Greensboro Plan2Play Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2019

84 - FEBRUARY 2019

Goal: Ensure resources are in place so that all Greensboro parks, facilities and programs are high quality, safe and well-maintained. The Department has many older parks and facilities that need improvements due to issues with age, access, and deferred maintenance. Bring up the Basics outlines recommendations to provide equitable reinvestment in the resources that Greensboro has today to provide consistent, high quality spaces for future generations. The community has made clear, through the community survey and ongoing engagement, that the priority for investment is the enhancement and improvement of existing resources. Top community priorities for investment include upgrading existing park buildings/ recreation facilities and centers (95% support) and upgrading existing neighborhood and community parks (93% support). Fundamental to this strategy is the principle that the Department should first pursue initiatives that improve or rebuild existing facilities and should focus on maximizing the current inventory of #1 ENHANCE Bring up the Basics

At the same time, it should be tied to economic value creation. Previous sources of funding for the Capital Improvement Plan have largely been from General Funds, park bonds, and some facility fees. This continued public funding will be an essential piece of a broader funding strategy, including expanded partnerships, continued grants, and a critical look at cost recovery. In addition, it will also be critical to establish a defined capital funding stream within the Department's annual budget. Key steps include: • Establish a defined capital funding stream - Include this within the Department's annual budget. Tie project recommendations to future Capital Improvement Plans. • Continue to pursue bonds - Build on the successful recent bond and the community’s stated support for spending on improvement of existing facilities and prepare for another bond cycle by determining key projects and needs. • Establish return-on-investment

parks and facilities before considering the development of new facilities or new sites. In addition, parks and facilities should be allowed to have distinct identities with unique and equitable recreational offerings while still being part of a larger system. This will create truly memorable and vibrant places for play and gathering.

Action 1a. Create and fund a sustainable plan to address deferred maintenance for all Department assets.

Many of Greensboro’s facilities are well- loved by the communities they serve; yet, they are not able to fully meet community needs due to maintenance funding challenges. In particular, indoor recreation facilities, which were built primarily in the 1950s to mid-1990s, have not been significantly updated since they were first constructed. Upgrading assets will improve experience and visitorship, allow more program alternatives to take place within them, and, ultimately, increase investments within the surrounding neighborhoods. The strategy should be comprehensive, and plan for both capital and ongoing maintenance needs for new investments.

metrics - In tandem with public spending, establish return-on- investment metrics for investments