Hi Friends........Here's some more information on the upcoming Parks Plan public hearing. Please try to attend this meeting and testify before the Assembly. A show of force will be key to keeping the Coastal Trail moving forward.
SUBJECT: Nov. 8 Anchorage Assembly Public Hearing
The Anchorage Assembly will take public testimony Nov. 8 on the following:
* the Park Plan that reflects three years of public process and passed unanimously by the Anchorage Park & Recreation Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission;
* the Parks & Recreation Operating Budget;
* and the Parks & Recreation Capital Improvement Budget and long range Capital Improvement Plan.
If you support Parks & Recreation and plan to testify, you may be interested in having information on these topics.
Park Plan
Communities with adopted park plans can demonstrate that they know what they want and they plan to work together to accomplish their goals.
* Park plans attract grants (in 2005 Anchorage did not secure a Kroc grant for a Muldoon Community Center. An adopted park plan may well have buoyed the proposal).
* Park plans attract investment (investors in the Anchorage Park Foundation will look to an adopted park plan as a sign that the community of Anchorage is united and values investment).
* Park plans engage the community and involve community in the vision for the future (Anchorage logged over 4428 volunteer hours in Clean & Green, Safe & Secure campaign the summer of 2005. People are excited about making a difference in their parks).
The Anchorage Park Plan sets policy goals and allows policy makers to craft work plans and budgets that reflect community priorities.
Parks & Recreation Operating Budget
Public comment has consistently reinforced the message, maintain what we have. People want Clean & Green, Safe & Secure parks and trails.
* The proposed 2006 operating budget for Anchorage Parks & Recreation contains no increases.
* The department is working to accomplish voiced community goals within existing budget constraints.
* After 15 years of budget cuts, a "hold the line" budget won't satisfy the public demand for improved maintenance and safety. Further cuts would erode the department's ability to address public need.
Parks & Recreation Capital Improvement Budget and long range Capital Improvement Plan
* Parks & Recreation has over $100 million of deferred maintenance costs to address.
* Public sentiment is "take better care of what we have." The CIB/CIP focuses on rebuilding our existing parks, trails and facilities so that they can be safely enjoyed by Anchorage residents and visitors.
* The CIB/CIP is a balanced list of park projects that will be leveraged with private contributions and state and federal grants to improve community-supported parks.
2005 Parks & Recreation Accomplishments
Community generated park plan goals led to the following accomplishments in 2005.
* opened 4 Park District offices, increased facility hours to seven days per week, and increased participation levels with new programs for health and fitness;
* launched Clean & Green, Safe & Secure logging 4428 volunteer hours, making a difference in 30 parks and responding to the public demand;
* established the Anchorage Park Foundation and raised over $762,000 in contributions;
* completed a major public involvement program and developed a Strategic Action Plan with a clear public mandate for well maintained and safe parks for our residents;
* developed a public-driven Capital Improvement Plan;
* and received over $7 million in federal and state grants for renovation of existing and new park improvements and now have over 26 park improvement projects in design for construction in 2006.
For more information on these Parks & Recreation issues respond to this email at wwcrsp&r@muni.org.
Nov. 8 Anchorage Assembly Public Hearing, 5pm-11pm
Assembly Chambers, Loussac Library - 3600 Denali &endash; Room 108