Fairmount Park Reform
On May 25, 2006 Councilmembers Clark and Renyolds-Brown introduced Bill No. 060474,(PDF) which called for the following Charter Amendment to be put in front of the voters on November, 7 2006.
"Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide that the Fairmount Park Commisssion shall consist of fifiteen members appointed to four-year terms by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of Council, from among the persons whose names are submitted to the Mayor by a newly created nominating panel composed of two representatives of park advocacy groups, five members apppointed by the Mayor and five members appointed by Council?"
On Tuesday, June 13, 2006, Councilmembers Clarke and Reynolds Brown and Nutter put forth a resolution (PDF) that calls for the Mayor to appoint a Parks and Recreation Funding Task Force "consisting of representatives of parks advocacy organizations, recreation advocacy organizations, comunity members, budget, finance and publci policy experts, Fairmount Park, City Council adn the Administration to develop and advise the City regarding potential new funding streams sources that can be used to better fund parks and recreation in the City of Philadelphia"
Background:
On Dec. 14, Council heard hours of testimony (all testimony is being gathered on the Philadelphia Parks Alliance Website), including remarks from Seventy's President and CEO, Zack Stalberg, Clark and Reynolds-Brown, the two co-sponsors of Bill 050697 that effectively called for a City Charter to eliminate the Fairmount Park Commission. Council decided to postpone any vote on the measure citing that more public discussion and debate was needed.
The bill was initially introduced on June 16, 2005 and called for placing the above ordinance in front of the voters in the November 2005 election. Seventy and others vehemently opposed this action as it left no time for meaningful public participation in a debate which could result in a major restructuring of city government and affect assets most citizens consider important.
To ensure park reform is done correctly, two task forces have been formed to help determine how to improve the operations, governance, leadership and accountability of Fairmount Park. The Fairmount Parks Commission is spearheading one of these groups while the Philadelphia Parks Alliance, in association with the Pennsylvania Horticulture Association, is leading the other. Both groups are composed of experienced and passionate community leaders, economic experts, and others, who provide insight into all the different components that must be addressed in order to do this right. Although there are many different solutions as to what's best for Fairmount Park - all are in agreement about one thing- it's time for reform. Reports from both task forces are expected in the early months of 2006.
Given the legal requirements and practical considerations associated with placing a Charter Amendment question on the ballot, The Committee of Seventy's current position, which was communicated to Council back in June and in the Dec. 14, hearing, is that more time is needed for meaningful public participation and education. Fairmount Park is the city’s crown jewel enjoyed by virtually all Philadelphians and millions of city visitors each year. Before any legislative action is taken, there needs to be a strong consensus by the public that the proposed plan for the long-term stewardship of Fairmount Park is the right choice. We cannot forget that the most important factor in this equation is the citizens of Philadelphia.
Tell Us What You Think - Should We Reform Fairmount Park?
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