‘Park Preservation Work Group’ set up to work on $ issues

With so much city parkland in West Seattle, this news release just sent by the Mayor’s Office might be of interest. (The group it “announces” has already had its first meeting, though, if the timetable in the last paragraph is correct.)

Mayor Mike McGinn and City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw today announced the formation of the Parks Preservation Work Group, charged with advising the Mayor, City Council and Parks and Recreation on a range of options for generating more revenue and finding efficiencies that could reduce costs in the 2013 operating budget and beyond.

“Seattle’s love for parks is part of what makes our city special,” said Mayor Mike McGinn. “And with our challenging city budget, we need to think outside of the box if we are going to protect our parks system. I look forward to the recommendations of the Parks Preservation Work Group.”

The impetus for creation of the group is Parks’ challenges sustaining its operating budget in the wake of new parks and facilities built with funding from voter-approved levies, and in the face of continuing budget reductions. Parks’ budget has been reduced by some $12 million over the past two years. There is a clear need to put the agency’s budget on a more sustainable track.

“Our parks system is world renowned; it helps define who we are. I want to ensure that we have the best operated and maintained parks system of any in our country. This committee will help us achieve that,” said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw.

The Parks and Recreation values the City wishes to preserve are access, opportunity and sustainability. The working group will:

Review Parks and Recreation’s existing array of revenue sources;
Review revenue enhancing examples from other jurisdictions;
Assess the pros and cons of revenue and restructuring opportunities; and
Develop recommendations to be considered in the 2013 City budget process.

The group’s process will result in the development of specific recommendations for expanding Parks’ funding sources and/or restructuring the agency’s work, and an increased public awareness of the need for new funding sources and understanding of the group’s recommendations.

The group will meet four times, on April 20 and 27 and May 4 and 11 at 7:30 a.m. in the Park Board Room at the Parks Administration Building at 100 Dexter Ave. N. At the conclusion of the meetings, Parks staff will prepare a summary document that identifies options, highlights potential revenue increases and/or cost savings, and describes a process for public review and possible implementation for each option.

The group members are:

Thatcher Bailey, Seattle Parks Foundation
Jerry Everard, Attorney, Groff Murphy
Ian Gordon, Union Local 1239
Bill Keller, Associated Recreation Council
Diana Kincaid, Board of Park Commissioners
Brice Maryman¸ Board of Park Commissioners
Beth Purcell, Seattle Parks Foundation Board member
Barbara Wright, Board of Park Commissioners
Jerry Tone, Seattle Parks Foundation Board President

marty April 20, 2012 (11:38 am)

Let’s hope they focus on cost-cutting rather than increased user fees.

DLR April 20, 2012 (12:28 pm)

perhaps an overhaul of the work ethics, of the park employees doing the work would help. The employees are well paid compared to the private sector. Perhaps they too should keep up a professional work ethic. This does not include 45 minute work breaks at 7-11 starting at 7:20 am.

Community groups work hard and for free to support their own parks. Those getting well paid should be trying at least to do as much.

old timer April 20, 2012 (1:46 pm)

I’d like to see them devise a policy that prohibits any new park
acquisition that does not provide for it’s maintenance.
Maybe something like reducing the total pile of money used to buy land, with the remainder sequestered into a maintenance budget.
They can not continue to add to the areas under their responsibility without giving any thought as to how those areas are to be cared for.