It Starts in Parks!
City of Gainesville
Parks, Recreation and
Cultural Affairs
Department
www.cityofgainesvilleparks.org
352-334-5067
A CAPRA Accredited Agency
Our Vision and Mission
 To be seen as the keepers and hosts of the places
where nature, recreation and culture meet, offering
memorable experiences for all.
 To provide and maintain the natural, recreational
and cultural facilities and programs that make
Gainesville a great place to live, work and visit;
and help to sustain the City economically, socially
and environmentally.
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
PRCA Department
 Administration/Support
Services
 Recreation Division
 Ironwood Golf Course
 Nature Operations Division
 Cultural Affairs Division
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Administration/Support Services
 Consists of:
 Capital Improvement Projects
 Master Plan – PRCA Vision 2020
 Agency Accreditation
 Budget – 2014 $7,064,000 operating
(add golf course and cultural events $8,800,000
decrease of 25% since 2008)
 Department-wide Marketing Team
 Volunteer Recruitment and Coordination (contract)
 Fundraising, Development, Partnerships, Grants
 Admin Team -Timekeeping, Uniforms, etc.
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Capital Improvement Projects
(CIP)
What is a CIP Project?
Small and large scale projects and/or equipment that is
new construction, expansion, renovation or replacement
that has a total cost of at least $10,000 over the life of the
project.
•Types of projects could be playgrounds, boardwalks,
lighting, heating a pool, and much more.
•
Wild Spaces Public Places ½
Cent Sales Tax funding –
passed by the voters in 2008
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Capital Improvement Projects
(CIP)
 2013-2014 Examples:
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Fred Cone Park Track Lighting
Smokey Bear Park Redevelopment
New Sound System at Bo Diddley Community Plaza
Resurfacing 5 Tennis Courts
Renovating Restrooms at Albert Ray Massey
Westside Park
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Marketing
 Design, production and
promotion of the department’s
more than 50 events and
programs annually
 Maintain and update
www.cityofgainesvilleparks.org
Social Media
Facebook & Twitter
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Citizen Volunteer Boards and
Friends Groups
Provide funding, advocacy, counsel, and
volunteers for activities:
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8.
Nature Centers Commission
Public Recreation and Parks Board
Tree Advisory Board
Tree Appeals Board
Gainesville/Alachua County Cultural Affairs Board
Art in Public Places Trust
Friends of Nature Parks, Evergreen Cemetery
Association of Gainesville and Thomas Center
Associates
Developing a PRCA Foundation to support
entire department
We need you!
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Volunteer Services
In FY 2014,
3,329 citizens
Volunteered
30,798 hours
valued at
$554,355+
to Parks,
Recreation
& Cultural
Affairs
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Volunteer Services
in Recreation
Dozens more group and
longer-term volunteers
assisted at our centers and
pools, and with afterschool
and summer programs
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Nearly 100 volunteer coaches
worked with area youth, building
character as well as promoting sports
Volunteer Services
In Cultural Affairs 30 or more interns and thousands of
volunteers assist with administration, gallery exhibitions (of
up to 750 pieces of artwork per year), hospitality, facility
rentals, marketing & special events
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Volunteer Services
In Nature Operations interns and volunteers remove
exotic plants, clean-up trails, lead wildflower walks, clean
park signs, and more, providing thousands of hours of
labor and support in our parks.
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Volunteer Services
Special Events
 More than 1,700 volunteers
worked to help produce special
events serving more than
 215,000 attendees
 Downtown Festival & Art Show,
Farm & Forest Festival, “Free
Friday” Concert Series, Jest
Fest, Great Air Potato
Roundup, Cane Boil & Fiddle
Fest, Native Plant Sales, and
the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
 Consists of 3 sections:
o Facilities
 Fields & Centers
 Active Net: Online Registration
 Rentals: Long-term & Short-term
o Education
 Environmental Education
 After-School, Summer Camp, Out of School Days
o Sports
 Aquatics, Athletics
 Youth, Adult
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
Long-Term
Facility Contracts
Multi-purpose/
Ball field
Reservations
One-Time Facility
Rentals
Active Net
Registrations
Musco Lighting
Control
Facilities
Park Reservations
Service Contracts
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
The Facilities section is a new area within
this division which serves a clear need in
the community.
In FY 2014,
 548 park reservations were processed with an
estimated 79,000 attendees
 Over 1,800 athletic field reservations
 Over 1,500 facility reservations (short & long term)
 Revenue generated - over $97,000
Recreation Division
Rentable Facilities:
 Albert Ray Massey (Westside)
Recreation Center
Clarence R. Kelly Community
Center
 Eastside Community Center at
Fred Cone Park
 Martin Luther King Multi-purpose
Center
 Porters Community Center
 T.B. McPherson Recreation Center
 Thelma Boltin Center
The Recreation Division reserves various
facilities in parks, such as athletic fields,
tracks, park areas for birthday parties,
fundraising events and more!
The most commonly requested parks are:
 Cone Park Track
 Northeast Complex Multipurpose
Fields
 Albert Ray Massey Westside Park and
Ball fields
 Northeast Park Ball fields
 Greentree Park Ball fields
 Possum Creek Multipurpose
field/park
 Cofrin Nature Park and Playground
Recreation Division
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
 Recreation Centers
 Eastside Community Center
 Clarence R. Kelly Community Center
 Porters Community Center
 Albert Ray Massey (Westside)
Recreation Center
 Martin Luther King Gym
 T.B. McPherson Recreation Center
 Thelma Boltin Senior Activities Center
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
 Places for
citizens of all
ages and abilities
to meet, create
memories, and
build family unity.
 Available for
rentals and
community
meetings.
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
 “Foundations”
(After School Program)
 Holiday Camp
 Summer Camp
 Spring Break Camp
 Out of School Days
 Top Chef Cook-Off
 Character Education
Week
 Letters to Santa
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
 FOUNDATIONS CURRICULUM: 2014-2015

Character Counts: The 6 Pillars of Character
Trustworthiness,
, Responsibility,
Fairness, Caring, Citizenship
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Around the World in 80 Days
Fun & Fitness
Super Heroes
Best of the Best
Adventure Land
Music Makers
Character Counts Week Proclamation
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
 Environmental Education:
 Environmental and Cultural History School and Outreach
Programs
 Free Public Programs: Barnyard Buddies, Frogs &
Friends Fridays, Living History Days
 Earth Academy Day Camp (spring and summer)
 Junior Naturalist Program
 Jean Dorney Memorial Wildflower Walks, Cane Boil and Fiddle
Fest, Great Air Potato Roundup, Farm and Forest Festival,
Native Plant Sales (spring and fall)
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
 Environmental Education: School and Outreach Programs
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Build critical thinking and relationship skills
Help foster leadership qualities
Encourage real world problem solving
Encourage self directed learning
Improve academic performance
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
 Environmental Education:
Special Events &
Programs
 Connect people with
historic and/or natural
resources
 Provide a sense of
community
 Entertain and educate
 Positively impact the
economy
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
• Environmental
Education:
• 2014 annual
Citizen’s Report:
Nearly 9,000
program
participants
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
 H. Spurgeon Cherry (Westside) Pool – opened 1968
Albert “Ray” Massey Recreation Center
 Dwight H. Hunter (Northeast) Pool – opened 1972
MLK, Jr. Recreation Center
o Year-round Facility (Geothermal Heating & Cooling)
 Andrew R. Mickle, Sr. Pool – opened 1989
TB McPherson Recreation Center
 Every Season over 65 employees are hired
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
Programs
 Swim Lessons
 Biathlon Series
 Water Aerobics
 Dog Days
 Summer Swim Meets
 Water Polo
 Junior Lifeguarding
 Adapted Aquatics
Staff Training:
 Lifeguard
 Water Safety Instructor
 Basic Water Rescue
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division - Aquatics
Attendance:
2014– 130,784
2013– 127,497
2012 – 112,512
2011 – 100,843
2010 – 74, 538
2009 – 51,111
2008 – 54,959
2007 – 40,206
Revenue:
2014 - $253,574
2013 - $225,781
2012 – $228,373
2011 – $205,549
2010 – $169,992
2009 – $135,511
2008 – $128,161
2007 – $102,799
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
 Our youth athletic leagues place an
emphasis on skill development,
good sportsmanship and pursuing
victory with honor!
 Fall sports: Pop Warner Football
and Cheerleading, Babe Ruth
Baseball and Babe Ruth Softball
 Winter sports: Youth Recreational
Basketball
 Spring sports: Babe Ruth
Baseball and Babe Ruth Softball
 Summer: Heatwave Program
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It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
 Partnerships:
 The Fall & Spring Babe Ruth Baseball season is
operated by Gainesville Youth Baseball, Inc.
 The Fall & Spring Babe Ruth Softball season is
operated by Gainesville Fast Pitch Softball,
Inc.
 Gainesville Youth Baseball and Gainesville Fast
Pitch Softball are parent-run organizations that
operate with the support of the City of
Gainesville’s Department of Parks, Recreation &
Cultural Affairs
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division - Heatwave
1. Community Citizens
2. Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
Department
3. Gainesville Police Department
4. State Attorney’s Office 8th District
***Has reduced crime 5 summers in a row!
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division - Heatwave
 Why?
 What is it?
 A three-prong program for 13-18 year olds,
comprised of…
 Heatwave
 Operation Respect Yourself
 Teen Lounges
…that focuses on character building and
provides meaningful activities for teens during the
summer months while bringing neighborhoods
together.
www.citizinvestor.com
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
 Adult Coed Softball League
 Coed Softball Leagues are held on Tuesday and
Friday nights
 Space is limited to 12 teams per night
 Adult Men’s Softball League
 The Men’s Softball League is held on Monday night
 Space is limited to 12 teams
 The Sports Section offers 2 seasons of adult softball
each year (fall/ spring)
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Recreation Division
 Wellness Center:
 Martin Luther King, Jr.
Multi-Purpose Center
 Hours of operation:
 Monday – Friday
7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
 Saturday
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
 Sunday
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Ironwood Golf Course
 18 Hole, Par 72
Championship Course
with 4 sets of Tees.
 Certified Audubon
Cooperative Sanctuary
 Driving Range and
Putting Green
 Pro Shop with the
Latest and Greatest
Merchandise
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Ironwood Golf Course
 Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary
Program for Golf Courses (ACSP)
 Environmental Planning
 Chemical Use Reduction and
Safety
 Wildlife and Habitat
Management
 Water Conservation
 Water Quality Management
 Outreach and Education
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Ironwood Golf Course
 Your home for Golf Outings and some of
Gainesville’s Premier Tournaments
 Offers lessons from PGA Professionals
 Room Rentals available for Weddings, Birthdays,
Meetings, etc.
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Ironwood Golf Course
Golf Course Youth Events
 Junior Golf Programs include:
 Clubs for Kids
 Drive, Chip & Putt
 Special Olympics
 Boys & Girls High School
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Nature Operations Division
 Park Operations
 Urban Forestry
 Natural Resource
Management
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Park Operations
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Daily operations of 61 parks and tot lots
Park development and maintenance
Park site inspections
Playground safety inspections
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Park Operations
 Park maintenance – mowing, trimming, edging,
cleaning, trash removal, irrigation, landscape
maintenance, outdoor lighting, special event
support, signage installation and more!
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Urban Forestry
Gainesville, FL “City in the Forest”
 Preserve and protect the
urban forest through
 Tree Ordinance
 Site Plan Review
 Tree Plantings
 Advisory Boards
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Urban Forestry
Trees are protected by ordinance
Protecting Heritage
and Champion Trees
8’ minimum
established for tree
lawns
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
Requiring permits to
remove regulated
trees
It Starts in Parks!
Urban Forestry
Nature Operations “Tree-mendous Gainesville” program
Goal to establish and
maintain trees on
public property.
Tree sponsors provide care
for trees planted by City staff
each year to shade streets.
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Natural Resource Management
 Land Acquisition
Nature Next Door
 Acquire exemplary
natural areas
throughout the City
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Natural Resource Management
To date, over 2,700 acres of conservation land
has been acquired within the City’s limits
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It Starts in Parks!
Natural Resource Management
 Habitat management and restoration
Clastic Upland Lake
Seepage Stream
Wetlands
Flatwoods
Sandhill
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Natural Resource Management
 Plant and wildlife monitoring & surveys
 Invasive exotic plant control
 Prescribed burning
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Natural Resource Management
 Nature park development
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Cultural Affairs
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Events
Visual Arts Programs
Facilities
Grant Administration
Services to Artists &
Arts Organizations
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Cultural Affairs
 “Free Fridays” Concert Series
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(Spring thru Fall) and
Downtown Countdown (Dec
31st)
Downtown Festival & Art Show
(November 8 & 9, 2014)
Hoggetowne Medieval Faire
(Jan. 24-25, Jan. 30 - Feb. 1,
2015)
Jest Fest! (Mar. 29, 2015)
Holiday Tree Lighting
Celebration (Dec. 6th)
Jewel Box Concerts at the
Thomas Center (20142015)
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Cultural Affairs
Facilities
 Historic Thomas
Center (National
Register of Historic
Places)
 Tench Building Artist
Studios
 Wilhelmina Johnson
Resource Center
 Union Academy/Rosa
B. Williams Recreation
Center
 Historic Evergreen
Cemetery(est. 1856)
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Cultural Affairs
 Visual Arts Program

12 Annual Exhibitions the Main Gallery and
Mezzanine Gallery of Thomas Center
 Public Arts Programs

1% allocation of public construction and major
renovations
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Cultural Affairs
Grant Administration in Partnership with
Alachua County Visitor and Convention
Bureau
 Administered five grant programs awarding a
total of $822,000 to over 50 local arts,
community and eco-heritage agencies.
And funds from Arts Tag
Approximately $6,000/yr
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Cultural Affairs
Tourism Marketing
Cell Phone Tours for:
Historic Gainesville
Living History Farm at
Morningside Nature Center
Dudley Farm
O’Leno State Park
Old Florida Heritage
Highway
Temporary for “Crossing
Paths” sculpture exhibit
Out-of-County Advertising Campaigns
to draw visitors
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Cultural Affairs
Services to Artists/
Art Organizations
 Local Arts Agency for
Alachua County
 Co-sponsoring Local
Artists/Arts
Organizations
 Cultural Resource
Center
 Docent tours for local
school children
 Cultural Literature
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
The Arts Mean Business in
Alachua County!
In the Americans for the Arts’
Arts & Economic Prosperity IV study
conducted locally by PRCA with VisitGainesville
Alachua County findings indicated:
1,939,986 people attended cultural events in Alachua County in 2010
and Alachua County non-profit Arts and Cultural Organizations:
● Directly spent $32.3 million in that year and leveraged an
additional $53.2 million in annual attendee spending… creating an
$85.5 million industry
● Directly and indirectly supported 2,344 full-time equivalent jobs
● Generated $7.3 million in local and state government revenue
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
Why do we say
It Starts in Parks?
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Increase property values
Attract new business
Boost the local economy
Create community through people, parks and programs
Provide quality parks and recreation experiences
Strengthen community image and sense of place
Promote health and wellness
Foster community pride
Protect environmental resources
Increase cultural unity
Create lifetime experiences
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!
It Starts in Parks!
Enjoy the many benefits your
parks, recreation and cultural
facilities and programs provide!
www.cityofgainesvilleparks.org
352-334-5067
A CAPRAAccredited Agency
It Starts in Parks!