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Phila Parks Alliance

We took a big step forward today but we have a few more to go!

The Philadelphia Parks Alliance and the thousands of park and community leaders it represents, believe very strongly that to truly improve Philadelphia's parks we need to change park governance, management, and funding.

Today, City Council accepted proposed amendments to legislation regarding changes in the governance of Fairmount Park that were introduced by Councilmembers Clarke and Reynolds-Brown. While today's amendments will make significant improvement in the appointment process for Fairmount Park Commissioners, they do not include some provisions that we had hoped for.

As you can see from the letter below that the Philadelphia Parks Alliance sent to City Council today, we recognize that today's amendments are good, but limited. Therefore we will continue to work with City Council, the Mayor and all affected parties to improve this legislation prior to passage in September and to work together with the current and future administrations to expand and diversify funding for all the City's parks.

Thank you for your hard work, leadership and support.

Pete Hoskins
President

June 14, 2007

Hon. Darrell L. Clarke
Member of City Council
Room 484 City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Hon. Blondell Reynolds-Brown
Member of City Council
Room 581 City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Dear Councilman Clarke and Councilwoman Reynolds-Brown:

The Philadelphia Parks Alliance is pleased that you are moving forward with one of the key elements of park reform- having a Mayoral appointment process for Fairmount Park Commissioners. However, we are also aware of what is not included in the current amendments, including roles and responsibilities for the Fairmount Park Commissioners, the appointment process for Park Director as well as other specifics for a comprehensive reform. In addition, we are acutely aware that any significant park reform must include expansion and diversification of the funding sources, which today's proposed legislation does not address.

We received a copy of your proposed legislation (Bill No. 060474 and Resolution No. 060485) with the amendments you plan to introduce in Council today. Obviously, a day and a half is not enough time for us to consult with and get consent of people representing a broad base of hundreds of park, community and advocacy organizations on these amendments. Their support is critical. Time is, unfortunately short, and more time will be needed to assure all that we can fully address the issues beyond just the Commissioner appointment process.

We understand that in order for the Charter change question to get onto the November 6, 2007 ballot your proposed amendments to the Ordinance (Bill No. 060474) must be approved on September 20th (Council's first meeting back from summer) and, therefore, can not be amended further beyond today. However, we also understand, from subsequent communication with Councilwoman Reynolds-Brown legislative staff, that the accompanying Resolution No. 060485 which outlines the specific changes to the Fairmount Park Commission can be amended further beyond today and even after the vote on the Ordinance.

We were encouraged to hear that there still could be time to work with you and other Members of City Council, along with other parties to improve this reform legislation. Beyond the particulars of this legislation, the Philadelphia Parks Alliance, and thousands of park and community leaders it represents, believe very strongly that to truly improve Philadelphia's parks we need to change park governance, management, and funding.

Therefore, the Philadelphia Parks Alliance accepts the amendments you have offered in the current draft and agrees to continue working with City Council on reform amendments with the understanding that:

1. Passage of the amended ordinance on September 20th will place the Charter change on the November 2007 ballot.
2. We will have the opportunity to work with you and other parties over the coming months to further revise the legislation to include important provisions that are not covered in today's proposed resolution.
3. We will work with you, other members of City Council, the Mayor, and other affected parties to ensure that additional action is taken to secure the essential funding for a high quality parks system for our city.

Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help ensure success today and beyond. Getting Charter change on the November ballot that gives all future Mayors and City Councils the tools they need to be successful and accountable on behalf of our parks would be a huge step forward for Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Parks Alliance greatly appreciates your efforts over these many months. We stand ready to take additional next steps forward until every Philadelphia resident and visitor can enjoy the asset that our parks can be. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Alexander L. Hoskins
Board President, Philadelphia Parks Alliance

Cc: Members of City Council