Pleasanton Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Page | 5 APPENDIX C American Planning Association directly associate well‐maintained parks and greenways with a strong sense of place and community identity, enhanced property values, and business, future homeowner and tourist attractions. Sustainability • There is a renewed awareness and sensitivity to the preservation of our natural environment. Many cities have developed best practices and strategies to address open space and urban forest preservation, wildlife habitat and natural area restoration, invasive plant management and shoreline/wetland/critical area management. • Another fast growing trend is the construction of “green” buildings using Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified strategies to improve energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emission reductions and stewardship of resources. Since the inception of the LEED certification system in 1998, the U.S. Green Building Council has grown to encompass more than 14,000 projects in the United States and 30 countries covering 1.062 billion square feet (99 km²) of development area. • There is a trend to utilize ecologically sound management practices in park and facility maintenance and operation. This would include recycling programs, reduced use of pesticides, energy‐ efficient lighting installations, water conservation and bio‐swale additions in park design to reduce water runoff. • Nearby Contra Costa County has started a Green Business Program based out of Contra Costa County Health Services, Hazardous Materials Programs. The program works with businesses to conserve resources and prevent pollution, possibly becoming Green Business certified using sector‐specific criteria. • Sustainable development has been gaining momentum since late 1980’s in response to the growing awareness of global warming and the need to reduce carbon footprint. The park and recreation profession has a huge role to play to comprehensively promote the three pillars of sustainability, economic, social and environmental. Parks, open space and recreation services generate a host of community benefits and outcomes in each of the three pillars of sustainability. Park and Recreation Industry • According to the Center for Disease Prevention and Control more than two thirds of Americans are overweight and one‐third is obese. Even though the obesity rate in California increased by 78% over the last 15 years, it is the 12th least obese state in the nation. Alameda County was at 21.9%, San Francisco 18.7% and San Mateo has an obesity rate of 25.4%. A recent study by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation The total estimated cost to California, primarily for health care, for overweight, obesity, and physical inactivity is over $41 billion. California Center for Public Health Native Plantings at Val Vista Park