Public Workshop
Parks Forward Initiative
September 30, 2013
1:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Eureka, CA
www.parksforward.com
Welcome and Introductions
Objectives
 Learn about Parks Forward Initiative (PFI)
 Share perspectives and deepen understanding around
key issues being addressed by PFI; provide public
input
 Meeting the needs of all Californians
 Sustainable funding
 Effective partnerships
 Open House: Opportunity to ask questions and share
views with State Parks and PFI staff
Workshop Agenda
TIME
TOPIC
1:00 PM
Welcome and Introductions
1:25 PM
Overview of Parks Forward Initiative
1:50 PM
Theme 1: Meeting the Needs of All Californians
3:00 PM
Break
3:15 PM
Theme 2: Sustainable Funding
4:10 PM
Theme 3: Partnerships
4:50 PM
Closing Remarks
5:00 PM
OPEN HOUSE
5:30 PM
Adjourn
Proposed Ground Rules
 Please focus your input on the workshop objectives
 Everyone is encouraged to provide input
 Invite written comments
 Honor the agenda and time limits for oral comment
 Respectful interaction
 Cell phones off/silent
Overview of
Parks Forward Initiative
Parks Forward Initiative
 Parks Forward Initiative – goals and objectives
 Legislative driver – AB 1478
 Parks Forward Commission
 12 members appointed by Secretary of CA Natural Resources
Agency
 Distinct from State Parks Commission
 Funded by Resources Legacy Fund
 Combination of five non-profit foundations
 Parks Forward staff, CA Department of Parks staff, independent
consultants
Parks Forward Initiative
Process and Timeline
 Survey of CA State Parks employees, focus group meetings (July/Aug)
 10 public workshops statewide to gather information and promote
more detailed comments (September/October)
 Data gathering and analysis by consultants
 6 Parks Forward Commission Meetings
o
o
o
o
o
o
September 18, 2013, Sacramento
December 2013, Sacramento
February 2014, Los Angeles
April 2014, San Francisco (Draft Plan prepared for Public Comment)
August 2014, Sacramento (Final Plan Adopted)
May 2015, Sacramento (Implementation Follow Up & Potential Plan Refinement)
2014
2015
Themes
1. Meeting the needs of all Californians
2. Sustainable funding
3. Partnerships
Public Input Process
 Initiate public comment with 2-3 guest speakers
 Estimate number of public commenters; identify
comment duration period
 Desired speakers fill out speaker cards
 Speakers provide input
 Invited to speak to “focus questions”
 Additional comments: comment forms or sticky notes
Theme 1:
Meeting Needs of CA
What is working well, what is not working well, and what key
improvements could be made to ensure state parks better
meet the needs of all Californians in your region?
Focus Questions:
1. How would you characterize those groups currently using the state parks in
your region, and those groups of potential park visitors that are underserved
and under-represented today by your state parks?
2. What types of parks or park services, facilities, programs, and activities are
required to meet the needs of both existing and future visitors?
3. Under what conditions and by what criteria should any new State Parks be
created or new acreage added to existing state parks?
Theme 2:
Sustainable Funding
What should be done to ensure the long-term financial
sustainability of State Parks?
Focus Questions:
1. Should State Parks aim for self-sufficiency, or should it always receive some
dependable level of support from the state? If the latter, what State Park
functions merit at least some state funding?
2. What is the right mix of funding sources for State Parks among those
available, including general fund, taxation, user fees, service and concession
revenue, corporate, philanthropy?
3. What specific, significant opportunities are there to reduce costs, increase
revenues, or otherwise prioritize spending within State Parks?
Theme 3:
Partnerships
What are the opportunities for improving and/or expanding
use of alternative operating arrangements that could
enhance visitor experiences while improving long-term
financial sustainability of State Parks?
Focus Questions:
1. What is working and what is not working in existing park operating
partnerships and cooperative management arrangements in your region?
2. What are the most appropriate roles and functions for partners to perform
relating to operation of State Parks?
3. What can State Parks do to better support and manage effective operating
partnerships?
Next Steps:
Upcoming Workshops
Eureka and Auburn: 1:00-5:30 PM
All other Workshops: 3:00-7:30 PM
Region
Location
Central
CA
Santa Cruz
September 9th
Louden Nelson
Community
Center
Fresno
September 10th
University Square
Hotel
San Luis Obispo
September 11th
City/County
Library
Northern
CA
Eureka
September 30th
Humboldt Bay
Aquatic Center
San Rafael
October 2nd
Embassy Suites
Auburn
October 3rd
Holiday Inn
Auburn
Southern
CA
San Diego
October 14th
San Diego Center
for Civic
Engagement
Inland Empire
October 15th
Doubletree
Ontario Airport
Orange County
October 16th
Crowne Plaza
Anaheim
Los Angeles
October 17th
Radisson at USC
Open House
 Station 1: Meeting the Needs of All Californians (Theme 1)
 Station 2: Sustainable Funding (Theme 2)
 Station 3: Partnerships (Theme 3)
 Station 4: Questions about Parks Forward Initiative
More opportunities to submit written comments (comment forms)
Submit Comments
 Website: www.parksforward.com
 Email: info@parksforward.com
 Mail (US Postal Service):
Parks Forward Initiative
California Natural Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1414
Sacramento, CA 95814