At a Crossroads

The City of Charlottesville is at a crossroads with where it needs to invest in its parks and recreation system. The City made substantial investments in the 1960's and 70's in acquiring park land, developing indoor and outdoor recreational facilities and in supporting programs that set a high Standard for Virginia Cities. Over half of the parks in the system were purchased during this 20 year time span.

PROS Consulting, LLC was retained to evaluate and address the needs of Charlottesville's parks and recreation system. The Needs Assessment outlines a strategy to recover the parks and recreation system and to position it as a major element of pride in the city and as a viable service worth investment. This will require political will and a substantial investment by the City and its residents to achieve all the recommendations outlined in the Needs Assessment Plan. The Director and his staff are prepared to make the level of commitment needed and address the challenges ahead. The answers to problems and issues have been addressed to create a sustainable parks and recreation system, but permission and an investment needs to be provided by the City council and Key city leadership to move the Department to the next level. This support will help carry the system well into this century and to leave a lasting legacy for existing residents and future residents in the City. The time is now to act before the City falls even further behind and the assets continue to decline that will cost substantial amounts of dollars to rebuild the system.

Attached is the presentation of the feasibility study that will be presented to City Council on August 7, 2006 at 7pm in the City Council Chambers.

Below is more information concerning the needs assessment.

Parks and Recreation Evaluation & Proposed Improvements

Structural Facility Assessments Phase I

Structural Facility Assessments Phase II

Parks and Recreation Needs assessment report 12/05

Council Work Session 2/06

Facility Standards City & County

Strategy Matrix Revised 8/06

Capital Improvement Financial Plan 7/2006

Capital Improvement Project Timeline 7/2006