The November 2006 Fairmount Park Reform Task Force report estimated that the Fairmount Park’s current operating budget ($14 million) is about 50% of what is needed ($30 million), and recommended that the Fairmount Park Commission be allowed to retain income generated on park lands, estimated to be $3 to 5 million.
Do you support this proposal? If not, why not?
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The constant under-funding of our park system is not acceptable and it will not continue under my administration. I plan to find a dedicated source of revenue to make needed investments in this precious resource that has the ability to attract business and improve the quality of life for residents.
The state uses the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund as a stable resource of funding for its parks by using 15 percent of the Pennsylvania real estate transfer tax fund. This could serve as model for Philadelphia to provide sufficient resources to Fairmount Park.
I encourage you to view my full energy and greening plan at www.evansformayor.com.
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I support allowing Fairmount Park to retain a portion of the income generated on park lands, which could produce between $3 million and $5 million annually with more aggressive management. I will also increase city funding to parks using revenues from water and sewer services sold to suburban neighbors.
The Fattah Administration will set up a Fairmount Park Fund, like the city’s Aviation Fund and Water Fund, to increase the transparency of Fairmount Park funding and serve as a vehicle to raise private funds to complement the work of the Fairmount Park Conservancy.
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I do support the proposal. Many other parks keep income generated on park land and Fairmount Park should be able to do the same.
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Yes. As Mayor, I will work with City Council to expand and diversify the funding sources for Fairmount Park. The broad and diverse governance structure outlined above would be better positioned to pursue various strategies for increasing the funding of the Park system.
That funding is significantly inadequate and has been frozen at about $13 million for most of the past decade. This level of funding is a small fraction of the per capita and per acre funding levels of our peer cities and experts estimate that an appropriate Park budget would be at least $30 million per year. Three critical sources of new funding for the Park are: (1) working with City Council to allow the Park to retain some of the revenues that are now and could be in the future generated inside the Park system, including user fees and new market-based concession and other activities; (2) the capture of environmental costs through new grants and fees that recognize the importance of the Park to the region’s watershed, including possible surcharges on water and sewer fees, and contributions to the Park from the City’s water fund; and (3) the creation of a new “Fairmount Park Fund” as a transparent vehicle for current budgeting within the City budget process and to channel new fundraising efforts, especially in coordination with private donors and possible sources in the suburban counties. The existence of such a lockbox fund facilitates fundraising efforts by making needs clear, maintenance of existing efforts certain, and ensuring the dedication of new resources to Park activities exclusively.
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In order for the Fairmount Park Commission to successfully pursue new sources of revenue, a change to the existing enabling legislation for the park commission must be made. Specifically, the Fairmount Park Commission must be allowed to retain the revenue that it generates. At present, the supplementary act of 1868 (53 P.S. Section 16485) requires that all funds collected or received by the Commission in exchange for use of the park must be returned to the General Fund for the City of Philadelphia.
This section discourages the Fairmount Park Commission from engaging in entrepreneurial activity and seeking additional sources of revenue. As Mayor, I will advocate for repeal and or modification of this legislation to create an incentive for the generation of new streams of revenue.
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Key to any new initiatives with regard to Fairmount Park is the reform of its governance structure, which I discuss in detail below. With a new, accountable management structure in place, the Fairmount Park Commission will be able to undertake any necessary initiatives, including marketing the park to tourists.
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How would you better market Fairmount Park to tourists?
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Fairmount Park is one of our city’s greatest treasures, and should be a major draw for tourists. By highlighting specific park attractions, we can get more people into Fairmount Park, where they will discover more parts of its sprawling natural beauty.
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I intend to be an active promoter of this city and all of its attraction, not only the park. Philadelphia is a great place to live, work, and visit. We have a world-class art museum, a vibrant nightlife, 83 nearby universities, and four major sports teams. The only thing that is missing is a government worthy of this city and the people in it.
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Is there compelling evidence that the Park System is a significant potential tourist destination, rather than the treasured natural and recreational amenity for residents that we know it to be? I would welcome seeing such evidence and weighing the costs and benefits of pursuing a relevant strategy.
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I believe that we should link the marketing efforts of the Park with our overall marketing efforts for the City through the Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation. This group has had remarkable success in marketing Philadelphia to tourists, and I believe the two should coordinate efforts to help highlight the tremendous asset Fairmount Park represents.
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Presently, the Fairmount Park Commissioners are selected by the Board of Judges.
The Fairmount Park Reform Task Force report suggested that Park board members be selected by the Mayor from three nominees chosen by a nominating committee who would be selected by the Mayor from designated backgrounds and disciplines (i.e. one from a horticultural organization, one from an arts and culture organization, etc.).
Within the first year of your administration, will you support legislation in Council effecting these Task Force recommendations? If not, why not?
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I support a change to the governance structure of Fairmount Park, which would include changing the selection process.
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I have already proposed that, as Mayor, I will work with City Council to preserve an independent Fairmount Park Commission using a new and more accountable system that puts qualified people in charge of the Park.
I will support legislation that draw Commissioners from three distinct constituencies: City government; the non-profit trusts and organizations that support the Park and protect the environment; and representatives of user groups such as runners, bikers, hikers, softballers, birders, etc., including representatives from the four suburban PA counties. A Nominating Committee named by the Mayor would submit a slate of qualified Commissioners. The Mayor would select from the nominated slate and City Council would utilize a confirmation process to appoint Commissioners.
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As Mayor, I will work to transform the Fairmount Park Commission. My plan for reforming the Fairmount Park Commission is as follows: First, the Executive Director of the Fairmount Park Commission should be appointed by and be directly accountable to the Mayor. Second, instead of the 16 member commission, a smaller board of directors should be established. The members of this board of directors will be appointed by the Mayor and City Solicitor, respectively.
Ideally, the members of this Board of Directors would consist of key stakeholders within the City of Philadelphia. The interests of private businesses and organizations, who are partnered with the Fairmount Park Commission, would be represented. The Executive Director of the Fairmount Park Commission would then report to the board of directors on a periodic basis, and seek proper authorization to undertake the business of the Fairmount Park Commission.
If restructured in the above manner, the Fairmount Park Commission would be led by a single individual, resulting in increased accountability and organizational effectiveness.
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I support the recommendations by the Fairmount Park Reform Task Force as I believe that the current system is not ideal. As mayor, I will look to change the Home Rule Charter to allow for an improved appointment process. By ending the secret selection by political insiders who have no connection to the public, dynamic leaders can help evolve this park into the treasured asset that it should be.
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Yes. I will support efforts to amend the City Charter to replace the Fairmount Park Commission with an independent Board of Trustees chosen by the Mayor from a list submitted by a Fairmount Park Nominating Panel. City Council will be asked to approve the members of the board.
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