FairGrowth Submits Comments to County Parks Authority on 2006 - 2010 Strategic Plan

Fairfax Citizens for Responsible Growth provided the comments below to the Fairfax County Park Authority regarding the Park Authority's draft Strategic Plan.  The draft Strategic Plan is available here.

---

Subject:  Draft 2006 - 2010 Strategic Plan
Date:  8/28/2006

Dear Park Authority,

After reviewing the draft Strategic Plan, we are concerned that there is no Strategic Objective to increase the amount of parkland under Park Authority (PA) stewardship.

The PA has had success acquiring new parkland and continues to pursue land acquisition as witnessed by the upcoming bond referendum.  The Needs Assessment lists goals of providing 276 acres of additional parks, 75 miles of trails, 55 picnic areas, and 95 rectangular fields by 2013.  So, the Strategic Plan should include the pursuit of new parkland as a priority to
meet the needs of a growing population.

The following Strategic Objective emphasizes the second half of the PA mission statement, "to create...quality facilities:"


However, there is no objective to emphasize the first half of the PA mission statement, "to set aside public spaces...to guarantee that these resources will be available to both present and future generations."  Therefore, we suggest that the Strategic Objective above be rewritten as follows, and corresponding changes be made to the Strategic Plan:


As the Needs Assessment states in the conclusion, "Needs for public space, passive, and active recreation will be at the forefront of residents' minds as the Fairfax County population continues to grow."

Thank you.

Fairfax Citizens For Responsible Growth, Inc. (www.FairGrowth.org)

cc:  Park Authority Board