Partnering for Parks Intergovernmental Options in Providing For Parks and Recreation Ann Conklin, CPRP Chief Operating Officer 2465 Woodlake Circle, Suite 180 Okemos, MI 48864 517-485-9888 aconklin@lmrpaonline.org Harry Burkholder, AICP Community Planner II 324 Munson Avenue Traverse City, MI 49686 231-929-3696 burkholder@liaa.org February 29 , 2012
Partnering For Parks What we’ll cover: Part I. The important role of local parks and recreation Why are communities considering options for cooperation? What are some of the barriers to cooperation? Part II. What are some of the options for cooperation and what’s right for your community? Recreational Authorities Act (Public Act 321 of 2000: MCL 123.1131 et seq.) The millage option - can your community do it? Questions 2
Partnering For Parks Important Role of Local Parks and Recreation Literature Touts the Value/Benefits of Recreation • Physical • Environmental • Social • Economic and Sense-of-Place Physical Benefits Increased physical activity - reduce the risks of chronic diseases and mental illness 53% of Michigan residents get less than 30 minutes a day of leisure-time physical activity 24% of Michigan adults reported no leisure-time physical activity Michigan Surgeon General Report, 2004 3
Partnering For Parks Important Role of Local Parks and Recreation Physical Benefits Combat obesity epidemic • 1/3 of U.S. adults are considered obese • 12.5 million children & adolescents are considered obese • In Michigan, just over 26% of the population is considered obese 4
Partnering For Parks Important Role of Local Parks and Recreation Environmental Benefits Greenspaces help reduce water runoff - prevent septic system overload Parks (with large mature trees) help remove smoke, dust and other air pollutants Parks protect wildlife and support biodiversity Social Benefits Fundamental element of community development • Help reduce crime • Support child development • Create stable neighborhoods 5
Partnering For Parks Important Role of Local Parks and Recreation Economic & Sense-of-Place Benefits Iconic symbols that define community and shape identity 6
Partnering For Parks Important Role of Local Parks and Recreation Economic & Sense-of-Place Benefits Iconic symbols that define community and shape identity (Michigan) 7
Partnering For Parks Important Role of Local Parks and Recreation Economic & Sense-of-Place Benefits Millennium Park - Chicago Cost: $475 million Annual Visitors: 4 million Estimated Economic Impact: Over $5 billion 8
Partnering For Parks Important Role of Local Parks and Recreation Economic & Sense-of-Place Benefits Dallas: $20 Million St. Louis: City Garden $25 Million Oklahoma City: $130 Million Tampa: $43 Million 9
Partnering For Parks Important Role of Local Parks and Recreation Economic & Sense-of-Place Benefits Traverse City: $2.3 million • DNR Grants • DDA Contributions 10
Partnering For Parks Important Role of Local Parks and Recreation Economic & Sense-of-Place Benefits City of Charlevoix - East Park (2009): $13 million • Michigan Waterway Commission Grant • DDA Contributions 11
Partnering For Parks Important Role of Local Parks and Recreation Economic & Sense-of-Place Benefits Increase Property Values Oakland County properties within a ½ mile to bike paths have increased property value by as much as 6.3% MSU - Land Policy Institute (2008) Increased Revenue Increased Tourism The Rifle River Recreation Area (4,450 acres) in Ogemaw County created 37 jobs and had an economic impact of $1,788,095 MSU - Land Policy Institute (2010) Attracts affluent retirees and knowledge workers 12
Partnering For Parks Why are communities considering options for cooperation? Increased Costs Falling Revenue Michigan’s Municipal Funding Crises In every year since 2000, the State has not fully returned revenue sharing, as required by state statute Ten consecutive years of cuts have left local communities more than $4 billion short in revenue sharing Source: Michigan Municipal League Results • Cut Services • Raise Revenues • Share and/or Consolidate Services “Given all the circumstances, we need to look at service consolidation, service sharing between jurisdictions, how we can be more cost effective, how we can work better together.” - Michigan Governor Rick Snyder; State of the State Address , January 2011 13
Partnering For Parks Michigan Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) 2008 - 2012 Department of Natural Resources Survey Findings (Recreation Administrators of communities who have recreation plans filed with the state) Suggested Initiatives for Michigan: 1.More funding 2.Cooperation/collaboration 3.More advertising/marketing $460 million needed for capital improvements - more than what’s available 14
Partnering For Parks Survey Findings - Continued Projected Funding Sources for Capital Improvements • Approximately ¼ will come from tax dollars • Approximately ¾ will come from grants (state and other) Over the last five years, the proportion of agencies increasing their dependence on user fees, millages and private gifts increased for each type of government Over the next five years, most local units of government expect to further increase their dependency on user fees, millages, private gifts and volunteers and decrease their dependency on general fund dollars 15
Partnering For Parks What are some of the barriers to cooperation? Turf Fear of large government Lack of incentives Lack of knowledge General resistance to change Lack of leadership Gain is too far out in time (not in my term of office) Unequal partners Distrust Elections Lack of shared vision Win-lose attitudes More work to do Where to start Debt More work to do History of past disputes Fear of losing control Reluctance to give up control of legacy investments 16
Partnering For Parks Overcoming the Barriers We need to work across jurisdictions to better understand the potential benefits • Financial benefits - economies of scale, less duplication, easier to leverage recreational assets • More effective management of natural resources, parks and recreation • Strengthens common heritage & helps preserve sense-of-place • Plans are more defensible & better defended • Residents expect governments to work together Sharing parks and recreation has proven to be one of the more agreeable forms of inter-jurisdictional cooperation 17
Partnering For Parks What are some of the administrative options for cooperation? 18
Partnering For Parks Inter-Departmental Cooperation Parks & Recreation Department and Public Works Department (same municipality) Parks & Recreation Department and/or Public Works Department (neighboring municipalities) • Equipment • Staff • Programs Friends Groups & Volunteers • Recruiting other volunteers • Maintenance • Fundraising • Youth service organizations 19
Partnering For Parks Administrative Tools for Cooperation Public/Private Partnerships • Local Businesses • Corporate Sponsors • Local non-profit organizations with shared interests (e.g. land conservancy, trail advocacy group) Example Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy Glacial Hills Pathway & Natural Area • Assist in MNRTF grant applications • Conducted environmental assessment • Cleaned up waste • Fundraising • Promotions • Purchase property • Organize trail building efforts 20
Partnering For Parks What are some of the legislative options for cooperation? and What’s right for your community? 21
Partnering For Parks Basic Cooperation Local Jurisdictions Adopt Joint Recreation Plan • Coordinate on implementation • Coordinate on funding (grant applications) • Especially useful in small communities • Allows community to focus on resources that fall within both jurisdictions Example: Fife Lake Community • Village of Fife Lake • Fife Lake Township 22
Partnering For Parks Michigan Enabling Legislation for Joint Provision of Recreation Most Well Known: Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority - Act 147 of 1939 Act Title Government Units Governing Body Township Parks and Places of 1905 - PA 157 Townships Board of Commissioners Recreation Parks, Zoological Gardens 1913 - PA 90 Counties County Park Trustees and Airports Cities, Villages, Townships, 1917 - PA 156 Recreation and Playgrounds Recreation Board Counties and School Districts Cities, Villages, Townships, 1929 - PA 312 Metropolitan District Act Charter Commission Counties and Parts Thereof Parks and Recreation 1965 - PA 261 County and Regional Parks Counties Commission Cities, Counties, Villages and Metropolitan Area 1989 - PA 292 Metropolitan Councils Act Townships Council Part 721 of 1994 Counties, Cities, Villages, Michigan Trailway Michigan Trailways - PA 451 and Townships Management Council Counties, Cities, Villages, 1967 - PA 7 Urban Cooperation Act Recreation Board and Townships Cities, Counties, Villages, 2000 - PA 321 Recreational Authorities Act Board of Directors Townships and Districts 23
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