Make Jax Parks Great! And Save Money At The Same Time!

[stjr]

Another example of Jacksonville's lack of energy, vision, and creativity shows in the fact that most of our parks are left solely in the hands of divisions and SUBdivisions of City Departments.  This occurred at some point when the former DEPARTMENT of Parks and Recreation was dismantled and its responsibilities were divided up between Public Works and Recreation and Community Services. The result is the apparent dilution of CoJ's focus and ability to advocate for City Parks in a unified manner and may account for the lack of progress in maintaining and developing our parks to their fullest potential.

Public Works Department:
Engineering and Construction Management

The Engineering and Construction Management Division is responsible for planning, designing and constructing public works projects, including infrastructure, parks, public buildings and traffic engineering.  The division also functions as part of the Jacksonville Stormwater Utility.

Recreation and Community Services

The Recreation and Community Services Department provides many of the city's human and social services. Among its responsibilities: city-owned parks, preserves, entertainment facilities, pools, marinas and waterfront facilities.

The department offers programs that enhance the quality of life for everyone in Jacksonville, and it manages, maintains and publicizes facilities and events throughout the city. It is also responsible for programs targeted specifically at meeting the unique needs of seniors, crime victims and the disabled.

The department is comprised of five divisions.

   * The Adult Services Division administers and operates community-wide social service programs serving the city's adult population, especially older adults.
   * The Behavioral and Human Services Division provides services for the following: mental health, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, crime victims, emergency financial assistance and indigent burial/cremation.
  * The Recreation and Community Programming Division provides recreation and nature programs throughout the community.
   * The Military Affairs, Veterans and Disabled Services Division helps to meet the needs of current and former members of the armed forces and the disabled.
   * The Waterfront Management and Programming Division oversees operations at community-wide preservation lands and waterfront parks.

The department also houses the Office of Special Events, which produces musical events, fireworks displays and parades of all sorts, the  Ritz Theatre and LaVilla Museum, which supports a vital part of Jacksonville's heritage, and the County Extension Office, which provides trained professionals and volunteers in agriculture, family and consumer sciences and 4-H youth development.

Contrast CoJ's approach with the unified, focused, and partnership approach utilized by the City of New York which arguably manages one of the most vibrant park systems in the world.

About NYC Parks & Recreation:

Parks & Recreation is the steward of about 29,000 acres of land â€" 14 percent of New York City â€" including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 550 tennis courts, 66 public pools, 48 recreational facilities, 17 nature centers, 13 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 600,000 street trees, and two million more in parks. We are New York City's principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.

Divisions

From planting trees to creating signs to planning the parks of the future, dozens of groups within Parks handle the myriad tasks the agency manages on a daily basis.

   * Capital Projects Division
   * Concessions
   * GreenApple Corps
   * Greenbelt Native Plant Center
   * GreenThumb
   * Historic House Trust
   * Marketing & Special Events
   * Natural Resources Group
  * Urban Park Rangers

Partners:

Without the assistance of these groups, New York City´s park system could not have experienced the incredible transformation witnessed within the past decade. Each organization makes an invaluable contribution to our parks, whether by forming hundreds of neighborhood Friends of Parks groups like Partnerships for Parks, raising millions of dollars for capital and maintenance projects, for specific parks like the Central Park Conservancy and the Prospect Park Alliance, or raising funds for projects Citywide, like the City Parks Foundation.

The Department of Parks & Recreation thanks all of its partners and encourages you to support them in whatever way you can. Volunteer, attend an event, donate money, and invest in the greenspaces and creatures you treasure!

Citywide Partners:
Audubon New York
City Parks Foundation
Council of the Environment of NYC
Green Guerillas
Historic House Trust
New York Restoration Project
New York Road Runners
New Yorkers for Parks
Partnerships for Parks
Trees New York
The Trust for Public Land
Wildlife Conservation Society

Manhattan Partners (similar partners for each borough):
34th Street Partnership
Alliance for Downtown New York
The Battery Conservancy
Battery Park City Authority
Battery Park City Parks Conservancy
Broadway Mall Association
Bryant Park Corporation/Business Improvement District
Central Park Conservancy
Central Park SummerStage
Fort Tryon Park Trust
Friends of Hudson River Park
Friends of Morningside Park
Friends of St. Nicholas Park
Friends of the High Line
Fund for Park Avenue
Historic Harlem Parks Coalition
Hudson River Park Trust
Lincoln Square BID
Madison Square Park Conservancy
Randall's Island Sports Foundation
Riverside Park Fund
Times Square Alliance BID
Union Square Partnership
Washington Square Association

Note, too, that the Partners support the Urban Park Ranger Division that provides some of the protection in the parks (and, likely, relieves the NYPD of some work load at far less costs):

In parks, you will find the Urban Park Rangers at Ranger Stations and Nature Centers. The Urban Park Rangers’ mission is to link New Yorkers to the natural world. Rangers teach people to care for the environment and the parks, protect the parks and their wild residents, and restore New York City’s natural heritage.

Funding for the Urban Park Rangers’ programs is primarily provided through the generous contributions of conservation-minded corporations, foundation, state and federal grant programs, and private citizens. For more information on Ranger programs or how to help, please call 311 today and ask for the Urban Park Rangers.

Where is CoJ's outreach to the community to develop the partnerships demonstrated above, both Citywide and park-specific?  Who within CoJ is tasked with this responsibility?  In these trying times, this is a real opportunity for CoJ to take advantage of creating a similar network of interested groups and individuals desiring to further develop and enhance our park system while possibly reducing the burden on the City's budget.

NYC states some 14% of its area is parks.  While we may have the largest park system in acreage at some 80,000 acres (per Wikipedia), 14% amounts to about the same percentage of park space in Duval County.  Given that NYC is a much more densely populated urban area, our total acreage doesn't seem so outstanding.  Further, much of it is related to the Timucan Preserve which is affiliated with the National Park Service and is, thus, not a typical park.  Add that the preserve's major feature is lots of swamp and waterways, and the land actually available for recreation in this City is far less impressive than advertised.

Lacking a public/private partnership(s) to advocate for City parks and their contributions to our quality of life is a shortcoming that, like historic preservation and education, needs timely attention from our community.

No one can convince me that there would not be an outpouring of support for our parks if an organized approach to solicit and harness it was developed.

[stjr]

For those who fail to see the value of urban parks we could have versus the ones we do have now, consider the list below as a starting point.

Items noted in or associated with Manhattan parks over many visits:

Outdoor movie screen
Outdoor stage for Broadway musical reviews
Countless fenced-in children's playgrounds (some even done in fantasy-related themes)
Tennis courts
Basketball courts
Playing fields
Lakes with row boats, gondolas, etc.
Ponds with ducks and other wildlife
Remote controlled model sail boating
Flowering gardens and landscaped grounds
Benches and creative seating platforms
Fountains
Outdoor art
Historic buildings and structures
Memorials
Statues honoring historic figures
Historic markers
Outdoor markets
Restaurants and bars overlooking scenic park areas
Souvenir stands/tables
Street entertainers/perfomers
Fishing off of bulkheads
Bike trails
Walking and jogging trails
Dog walks
Grassy lawns
Pavilions
Art museums
Public library
Cultural/ethnic museums
Mass transit stops
Forested areas
Scenic drives
Horse drawn carriages
Picnic areas
Tables and chairs for sitting, eating, checkers, chess, cards, etc.
Carousel
Scenic overlooks
Wildlife viewing
Plazas
Esplanades
Marinas
Sailing school
Scenic and excursion tour boat docks and ticket kiosks
Visitor information
Art and fashion shows and festivals
Music festivals
Outdoor concerts
Suntan chaises
Zoo
Public restrooms
Parades
Public events

Most importantly, many of these facets are woven into the same park, not segregated into separate parks/areas like our "Kids Campus" from other activities.

NY parks, whether one small block or Central Park, are all packed all day, every day, by appreciative users.

[tufsu1]

so does New York Parks & Rec Department also cnstruct parks?

[stjr]

so does New York Parks & Rec Department also cnstruct parks?

Tufsu, from their web site:

Parks’ Capital Projects Division, created in 1934 by Robert Moses, the City’s first Parks Commissioner, is credited with redesigning and rebuilding the agency’s more than 1,700 sites throughout the City. In addition to parks and playgrounds, this includes bike paths, sea walls, outdoor pools, boardwalks, basketball courts, roller hockey rinks, baseball fields, and natural areas. Capital Projects is housed at the Olmsted Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens.

[CS Foltz]

Well we have "Metropolitian Park"................did they ever fix the pumps?

[kitester]

There is also an opportunity to generate revenue that is so badly needed. At the very least the parks could have a system like the one for the beach parks where the entrance fee could be set aside into a trust fund for the parks only use. In some cases there could be a way for the city to "host" more events on park grounds where vendors and patrons would be attracted to parks that get less use. It would a require that the city SELL time and space instead of just making it available. Events like the Art Walk or the Riverside Arts Market could be held at some of the city's nice but less used venues. It could help to generate interest in those parks. The idea of marketing the city to outside interests is not new. Why not market the our existing resources to our own community?   

[Captain Zissou]

Does it cost money to set up a booth at RAM?  Even if it was a nominal fee ($10-$20), it would generate solid revenue that we don't currently have. 

stjr, do you know the budget for NYC's parks and recreation office??  If you use city/metro size as a factor, our budget should be about 1/12 the size of theirs.  I wonder where it actually falls. 

[stjr]

From Wikipedia, more ways to pay for parks AND stimulate the economy!

Concessions

Over 500 concessions are currently in operation within NYC Parks. Generally, these fall into the categories of either food services or recreational services. The food service concessions range from pushcarts selling hot dogs and pretzels to restaurants such as Tavern on the Green, Cafe on the Green, and the Loeb Boathouse. Some of the recreational concessions include ice rinks, indoor tennis bubbles, horse stables, marinas, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_Department_of_Parks_and_Recreation

[CS Foltz]

Knowing New York City, any and all vendors are licensed to do whatever they are permitted for. Not sure just how much revenue this would generate, but beats nothing at all like goes on now! Maybe a portion of that could be plowed back into the Parks maintainance and upkeep?

[stjr]

stjr, do you know the budget for NYC's parks and recreation office??  If you use city/metro size as a factor, our budget should be about 1/12 the size of theirs.  I wonder where it actually falls.  

It appears that for FY 2010, NYC's Parks and Recreation budget is $389 million.  However, they estimate FY 2010 at $318 million.  I can't tell at this point why the big drop.  Just sharing it since 2010 may have something special included.

Here is the NYC budget broken down by departments with Parks and Recreation on page 66:  http://www.nyc.gov/html/omb/downloads/pdf/jul10_fp.pdf

[thelakelander]

What is Jacksonville's estimate budget for parks?

[stjr]

What is Jacksonville's estimate budget for parks?

Apparently, very little, Lake!  By the City's own admission:

Parks Comparison

Despite boasting the largest urban park system in the state of Florida, the City of Jacksonville spends the least per person on the maintenance, care and programming of those parks.

From what I can tell, the below quotes are CoJ's budget components that, generously speaking, might be considered park monies.  The apparent total of just under $17 million comes to just under $21 per resident based on 800,000 of us in Duval County.  That is HALF of the already ridiculously low chart shown above.  I am estimating New York at about $38 per resident based on above lower 2011 budget estimate of $318 million and its 2009 city population of about 8.4 million.

Bottom line:  New York appears to spend about 81% more per capita than Jacksonville on parks. And, based on COJ's own chart for Florida cities, New York isn't exactly overspending itself, at least with public funds.  If one assumes private monies match the NYC's contribution, bringing NY to about $76 per resident, Jax would be exceeded by NYC by 261%!

No matter how you slice it, we are way under investing in our park system.  No city more than one like Jax needs to pursue partnerships with nonprofits, citizens, and companies to make our parks what they need to be.

Jax Recreation and Community Programming

The Recreation and Community Programming division provides recreational opportunities through community centers, youth and adult athletic leagues, and seasonal swimming facilities. It also issues permits and rents non-staffed community centers and pavilions. This division has 90 employees.

This year community centers will expand services by partnering with non-profit agencies to provide educational and enrichment activities. Club Rec will provide afterschool activities for more than 800 children at 20 locations. The Teen Warehouse program will expand to eight community centers with separate rooms, amenities and activities for teenagers. The Great Outdoor Adventure program will extend to all staffed community centers serving pre-kindergarteners.

Summer programs will be expanded to weekend evenings, providing family activities to residents of Health Zone One. It will continue to work with organizations like Babe Ruth Baseball, Pop Warner football and other associations to provide team sports for more than 20,000 city youth. The division will contract to expand programs to include dance, yoga and art.
Budget:

In 2010, the budget for Recreation and Community Programming is $8,911,142.

Jax Waterfront Management and Programming Division

This division operates nature preserves and public land that is environmentally sensitive and culturally significant, offers environmental education programs and restores and maintains fragile ecosystems. It also acquires new land for preservation throughout the county. This division has three employees.

There are several construction projects scheduled for this year include work at Betz-Tiger Point Preserve, Reddie Point Preserve and Thomas Creek Preserve. Construction plans include new restrooms will be built at the Imeson Road Trailhead and Harborview Boat Ramp, a water taxi station at the Alimicani Boat Ramp, and additional parking at Palms Fish Camp.  There will be both public safety and wildlife resource protection improvements at Huguenot Memorial Park.
Budget:

In 2010, the budget for this division is $3,691,668.

Jax Engineering and Construction Management Division

With 59 employees this division plans, designs and oversees construction of public works projects such as buildings, roadways, drainage improvements, parks and other assorted public infrastructure needs.  The Construction Management group has responsibility for inspection of city-funded projects.  The division also manages survey and topographical services for the city.

This fiscal year, in addition to overseeing the construction of three fire stations, the division will also manage the construction of three town center projects, the Laura Street redevelopment project and other streetscape enhancements across the community.  Leading the city’s efforts to update the Master Stormwater Management Plan, the division will also oversee 23 new drainage improvement projects (in various phases of pre-design, design and construction), which are funded by the Jacksonville Stormwater Utility.
Budget:

In 2010, the budget for this division is $4,352,414.

Jax City Budget:  http://www.myjaxbudget.com/Departments/departmentindex.aspx

[duvaldude08]

compared to other cities out parks suck! For example, confederate park (1st and main) has the potential to be a BEAUTIFUL park like it once was, however the we've allowed drug dealing and prostitution to take over. And we let hogan creek go to the dogs. We need to take our parks back and take care of them!

[simms3]

I've been to parks in other cities, but nowadays I can only really compare to Atlanta.  I get so mad every time I hear some Jax idiot boast of having the largest park system in the country.  I can't think of one park in Jacksonville besides Stockton, Baker Point, or Memorial Park that I would use.  It should be false advertising for the city to make such points and they should be slapped with a fine every time they do until they realize how crappy the parks are and do something to remedy the situation.

I have always harped that while everyone in this town moves here because its so cheap and they want it to remain cheap (local taxes, fees, housing prices, etc) it really shows.  Our budget for everything is so much smaller than other cities' and our parks seem to bear the brunt of the low budget.  If Jacksonville just had one park that could be compared to Piedmont, Centennial Olympic, Candler, Chastain, or any number of others in Atlanta, we would have improved 100%.  Each of those parks plays host to weddings, markets, parties/receptions, the Botanical Gardens, a private club in a public park!! (Piedmont Driving Club in Piedmont Park), continuous expansion and rehabilitation, public swimming in facilities almost as nice as a private club, etc.  Because of all of this the inner city parks themselves are an attraction enough to bring suburanites in.  There is the Dogwood Festival, Paul McCartney held a concert with 60,000 tickets sold for Piedmont Park, Spring on the Green every week (movies and wine in the park), Sweetwater 420 Fest, Octoberfest, damn come to think of it the whole city is involved in activities in the various parks and now the city of Atlanta is building a $2.8 billion park that will loop around the whole inner city and eventually include light rail.

I know someone showed how little we spend on parks compared to FL cities' park systems, but none of those systems can even come close to comparing to the park system in Atlanta, and that should be where we strive.

I think it's a shame we have the Klutho/Confederate Parks, Riverside Park, Boone Park, all the parks in Ortega, Memorial Park, and a host of other parks and they are all worthless S**T.  With their current level of upkeep nobody uses them and they would actually be better as divided lots ready to be built on.  There is no difference between us having no parks and what we have now.

This whole town is run down because it is soooo cheap.  Private partnerships do a lot, but so do normal milleage rates (our current rate of 16.2? is still far less than 19, which is where it was before not too long ago, and it should be higher than that).

[stjr]

This whole town is run down because it is soooo cheap.  Private partnerships do a lot, but so do normal millage rates (our current rate of 16.2? is still far less than 19, which is where it was before not too long ago, and it should be higher than that).

+1

Get what you pay for.  Same with our education system.  Florida is 50th out of 50th.  And Rubio, Scott, and company want to lower taxes some more.