$10.5 billion Needed for Local Parks
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Report Documents Funding Needed by Local Park Departments
For Immediate Release
December 5, 2007
Contacts: Anne Nelson, TPL (850) 212-0846
Eleanor Warmack, FRPA (850) 878-3221
Sharon Berrian, LOC (850) 222-9684
Cragin Mosteller, FAC (850) 922-4300
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 – What would Florida’s communities be like without their local parks? Miami without Curtis Park? Tampa without the Ribbon of Green Riverwalk? Tallahassee without the Miccosukee Canopy Road Greenway? Or Port St. Lucie without Veterans Park? The fact is, all these parks exist in whole or in part due to funding provided by the state's Florida Forever program, through Florida Communities Trust.
A new report released today suggests that the need for local parks like these isn't waning, it's growing. Local park departments have documented $10.5 billion they'll need to acquire land for new parks and maintain existing parks.
Co-authored by The Trust for Public Land, Florida Recreation and Park Association, Florida League of Cities, and Florida Association of Counties, Florida Parks in the 21st Century 2008 is based on data provided directly by city and county park departments.
“The report not only makes a compelling case for key local governments' park funding,” said Greg Chelius, Florida Director of The Trust for Public Land. “It also offers compelling evidence for the need for continued funding for the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) and the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP).”
Since its creation in 1991, FCT has made more than $667 million of grants for more than 450 parks in 200 communities. Together FCT and FRDAP have helped communities create a vast network of more than 500 parks and recreational sites. Both programs are components of the state’s Florida Forever Program.
“The great continuing challenge for Florida is figuring out how to grow in a sustainable way that preserves community character, outdoor opportunities, and economic vitality,” said Tom Pelham, Secretary of the Florida Department of Community Affairs. “Florida Communities Trust may be the single best tool available for cities and counties to re-invest in established communities in order to provide parks and recreational amenities.”
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The report was released to the public today at the annual Public Land Acquisition and Management (PLAM) conference in Sarasota. It is available online at www.tpl.org/floridaforever.
“Through the support of local and state parks and our vitally important Florida Forever Program, each of us can play a role in assuring the protection of our green spaces while continuing to provide recreational areas to get more Floridians outdoors,” said State Senator Burt Saunders.
The $10.5 billion catalogued in Florida Parks in the 21st Century 2008 includes three categories:
Land acquisition: $4.36 billion to preserve 120,000 acres needed to meet the level of recreational and outdoors services identified in local Comprehensive Plans.
Renovations and Restorations: $2.29 billion to maintain existing local facilities, including playgrounds, ball fields, trails, beaches, and activity centers.
New Facilities: $3.86 billion to design and build new park amenities.
“Florida Communities Trust investments with Martin County have been used to purchase 120 acres of oceanfront and riverfront property, allowing Martin County to provide beach and river access for our community and approximately 250,000 visitors annually,” said Doug Smith, Martin County Commissioner. “It is through such cooperative efforts that restoration and conservation will be a successful reality for Florida's future.”
“Parks, trails, fields, recreation centers are some of the complex elements of a community that attract visitors and lure residents to Florida,” said Greg Scott, director of the Suwannee County Parks and Recreation Department and President of the Florida Recreation and Park Association. “They define the shape and feel of our neighborhoods, and are the engine that drives healthy lifestyles and livable communities … An investment in our parks, open space and environment is one that continues to provide the highest return to our citizens.”
Florida Parks in the 21st Century 2008 complements other data on land conservation and management needs across Florida. The report does include financial needs of state and national parks, or the needs for the protection of wildlife habitat, watersheds, or other natural areas.
“We must protect the environment for our future and the future of Florida's citizens,” said Frank Ortis, Mayor of Pembroke Pines and President of the Florida League of Cities. “As president of the Florida League of Cities, I am committed to helping our cities stand on the front lines to protect Florida's green space.”
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