Portland Parks invites the public to participate in two important conversations.
Budget -
As we start the budget planning process for fiscal year 2010/11, the City of Portland continues to face uncertainties from the ongoing financial crisis, including reduced state and federal funding and reduced General Fund discretionary dollars. As with the development of the current year's budget, the City will take a conservative approach in preparing next year's bureau budgets.
What does that mean? Things don't look great - last year Portland Parks & Recreation reduced its General Fund discretionary budget by approximately $2 Million - this reduction translated into the loss of the three planners, increased program fees and we didn't hire several positions that were vacant.
The impact to the public meant less staff was available to help to create and improve parks in your community AND fewer opportunities to enjoy the amenities that do exist.
FY - 2010-11
This years financial forecast could be this bad again. There has been suggestion that Portland Parks & Recreation will be asked to reduce it's budget again by up to 5%. This could mean as much as $2 Million. There is little left 'behind the scenes' and cost increases can not fill the gap again.
What are your priorities? Let us know...
Public Priorities and Parks Budget
Monday, November 30th
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Benson High School, 546 NE 12th
Childcare available by calling 503-823-5113, before November 25th
Budget information can be found at www.portlandonline.com/parks/budget
Proposed Code Changes -
For more than fifty years, Portland Parks & Recreation and Portland Public Schools have worked together to provide thousands of children, youth, and adults sports programming and recreational opportunities on hundreds of sports fields in almost every neighborhood in the city.
Problem
The need for sports fields has increased steadily over the past two decades – as the population continues to grow and need increases, we fall further behind in our ability to provide adequate recreational facilities to children, youth, and adults in the city
Current studies regarding obesity and access to nature indicate an increasingly critical need for children and youth to be exposed to outdoor recreational activities
Current code language limits our ability to improve existing fields to address the growing need
High levels of use on currently available fields degrades those fields more quickly and clusters impacts to certain neighborhoods
Current code language is ambiguous or silent on when review (and public notice) is required for sports fields.
Since December of 2008, Portland Parks & Recreation, the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability and Portland Public Schools have been working together to clarify and refine City Code to allow these agencies to better meet the needs of all Portlanders.
General Approach to Changing the Code
1. Create measurable thresholds to more clearly indicate exactly when Conditional Use (CU) reviews are required (includes public notice).
2. Improve public notice procedures when CUs are not required. Require school districts and/or Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) to provide notice to neighbors where field changes are proposed. The notice will provide information on proposed changes, opportunities for input and contact information for staff.
3. Identify parameters for using a Good Neighbor Agreement (GNA) as a tool to address both the concerns of the community and the need for Parks and Schools to provide safe, adequate recreational opportunities to children, youth, and adults in the City of Portland.
Public Need/ Public Impacts, Workshop on Proposed Code Changes to Public Fields
Thursday, December 3rd
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Beaumont Middle School, 4043 NE Fremont
Childcare available by calling 503-823-5113, before November 30th
Elizabeth Kennedy-Wong
Community Engagement and Public Involvement Manager
Portland Parks and Recreation
(503) 823-5113
Elizabeth Kennedy-Wong
Community Engagement and Public Involvement Manager
Portland Parks and Recreation
(503) 823-5113
