murrieta’s high standards of quality
and user satisfaction.

Multimodal Survey
Workshop #1
Workshop #3
Goal 2.1:
“Improve Cleanliness of Parks,
Facilities, and Trails”
The City should improve the cleanliness of
parks, facilities, and trails by establishing
an “Adopt-A-Park” program, organizing
park clean-up days, and continuing
support for the Adopt-A-Trail Program.
81 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Existing Conditions:
• The City of Murrieta operates its own
Police Department. Other cities in
Riverside County contract for police
services through County Sheriff’s
Department.
•
The City has a Park Ranger Program
with 3 park rangers on City staff.
•
According to a recent statistical report
from the financial website, 24/7 Wall
Street, the City of Murrieta is the 2nd
safest City in the United States.
•
Murrieta is ranked number 16 as the
safest cities in California, according to
the”California’s Safest Cities of 2024”
report (source: SafeWise).

Community Voice:
• Improve safety desires were recorded
in the multimodal survey, workshop 1,
and workshop 3.
•
Community desires included: “improve
safety,” “better security lighting,”
“cameras,” “patrol,” and “security.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-5 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated
a desire for improving safety.

Recommendations:
• Review park lighting and install
pedestrian security lighting to eliminate
dark areas within parks.
•
Increase waste removal efforts after
community events and in areas of high
park traffic.
•
Continue park ranger and graffiti
removal programs.
•
Consider security camera installations
in large parks.
•
Coordinate with ranger and police
programs to provide patrol routes in
park areas.
•
Park improvement projects as well as
new park facilities should be designed
to include Crime Prevention through
Environmental Design (CPTED) features.

Exhibit 4.1-5: Improve Safety
Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Multimodal Survey
Workshop #1
Workshop #3
Goal 2.2:
“Improve Safety”
The City should improve safety by
enhancing lighting, waste removal,
security measures, and incorporating
Crime Prevention Through Environmental
Design (CPTED) features in park projects.

NOTE: The Goal 2.2 recommendations have
been discussed with the Police Department to
ensure alignment with best practices in public
safety and to address community concerns
effectively.

City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 82 DRAFT
Existing Conditions:
• The City owns, controls, and maintains
fifty-three (53) parks encompassing
503.42 acres of developed and
undeveloped parks.
•
The City has five (5) recreation facilities
including the Community Center, Youth
Center, Senior Center, Alderwood Park
Clubhouse, and Copper Canyon Park
Recreation Center.

Community Voice:
• Modernize and upgrade all parks and
facilities desires were recorded in the
stakeholder interviews, multimodal
survey, workshop 1, and workshop 3.
•
Community desires included:
“upgrades,” “park maintenance,” and
“park renovations.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-6 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated
desires for modernizing and upgrading
all parks and facilities.

Recommendations:
• It is natural for facilities to show wear
over time and increased wear with
heavy use from the community.

Eventually, facilities will need to be
replaced. The City should consider
the demand for facilities prior to
replacement. It may be more
economical and a greater benefit to
the community to develop alternative
recreation elements.
•
The City should develop an equipment
life cycle analysis for the major park
components including playgrounds,
gazebos, benches, BBQ’s, sports courts,
fitness stations, etc. This will enable
the City to more accurately forecast
potential future costs.
•
Upgrades should prioritize amenities
that are inclusive and accessible for
individuals of all abilities, ensuring
equity and enhancing user satisfaction
across the community.

Exhibit 4.1-6: Modernize and Update
All Parks & Facilities Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Multimodal Survey
Workshop #1
Workshop #3
Key Strategy #2: Implement a
comprehensive maintenance and upgrade plan
to continue Murrieta’s high standards of quality
and user satisfaction.

Goal 2.3:
“Modernize and Upgrade All Parks
and Facilities”
The City should modernize and upgrade
all parks and facilities by assessing
demand before replacing worn elements
and implementing a life cycle analysis
for major park components to better
forecast future costs.
83 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Existing Conditions:
• There are forty-one (41) playgrounds
located in the fifty-three (53) City parks.
•
Twenty (20) playgrounds have a shade
covering/canopy.

Community Voice:
• Playground improvement desires were
recorded in the multimodal survey,
workshop 2, workshop 3, and the
feedback comments.
•
Community desires included:
“playground cleanliness,” “better
playgrounds,” “improved/more sand,”
“update play equipment,” “sensory
playgrounds,” “add shade,” “add
seating,” “playground improvements,”
“slide,” and “play structures.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-7 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated
a desire for playground improvements.

Recommendations:
• Develop a playground renovation
schedule based on installation date
and life expectancy. Modifications
may be required based on equipment
use levels.
•
As new playgrounds are developed,
the City should include all-inclusive,
universal playground design standards
to promote equitable play spaces for
all.

Exhibit 4.1-7: Playground
Improvement Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Multimodal Survey
Feedback Survey
Workshop #2
Workshop #3
Goal 2.4:
“Playground Improvements”
The City should enhance playgrounds
by implementing a renovation schedule
based on equipment lifespan and
incorporating all-inclusive, universal
design standards in new playgrounds for
equitable play.

City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 84 DRAFT
Existing Conditions:
• There are thirteen (13) restroom
buildings and five (5) portable
restrooms, totaling eighteen (18)
restrooms located in the City parks.
•
The neighborhood play areas are

small parks for nearby neighborhoods
and do not include restrooms.
•
The nature parks do not include
restrooms.

Community Voice:
• Restroom maintenance desires were
recorded in the stakeholder interviews,
multimodal survey, workshop 1,
workshop 3, and the feedback
comments.
•
Community desires included: “restroom
maintenance,” and “bathrooms.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-8 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated
a desire for restroom improvements.

Recommendations:
• Parks with high visitation should
have increased restroom cleaning
operations. Cleaning operations
should be conducted during peak,
day usage to minimize restrooms
appearing overused during community
events. Peak, day usage per park can
be found in the trends report in the
appendix.

Exhibit 4.1-8: Restroom Maintenance
Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Multimodal Survey
Feedback Survey
Workshop #1
Workshop #3
Key Strategy #2: Implement a
comprehensive maintenance and upgrade plan
to continue Murrieta’s high standards of quality
and user satisfaction.

Goal 2.5:
“Restroom Maintenance”
The City should increase restroom
maintenance by increasing cleaning
operations during peak usage times in
parks with high visitation.
85 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Photo by the City of Murrieta
City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 86 DRAFT
Existing Conditions:
• E-bike popularity has not only grown
dramatically over the last few years,
but it has become a common mode of
transportation for many people.
•
In 2024, City Council amended
Ordinance No. 605-24 regarding
bicycle, electric bicycle, scooter, and
skateboard safety.
•
The City annually hosts the popular
‘Tour de Murrieta’ bicycle race in the
spring season.

Community Voice:
• Bike trail desires were recorded in the
stakeholder interviews, multimodal
survey, and the feedback comments.
•
Community desires included: “bike
trail,” and “bike path.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-9 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated
a desire for bike trails.

Recommendations:
• Implement the recommendations from
the Murrieta Trails Master Plan including:
o
Increase trail user visibility at
trailheads;
o
Lowering roadway speeds

adjacent to trailheads, staging
areas, and crossings;
o
Improved trail roadway crossings;
o
Develop new trail connections; and
o
Develop trail signage and

wayfinding.
•
Implementation of the new ordinance
to regulate the use of electric
bicycles, scooters, and skateboards
in response to rising safety concerns.

This ordinance addresses speed limits,
helmet requirements, and restrictions
on where these vehicles
can be operated, aiming to
reduce traffic accidents and
improve public safety.

Exhibit 4.1-9: Bike Trails
Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Key Strategy #3: Create an integrated trail
network that promotes active transportation and
enhances outdoor recreation opportunities as
recommended in the Trails Master Plan.

Multimodal Survey
Feedback Survey
Goal 3.1:
“Bike Trails”
The City should improve bike trails
by implementing the Murrieta Trails
Master Plan, focusing on visibility, speed
reduction, crossings, connections, and
signage.
87 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Existing Conditions:
• The City’s trail network includes over
twenty-two (22) miles of trails located
on nineteen (19) trails.
•
The City has seven (7) fitness routes
that utilize City trails and sidewalks to
connect and provide loop walking/
hiking routes.

Community Voice:
• Walking paths/hiking trails desires were
recorded in the stakeholder interviews,
multimodal survey, workshop 2, and the
feedback comments.
•
Community desires included: “walking
trails,” “more hiking trails,” and
“walking/running trail.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-10 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated a
desire for walking paths and hiking trails.

Recommendations:
• The community outreach collected
identified a desire for more on walking
and hiking paths in nature and
therefore class three bike trails do not
satisfy this need.
•
The City should look to improve
neighborhood park internal trail loops
and connections identified in the Trails
Master Plan.
•
Develop a special needs interactive
trail system between Century Park and
Barratt Park.

Exhibit 4.1-10: Walking Paths and
Hiking Trails Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Multimodal Survey
Feedback Survey
Workshop #2
Goal 3.2:
“Walking Paths/Hiking Trails”
The City should support the community’s
desire for natural walking and hiking
paths by improving park trail loops,
enhancing connections, and developing
a Special Needs Interactive Trail System.

City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 88 DRAFT
Key Strategy #4: Design an aquatic facility
that caters to diverse age groups and skill levels
that promotes water safety.

Existing Conditions:
• The City parks do not have any splash
pads or water parks in them.
•
Pond Park has a man-made pond.
•
Several natural creeks and waterways
run through the City.

Community Voice:
• Splash pad or water park desires were
recorded in the multimodal survey,
workshop 1, workshop 3, and the
feedback comments.
•
Community desires included: “splash
pad,” and “water park.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-11 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated
a desire for splash pads or water parks.

Recommendations:
• Develop a spray play area that is
integrated into park infrastructure.

Spray play features can be included in
park facilities designed to be more site
specific with seasonal use to reduce
maintenance costs.
•
Splash pads can be designed in various
styles from small water elements in
playgrounds to larger water park type
apparatus. The City should begin with
smaller implementation elements that
do not require significant capital costs,
and when shutdown, do not negatively
impact the playability or visibility of a
park.

Exhibit 4.1-11: Splash Pad or Water
Park Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Multimodal Survey
Feedback Survey
Workshop #1
Workshop #3
Goal 4.1:
“Splash Pad or Water Park”
The City should develop splash pads
integrated into park infrastructure,
starting with smaller, cost-effective water
features

that

not

significantly

impact

park usability or maintenance efforts.
89 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Existing Conditions:
• In 2023 the public swimming pool at
California Oaks Sports Park became
inoperable due to the failure of the
pool equipment and funding needed to
make the costly repairs.
•
The City has entered into an agreement
with the MVUSD to provide recreation
swim and swimming lessons at Vista
Murrieta High School for the 2024
summer/fall season.

Community Voice:
• Swimming class desires were recorded
in the stakeholder interviews,
multimodal survey, workshop 1,
workshop 2, and workshop 3.
•
Community desires included: “pool,”
“aquatic facilities,” “swimming
lessons,” “competitive swimming,”
“aquatic teams,” “water sports,” and
“swimming classes.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-12 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated
a desire for swimming pool and
swimming classes.

Recommendations:
• The renovations needed at California
Oaks Sports Park pool should be
prioritized based on City Council’s
guidance, balancing this significant
investment against other critical
infrastructure and community needs,
while exploring funding opportunities
such as public/private partnerships,
grants, bonds, increased fees, or
a temporary assessment to ensure
financial feasibility
•
Develop aquatic programming for the
community to include learning to swim,
advanced swim, aquatic aerobics, and
similar classes.
•
Work with local partners to promote
and host aquatic programs while the
City pool facilities are being renovated.

Exhibit 4.1-12: Swimming Pool and
Swimming Classes Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Multimodal Survey
Workshop #1
Workshop #2
Workshop #3
Goal 4.2:
“Swimming Pool and Swimming
Classes”
The City should expand aquatic
programming, including swim classes and
aerobics, by partnering locally during
pool renovations and prioritizing the
renovations at California Oaks Sports Park
pool based on City Council guidance.

City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 90 DRAFT
Existing Conditions:
• The City utilizes A-frame signs,
postcards, the City website, City
newsletter, and social media to
inform the community of events and
programs.
•
Residents can register for classes
through a QR code or on the City’s
website.

Community Voice:
• 44% of Murrieta residents get
information about parks, recreation
facilities, trails, programs, or services
from the City’s website, 27% from
internet/Google searches, 12% from
social media, and 9% from friends and
family.
•
Desires for community engagement
and marketing of programs offered
were recorded in the stakeholder
interviews, multimodal survey,
workshop 1, workshop 3, and the
feedback comments.
•
Community desires included:
“communication,” “community
engagement,” and “promotion of
events.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-13 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated
a desire for a community engagement
and marketing of program offered.

Recommendations:
• Consider offering an email registration
to send email announcements to
residents who opt-in.
•
The City should leverage personalized
outreach through social media,
newsletters, and partnerships with
local organizations such as schools
and community groups. Additionally,
tailoring efforts to address the unique
needs of different demographics can
help improve engagement. Including
metrics, such as participation rates or
survey feedback, could also measure
the success of these initiatives.

Exhibit 4.1-13: Engagement/
Marketing of Programs Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Key Strategy #5: Develop an outreach
campaign that leverages local partnerships with
personalized communication to promote a diverse
range of community events and programs.

Multimodal Survey
Feedback Survey
Workshop #1
Workshop #3
Goal 5.1:
“Communication Engagement/
Marketing of Programs Offered”
The City should strengthen community
engagement and marketing of
programs by enhancing multi-channel
communication efforts based on
community feedback.
91 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Existing Conditions:
• The Parks and Recreation Department
celebrates its community with several
special events throughout the year,
including its Spring Eggstravaganza,
Tour De Murrieta, Jazz & Blues Fest,
Father’s Day Car Show, Murrieta
Birthday Bash, Murrieta Rod Run, and its
Holiday Magic Events, just to name a
few.

Community Voice:
• Community event desires were
recorded in the stakeholder interviews,
workshop 1, and workshop 3.
•
Community desires included: “events,”
“family-friendly events,” “community
events,” and “improve communication
for events/classes.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-14 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated
a desire for community events.

Recommendations:
• The City should document the need
for additional staffing that will allow a
continued role in cooperating with the
local Chamber of Commerce, local
school districts, civic organizations,
non-profits, and businesses, to produce
community wide special events.

Collaborative strategies include
promotion, participation, funding
and sponsorship opportunities. Events
should focus on family inclusion and
community cultural celebrations.
•
The Parks and Recreation Department
and Economic Development
Departments, in conjunction with the
local Chamber of Commerce, should
conduct and report to the City Council
economic profile reports of special
events held within City limits. This can
be accomplished through utilization
of anonymized cellular data and local
business comparisons.

Exhibit 4.1-14: Community Events
Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Workshop #1
Workshop #3
Goal 5.2:
“Community Events”
The City should improve community
events

increasing

staffing

collaborate with local organizations
and businesses, focusing on inclusive
cultural celebrations, and reporting the
economic impact of these events to the
City Council.

City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 92 DRAFT
Existing Conditions:
• The City provides several sports and
fitness programs through its Parks and
Recreation Department, including
Tai Chi, yoga, Jazzercise, pickleball,
zumba, fencing, dance, karate, soccer,
tennis, golf, track and field, and more.

Community Voice:
• Fitness and exercise class desires
were recorded in the multimodal
survey, workshop 2, and the feedback
comments.
•
Community desires included: “fitness
classes,” “fitness programs,” “fitness
groups,” “youth fitness,” “Jazzercise,”
“more Jazzercise,” and “weightlifting.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-15 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated a
desire for fitness and exercise classes.

Recommendations:
• The City should look to develop a wide
range of fitness programs that work
well in structured and unstructured
environments as well as via digital
applications.
•
Develop boot camps held outdoors in
parks offering high-intensity interval
training (HIIT) fitness sessions.
•
Develop mobile fitness vans equipped
with fitness equipment travel to different
neighborhoods, offering fitness classes
and structured programming. This
effort allows for temporary fitness
events in different locations, offering a
range of activities from such as yoga,
kickboxing, Jazzercise, etc.
•
Develop digital fitness integration with
fitness apps and QR codes that provide
residents with workout plans, nutrition
advice, and virtual coaching. Larger
cities such as Los Angeles, New York,
Austin, and Seattle have successfully
implemented QR codes in parks.

Exhibit 4.1-15: Fitness and Exercise
Classes Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Multimodal Survey
Feedback Survey
Workshop #2
Key Strategy #5: Develop an outreach
campaign that leverages local partnerships with
personalized communication to promote a diverse
range of community events and programs.

Goal 5.3:
“Fitness and Exercise Classes”
The City should develop diverse fitness
programs, including park-based boot
camps,

mobile

fitness

vans,

and

digital

fitness

integration

with

apps

and

codes for accessible, structured, and
unstructured exercise options.
93 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Existing Conditions:
• Participation rates from program
registration data show that senior
activities have been steadily
increasing.
•
The City offers a variety of senior
activities and classes at the Murrieta
Senior Center.

Community Voice:
• Senior activities and class desires were
recorded in the multimodal survey,
workshop 1, and workshop 2.
•
Community desires included: “senior
needs,” “programs offered for seniors,”
“senior programs,” “senior activities,”
and “senior fitness.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-16 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated a
desire for senior activities and classes.

Recommendations:
• Develop senior fitness programs
including low impact exercises such as
senior aquatic exercise options.
•
Within existing programming, market to
older adults with an emphasis on well-
balanced fitness programs including
gentler aerobics such as yoga, Tai
Chi, and Pilates that offer a variety
of benefits for health and disease
prevention.
•
Identify partners or collaborators to
assist in developing an increase in
programs for older adults at alternate
locations. Possible partners may
include libraries, AARP, faith-based
organizations, health care providers,
and educational institutions.
•
Continue to offer and expand lifelong
learning programs such as creative
arts, technology classes, lectures, short
courses, and leisure classes.

Exhibit 4.1-16: Senior Activities and
Classes Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Multimodal Survey
Workshop #1
Workshop #2
Goal 5.4:
“Senior Activities/Classes”
The City should expand senior activities
by

developing

low-impact

fitness

programs, marketing balanced exercises,
partnering with organizations for
additional programs, and continuing
lifelong learning opportunities.

City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 94 DRAFT
Existing Conditions:
• The City offers a variety of after school
programs at the Murrieta Youth Center.
•
There are several youth sports program
offered through the City of Murrieta and
various sports organizations.

Community Voice:
• Desires for teen and youth programs
were recorded in the multimodal survey,
workshop 1, workshop 2, workshop 3,
and the feedback comments.
•
Community desires included: “activities
for young people teenagers,” “teen
services,” “programs for kids,” “youth-
oriented activities or classes,” “youth
gymnastics,” “youth art classes,” “youth
theatre/drama,” and “teen or kids
activities.”
•
Exhibit 4.1-17 illustrates the location of
the survey respondents that indicated a
desire for teen and youth programs.

Recommendations:
• The City should look to expand
the after-school programs through
collaborative partnerships, marketing
and assessments, and resource
availability.
•
Consider collaborating with local
businesses, non-profits, and local
colleges or universities that can
bring in volunteers and interns who
provide tutoring, mentoring, or lead
extracurricular activities and balanced
program offerings.
•
Ensure that adequate facilities and
resources are available to support
expanded programs.
•
Programming should be targeted to
teen, youth, young adult, and families.

Exhibit 4.1-17: Teen and Youth
Programs Survey Results
Copyright © 1995–2024 Esri.

Multimodal Survey
Feedback Survey
Workshop #1
Workshop #2
Workshop #3
Key Strategy #5: Develop an outreach
campaign that leverages local partnerships with
personalized communication to promote a diverse
range of community events and programs.

Goal 5.5:
“Teen and Youth Programs”
The City should expand teen and youth
programs by enhancing after-school
offerings through partnerships, ensuring
adequate facilities, and targeting a
range of activities for teens, youth, young
adults, and families.
95 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Photo by the City of Murrieta
City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 96 DRAFT
Developer Parks and Dedication of Parkland for Recreation Purposes As Murrieta continues to grow, it is imperative to ensure that all new developments provide active and passive park facilities and programs that will satisfy the basic leisure needs of the City’s residents and enhance the quality of life in Murrieta. The following objectives shall serve as a benchmark to guide new development within the City:

1. For

larger

developments,

seek

land

dedication

sufficient

build

regional

park

facilities

that

could

include

sports

fields.

For

smaller

developments,

seeks

fees

lieu

of land dedication to raise the funds necessary to acquire land for regional parks and/or

develop

sports

field

facilities.

2. Provide local park facilities and recreation areas that are appropriate for the individual neighborhoods and communities in which they are located and that reflect

the

needs

and

interests

the

demographics

they

serve.

3. The City shall recommend whether to require land dedication, require payment of a fee in-lieu thereof, or a combination of both, by consideration of the following:
a.

Recreational element of the City’s General Plan, Trails Master Plan, and the Park and Recreation Master Plan; and
b.

Existing and proposed topography, geology, access and location of land within the subdivision available for dedication; and
c.

Size and shape of the subdivision and land available for dedication; and d.

Provide

least

five

(5)

acres

improved

public

park

land

per

1000

residents

(each

site

should

contain

minimum

five

(5)

usable

acres

order

considered); and
e.

Acquire, plan, develop, and staff facilities to make possible a wide variety of passive, active and organized recreation activities and opportunities to enrich the lives of the residents; and
f.

Provide policies and standards which will enable the City to provide the local

parks

needed

identified

the

City’s

General

Plan,

Trails

Master

Plan,

and

the
Parks and Recreation Master Plan; and
g.

Parkland must meet or exceed the standards recommended for development by the Park and Recreation Department, Park Design Landscape and Tree Preservation Ordinance, Landscape Standards; and
h.

Ensure that existing and future recreation facilities are consistent with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and i.

Within a particular recreation site, the size, location and design of various

functions

and

facilities

should

flexible,

adjust

population

changes

and to new program demands; and
j.

Provide adequate parking at each location when possible to minimize parking problems on residential streets; and
k.

Create recreational opportunities for residents through use of connected and contiguous trail networks; and
l.

Parkland dedicated to the City by developers of property shall meet or exceed the development standards established by the City; and
m.

Acquire and/or preserve diverse open spaces and provide for the advantageous use of these areas for recreation purposes and visual enhancement; and n.

Preserve the historical, scenic, and cultural heritage sites of the community and its environs.

4.2 SECTION FOUR: RECOMMENDATIONS
97 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 The anticipated growth in population over the next 10 years will place an increased demand upon the City’s infrastructure and public facilities. In response to the additional demands, the City requires every person who develops land to mitigate the impacts of that development by paying a Development Impact Fee (DIF). The fees collected are used for new public facilities, vehicles, equipment, and infrastructure development projects. DIF fees are a major revenue source for the development of City projects because they are contingent on development within the City.

In FY 2023/24, a new nexus impact fee study was conducted leading to Resolution No. 24-4733 adopted on April 16, 2024. The following park facilities fee schedule, Table 9.9, is from the nexus impact fee study and became effective on August 30, 2024.

According to the City’s 24/25 adopted budget, DIF revenues make up 41% of the overall CIP funding sources as shown in the current operating budget. The initial projected revenues for the various development impact fees are approximately $6,007,769 for FY 2024/25. Finance and Public Works staff will continue to monitor actual receipts and amend the budget and revenue projections as necessary.

City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 98 DRAFT
Park and Recreation Facility Funding Recommendations
The cornerstone of the success of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan is the City’s ability to secure adequate and stable funding for the development and operation of parks, recreation facilities, and programs. Two major cost centers require funding to implement the Master Plan. One is capital costs which includes potential acquisition and development of new required parks and facilities, as well as renovation of existing parks. The second major cost center is to develop long-term sustainable resources for operations and maintenance of existing and new facilities, including additional City staff that will be needed.

This section of the Master Plan provides recommendations for park development, maintenance, and operations to assist Murrieta in preparing for planned implementation.

number

financial

resources

are

available

and

the

City

must

be strategic as it considers initial costs for new park development and the ongoing financial

needs

associated

with

the

ongoing

maintenance,

and

operations

the

parks, programs, and any new services for the community. Meeting these challenges will require equal amounts of vision, resourcefulness, partnership, and hard work.

The

specific

funding

source

for

projects

will

depend

the

timing

the

new

development, the funding sources available at that time, and/or those which may be more easily pursued when the project is anticipated to move forward. For major improvements, which include such facilities as community buildings, and sports facilities, the use of a capital project fund-raising effort may be needed.

Sponsorships and/or naming rights for major corporate or other private donors may also

consideration.

some

cases,

the

use

professional

fundraising

firm

should

considered

once

facility

project

identified.

Other

sources

funding

may include development agreements, public/private partnerships, and/or grant opportunities.

Development agreements are legally binding contracts between a city (or municipality) and a developer. They outline the terms and conditions for the development

specific

project,

including

parks.

Potential

incentives

for

developers,

such

expedited

permit

processes

tax

benefits,

may

offered

exchange

for

public

benefits

parks.

Public/private

partnerships

involve

collaboration

between

government entities and private sector companies to fund, build, and maintain public parks. Both public and private partners invest resources, including funding, land, or expertise, to develop the park. These partnerships often involve long-term collaboration for park maintenance and operations, ensuring sustainability and consistent quality. By leveraging development agreements and public/private partnerships, the City can enhance the park system, create vibrant community spaces, and ensure sustainable development.

4.3 SECTION FOUR: RECOMMENDATIONS
99 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Use of bonds, an increase in taxes, or
special assessment districts requires voter-
approval. Despite the dislike for taxes,
voters in many communities have been
willing to accept an increase when
revenues

are

specifically

earmarked

for improvements or enhancements to
public parks and amenities. Additional
information on possible funding sources
available are provided in the appendix.

The City should review and evaluate all
available grant opportunities for each
of the new projects considered. Some
possible grant funding sources include:
•
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
•
Office

Grants

and

Local

Services

(OGALS)
o
California Land Water and
Conservation Fund (LWCF)
o
Per Capita Grants
o
Recreation Trails Program
o
Outdoor Equity Grants
•
MLB-MLBPA Baseball Tomorrow Fund
•
United States Tennis Association (USTA) Facility Services Program •
Trails, Greenways, and Bicycle Transportation
•
U.S.A. Swimming Foundation Grants
•
The Skatepark Project Grants
Exhibit

4.3-1

the

following

pages,

identifies

recommended

projects

park

site and recreation facility for the City of Murrieta based on the community outreach and professional opinion developed during the Master Plan process, as well as projects already in the planning stages as part of the 2024/2025 through 2028/2029 City’s Capital Improvement Plan. Park facilities and buildings not listed in the recommendation matrix are NOT excluded from the overall master plan recommendations such as restroom maintenance improvements, trail connections and trailhead development, waste removal, security lighting, amenity life-cycle replacement analysis, as well as programming improvements.

Based on these general project estimates and with all projects considered, the City of Murrieta

has

projection

$65,468,074

park,

recreation

facility,

and

trail

specific

renovations

for

the

10 years.

Projects

identified

the

Fiscal

Year

(FY)

2024/29

Capital

Improvement

Program

(CIP)

identified

“substantially

completed”

are

listed
with carryover funds from FY 2023/24 totaling $5,076,248. The remaining costs include $7,622,542 in planned funded projects, $12,819,934 in planned unfunded projects, and a remaining balance of $39,949,350 of additional Master Plan recommended projects.

Halloween Event
Photo by the City of Murrieta
City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 100 DRAFT

RECOMMENDATION/

IMPROVEMENT

CARRYOVER
FY 2023-2024

ADOPTED CIP
FY 2025-2029
(FUNDED)

ADOPTED CIP
FY 2025-2029
(UNFUNDED)

NEW PROJECT
(UNFUNDED)

BUILDINGS - CITY RECREATION FACILITIES
Alderwood Clubhouse
•
Technology and Security
System (CIP #22027) $322,640
Community Center
•
Replace Tennis and
Basketball Court Lighting
(CIP #22016)
•
Kitchen Renovation (CIP
#21014)
•
New Community Room
6,700 SF Addition
$80,672
$60,000
$1,750,000
Youth Center
•
Phase 2 New Indoor
Gymnasium (CIP #21043
partially funded) $1,816,237 $8,183,763

CITY PARKS

CITY-WIDE PARK
Los Alamos Hills Sports Park
•
Phase I Park
Improvements
(CIP #8195)
•
Synthetic Turf
Replacement

(CIP #22039 - unfunded)
•
Phase II Park Expansion
$38,023
$1,452,408
$25,000,000

COMMUNITY PARKS
Alderwood Park
•
Splash pad (CIP #22046)
•
Add Four (4) New
Pickleball Courts

$1,125,000

$575,000
Alta Murrieta Sports Park
•
Tot Lot Rehab (CIP
#22029)
$64,266
California Oaks Sports Park
•
Swimming Pool
Renovation Project
•
Ballfield

Lighting

and

Bleacher Renovations
•
Fencing Walkway and
Court Improvements (CIP
#22011)
•
New Skate Park and Tennis
Court Lighting Project (CIP
#22017)
•
Skate Park Fencing Repairs
(CIP #22033)
$59,335
$186,345
$75,000
$11,000,000*
$350,000
SECTION FOUR: RECOMMENDATIONSExhibit 4.3-1: Recommended Parks and Recreation Facility Projects
*from California Oaks Sports Park Pool
Renovation cost estimate dated 05/01/24.
101 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Exhibit 4.3-1: Recommended Parks
and Recreation Facility Projects (cont.)

RECOMMENDATION/

IMPROVEMENT

CARRYOVER
FY 2023-2024

ADOPTED CIP
FY 2025-2029
(FUNDED)

ADOPTED CIP
FY 2025-2029
(UNFUNDED)

NEW PROJECT
(UNFUNDED)

CITY PARKS (CONTINUED)
Glen Arbor Park
•
New Dog Park (CIP #8273) $743,516
Torrey Pines Park
•
Synthetic Turf
Replacement

(CIP #22039 - unfunded)
*listed
above

NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
Firefighters Park
•
Tot Lot Rehab (CIP
#22040)
$105,250
Mapleton Park
•
Playground Shade Covers
(CIP #22037) $139,860
Northstar Park
•
New Tot Lot (CIP #22036) $754,587 $250,000
Pioneer Park
•
Phase I Second Avenue
Park (CIP #8094)
•
Phase II Pioneer Park
(CIP #22044)
$44,350
$900,000
Rancho Acacia Park
•
Tot Lot Rehab (CIP
#22031)
$145,411
Vintage Reserve Park
•
Restroom Project
(CIP #22045) $500,000

NEIGHBORHOOD PLAY AREAS
Century Park
•
Sensory Trail $714,100
Eastgate Park
•
Tot Lot Rehab (CIP
#22030)
$238,961
Monte Vista Park
•
New Tot Lot Project (CIP
#22038) $562,786 $250,000
Oak Terrace Park
•
Tot Lot Rehab (CIP
#22026)
$288,614
Palomar Park
•
Tot Lot Rehab (CIP
#22035)
$392,536 $100,000
City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 102 DRAFT
SECTION FOUR: RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDATION/

IMPROVEMENT

CARRYOVER
FY 2023-2024

ADOPTED CIP
FY 2025-2029
(FUNDED)

ADOPTED CIP
FY 2025-2029
(UNFUNDED)

NEW PROJECT
(UNFUNDED)

CITY PARKS (CONTINUED)
Sycamore Park
•
Tot Lot Rehab (CIP
#22032)
$243,615
Toulon Park
•
Park signage
•
Landscaping at 6,050 SF @
$5.00/SF
$30,000
$30,250

SPECIAL USE PARKS
Sykes Ranch Park
•
Park Windmill (CIP #22010) $201,230
Town Square Park
•
Veterans Memorial (CIP
#8513)
•
Signage (CIP #8414)
$153,034
$41,285
$600,000

CITY-WIDE PARKS IMPROVEMENT
•
Citywide Pickleball Court
Project (CIP #22042) $134,932 $265,068
•
New Spray Play Amenities $500,000
TRAILS
•
Murrieta Creek Regional
Trail (CIP #22047 - partially
funded) $1,816,237 $3,183,763

FUNDED CARRYOVER
FROM FY 2023-2024 $5,076,248
FUNDED FY 2025-2029
CIP PROJECTS $7,622,542
UNFUNDED FY 2025-2029
CIP PROJECTS: $12,819,934
UNFUNDED NEW PROJECTS $39,949,350
Exhibit 4.3-1: Recommended Parks
and Recreation Facility Projects
New project cost estimates are general in nature and developed to represent a Master Plan level cost for future budgeting. Costs should be considered as approximations of the proposed project. Actual costs will depend on design, size of facility, additional support facilities, utilities, infrastructure, environmental conditions as

well

site

specific

conditions,

which

require

additional

study

and

have

not

been

evaluated in this Master Plan.
103 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Short, Mid, and Long-Term Costs
The following section is developed to outline future CIP efforts. The following time frame may change due to budget considerations and community priorities. Exhibit

4.4-1 illustrates the short-term (FY 2024-2029), mid-term (FY 2029-2034), and long term (FY 2034-Beyond) park and facility recommendations from this Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

4.4 PARK / FACILITY AND

RECOMMENDATIONS
Funded/
Unfunded
FY
2024-2029
FY
2029-2034
FY
2034- Beyond
Community Center - Room
Addition
Unfunded
$1,750,000
Youth Center - New Indoor
Gymnasium
Unfunded
$8,183,763
Los Alamos Hills Sports Park
and Torrey Pines Park -
Synthetic Turf Renovation
Unfunded
$1,452,408
Los Alamos Hills Sports Park -
Phase II Expansion
Unfunded
$25,000,000
Alderwood Park - Pickleball
Courts
Unfunded $575,000
California Oaks Sports Park -
Pool Renovation
Unfunded
$5,000,000 $6,000,000
California Oaks Sports Park -
Ballfield

Lighting/Seating
Unfunded
$350,000
Century Park - Sensory Trail Unfunded $714,100
Toulon Park - Park Signage
& Landscape
Unfunded $60,250
New Spray Play Amenities Unfunded $500,000
Murrieta Creek Regional
Park
Unfunded $3,183,763
TOTAL COSTS $6,485,250 $19,831,626 $26,452,408
Exhibit 4.4-1:

Short, Mid, and Long-Term Costs
City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 104 DRAFT
Next Steps
To successfully implement the recommendations outlined in the Murrieta Parks and Recreation

Master

Plan,

strategic

approach

staffing,

funding,

and

resource

allocation

will

essential.

Ensuring

that

sufficient

maintenance

crews

are

available

to care for the expanded and improved park and recreation facility network is a top priority. This includes developing routine maintenance schedules, addressing issues such

sports

field

maintenance,

restroom

maintenance,

and

parking

lot

repairs,

and

potentially

expanding

staffing

levels

meet

these

new

demands.

Staffing

and

maintenance recommendations are further discussed after this section of the report.

Securing funding is critical for both immediate and long-term implementation of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. A diverse approach to funding should include leveraging capital improvement funds, applying for State and Federal grants, and exploring public-private partnerships. Allocating these resources strategically will allow for

phased

development

and

ensure

that

priority

projects

are

addressed

first.

Coordination between City Departments and community stakeholders will be vital to maintain momentum and address any challenges that arise during implementation.

The

following

recommended

implementation

table

identifies

each

the

five

(5)

Master Plan key strategies, goals, and recommendations with and estimated time to implement each recommended project. Projects with a CIP# have been planned in the 2024/2029 Capital Improvement Plan, and may or may not have funding secured (refer to Exhibit 4.2-1 for funding status and dollar amounts).

4.5 Recommendation Short-Term
(FY2025-2030)
Mid-Term
(FY2030-2035)
Long-Term
(FY2035-Beyond)
KEY STRATEGY #1: PRIORITIZE MULTI-USE FACILITY DEVELOPMENT TO MEET DIVERSE DEMANDS Goal 1.1: Increase Sports Fields
Develop Los Alamos Hills Sports Park Phase II
expansion

increase

sports

fields*
X X X
Improve lighting and bleachers at California
Oaks

Sports

Park

ballfields*
X
Balance

programming

fields

utilizing

adult

size

fields

for

youth

sports

(baseball,

softball, football, and soccer)
X X X
Continue

secure

use

sports

fields

via

a Joint Use Agreement with the Murrieta
Valley

Unified

School

District
X X X
*Recommendation will have a capital cost impact and will require capital funding to implement. 105 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Recommendation Short-Term
(FY2025-2030)
Mid-Term
(FY2030-2035)
Long-Term
(FY2035-Beyond)
Goal 1.2: Develop New Dog Park and Provide Dog Amenities throughout the City Design and construct dog park at Glen
Arbor Park (CIP #8273)*
X
Install dog waste stations at parks and trails* X X
Goal 1.3: Support the Community’s Strong Desire for Enhanced Pickleball Facilities Design and construct pickleball courts at
Alderwood Park*
X X
Develop pickleball classes and tournament
events
X X
KEY STRATEGY #2: IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADE PLAN Goal 2.1: Improve Cleanliness of Parks, Facilities, and Trails Establish an Adopt-A-Park program to utilize
volunteers to conduct maintenance at parks
X
Develop park clean up events X
Increase waste removal efforts especially
after large events
X X X
Goal 2.2: Improve Safety
Install pedestrian security lighting at various
parks*
X
Install security cameras at various parks* X X
Include CPTED features in new parks and
park improvement projects*
X X X
Continue

park

ranger

and

graffiti

removal

programs
X X X
Coordinate patrol routes with ranger and
police programs
X X X
Goal 2.3: Moderize and Upgrade Parks and Facilities
Alderwood Club House Technology and
Security System (CIP #22027)*
X
Consider demand of park amenity before
replacement
X X X
Develop equipment life cycle analysis to
forecast potential future costs
X X X
*
Recommendation will have a capital cost impact and will require capital funding to implement.

City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 106 DRAFT
Recommendation Short-Term
(FY2025-2030)
Mid-Term
(FY2030-2035)
Long-Term
(FY2035-Beyond)
Goal 2.4: Enhance Playgrounds
Develop a playground renovation schedule
based on installation date and life
expectancy
X
As new playgrounds are developed, the
City should include all-inclusive, universal
playground design standards*
X X X
Goal 2.5: Increase Restroom Maintenance
Increase restroom maintenance during peak
usage times
X X X
KEY STRATEGY #3: CREATE INTEGRAL TRAIL NETWORK
Goal 3.1: Improve Bike Trails
Implement Trails Master Plan
recommendations and provide safe routes
to schools
X X X
Enforce and implement the eBike ordinance
on speed limits and restrictions
X X X
Goal 3.2: Provide More Walking Paths and Hiking Trails
Improve neighborhood park internal trail
loops and connections*
X X
Develop new trail connecting Century Park
and Barratt Park*
X X
Develop Murrieta Creek Regional Trail (CIP
#22047)*
X X X
KEY STRATEGY #4: DESIGN AQUATIC FACILITY
Goal 4.1: Develop Splash Pads
Develop splash pad or spray play feature at
Alderwood Park (CIP #22046)
X X
Goal 4.2: Expand Aquatic Programming by Providing Community Pool or Partnership with School Continue JUA with MUSD for use of
swimming pool at High School*
X
Renovate swimming pool at California Oaks
Sports Park*
X X X
Expand aquatic programming, including
swimming lessons and water aerobics
X X
*
Recommendation will have a capital cost impact and will require capital funding to implement. 107 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Staffing Recommendations
Included in the previous Next Steps section are several Master Plan recommendations related to policies, management, and expanded programming. The Community Services

Department

staffing

levels

will

need

evaluated

and

most

likely

increased to accommodate these recommendations, future needs, and future growth.

Without

the

allocation

sufficient

staff

resources,

the

ability

maintain

the

quality and frequency of programs, classes, and special events may be compromised; therefore, it is recommended that staff capacity be evaluated and expanded as needed to support the growing demands of event coordination and implementation.

4.6 Recommendation Short-Term
(FY2025-2030)
Mid-Term
(FY2030-2035)
Long-Term
(FY2035-Beyond)
KEY RECOMMENDATION #5: PROMOTE A DIVERSE RANGE OF COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PROGRAMS Market programs by enhancing multi-
channel communication efforts
X X X
Improve community events by increasing
staffing
to
collaborate
with
local
organizations

and businesses,
focusing on inclusive cultural
celebrations, and reporting the economic
impact of these events to the City Council
X X X
Develop
diverse
fitness
programs,
including

park-based
boot
camps,
mobile
fitness
vans,

and
digital
fitness
integration
with
apps
and

QR
codes
for
accessible,
structured,
and

unstructured exercise options
X X X
Expand senior activities
by developing low-
impact
fitness
programs,
marketing
balanced

exercises, partnering
with organizations for
additional programs, and continuing lifelong
learning opportunities
X X X
Expand teen and youth programs by
enhancing after-school offerings through
partnerships, ensuring adequate facilities,
and targeting a range of activities for teens,
youth, young adults, and families
X X X
City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 108 DRAFT
Maintenance Recommendations
The following summarizes recommendations for park maintenance. Park maintenance is unique not to what department it exists under but in how effective it is based on the level of use the parks endure. Park maintenance is successful when the various park facilities are evaluated regularly for performance and maintenance practices are tailored to preventative rather than reactive repairs. The following summarizes the recommendations developed in the Operations and Maintenance Plan. Detailed information can be found in the appendix.

Maintenance Personnel & Contract Support:

The City of Murrieta has a committed team of employees to manage its park maintenance functions. This team is supported by contract personnel from Excel Landscape. As the maintenance team is challenged with meeting the ongoing demands and tasks needed for park maintenance, we recommend adding support through the City’s landscape contractor. Utilizing contract personnel for routine tasks such as daily trash and waste removal, and power-blowing hardscape areas is simple for a contractor to manage, but more important – it is simple for the City to ensure the tasks were properly completed. Contractors can often add manpower at lower costs when compared to the inherent personnel costs for a public agency.

Computerized Maintenance Management Software (CMMS):

The City utilizes Asset Essentials, a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). While the City utilizes Asset Essentials to manage, track, and generate reports for its maintenance work order system, it does not use the system for landscape and outdoor maintenance functions of its park spaces. These CMMS systems are often used to provide a portal to receive, respond, and react to maintenance requests as they are received. We recommend utilizing the software proactively by populating the software with all scheduled, planned, and programmed maintenance tasks in the City’s parks and outdoor spaces.

Managing Sports Field Use And Permits:

The City’s program and permits team must be strategic and collaborate with the maintenance

team

ensure

success

with

maintenance

the

City’s

sports

fields.

Unlimited resources and exceptional maintenance practices cannot succeed with an

over

scheduled

mismanaged

sports

field.

recommend

the

City

review

its

historical

use

the

City’s

lighted

sports

fields

(type

use,

age

groups,

number

hours

permitted

per

field)

and

establish

threshold

and

goal

for

permittable

hours

available

these

fields.

4.7 SECTION FOUR: RECOMMENDATIONS
109 | City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan DRAFT
4 Upgrading Amenities:

As the City evaluates community demand and capacity for its sports facilities, the City may

consider

converting

some

its

sports

fields

synthetic

turf.

While

transitioning

natural

grass

field

synthetic

turf

significant

investment

and

upfront

cost,

synthetic

turf

field

can

accommodate

significant

additional

use,

and

reduces

demand

the

maintenance

team

and

reduces

ongoing

costs

associated

with

field

maintenance.

considering

the

pros

and

cons

synthetic

turf

field

conversion,

the

City can make a well-informed decision that balances the upfront investment with long-term

benefits,

ensuring

the

sports

facilities

meet

the

growing

demands

the

community.

Pros

synthetic

turf

fields

include:
•
Increased

Usability:

Synthetic

turf

fields

can

accommodate

intensive

use

compared

natural

grass

fields.

They

are

durable

and

can

withstand

continuous

play

without

the

need

for

rest

periods,

making

them

ideal

for

high-traffic

sports activities and events.
•
Reduced

Maintenance:

Synthetic

turf

requires

significantly

less

maintenance

than

natural grass. This includes eliminating the need for mowing, watering, fertilizing, and reseeding. The maintenance team can focus on other critical tasks, enhancing overall

operational

efficiency.
•
Cost Savings: While the initial investment for synthetic turf is substantial, the long- term cost savings are notable. Reduced maintenance, water savings, and fewer resources required for upkeep lead to lower ongoing expenses. This can result in significant

financial

benefits

over

the

lifespan

the

synthetic

turf.
•
Weather

Resistance:

Synthetic

turf

fields

are

less

affected

weather

conditions,

such as heavy rain or drought. This means fewer game cancellations and consistent availability for use, providing a reliable playing surface year-round. •
Environmental

Benefits:

Synthetic

turf

conserves

water,

valuable

resource,

and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, contributing to environmental sustainability. This aligns with the City’s commitment to eco-friendly practices.
•
Performance and Safety: Modern synthetic turf systems are designed to provide a safe and high-performance playing surface. Advances in technology ensure that these

fields

offer

shock

absorption,

traction,

and

playability,

reducing

the

risk

injuries for athletes.
•
Community Engagement: Enhanced sports facilities with synthetic turf can attract more community engagement, including local leagues, tournaments, and recreational activities. This can foster a sense of pride and community involvement.

City of Murrieta • Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 110 DRAFT
Photo by City of Murrieta
DRAFT

Murrieta City CouncilJune 3, 2025

Murrieta City Council
June 3, 2025