February 2014 - Parks & Recreation - 14

Letters
We hope the articles you read in Parks & Recreation are thought-provoking and
engaging, and we want to hear your opinions on what you read in these pages. Through
social media posts, website comments, emails to staff or posts on Connect, let us know
how the magazine's articles apply to your job and your agency. To submit feedback for this
his
section directly, email Senior Editor Danielle Taylor at dtaylor@nrpa.org.

[Ed. Note: The below email was received
in response to NRPA President and CEO
Barbara Tulipane's January Perspectives
column, " Park Privatization Issues Challenge Public Parks " (www.parksandrec
reation.org/2014/January/Park-Privat
ization-Issues-Challenge-Public-Parks).]
As park privatization debates flare up
in park systems across the country,
NRPA President and CEO Barbara
Tulipane asks the most fundamental
question in this polarizing conversation: What does it mean to " privatize " a park?
Urban Dictionary defines the term
as " transfer[ing] from public or government control or ownership to
private enterprise. " Is Indianapolis'
proposed plan to outsource some or
all of the management of their parks
to a private entity considered " privatization? " Perhaps. But what about
the many urban park systems like
San Francisco that lease
concessions,
permit
ticketed special
events, raise
philanthropic
dollars, and
partner with
foundations,
nonprofits and
local businesses? Are we privatizing or are
12

Parks & Recreation

we partnering (a much less controversial concept in government)?
As Tulipane notes, this is, indeed,
an important distinction. In San
Francisco, we have utilized public-private partnerships in a strategic and
thoughtful manner that has helped
maximize the benefits of our parks
and programs for the communities
we serve. These partnerships have
directly and successfully resulted in
additional gardeners in city parks,
increased recreational opportunities
in underserved neighborhoods, new
playgrounds and increased operating hours for our recreation facilities. Public-private partnerships have
helped San Francisco families thrive,
even during an era of profound general fund cuts to our beleaguered recreation and parks budget.
For some, privatization connotes a
decrease in access to our public parks
and programs. That's a scary proposition, particularly for the people who
need and depend on them the most,
but public-private partnerships have in
fact been used for decades to establish
and operate some of our nation's most
iconic and loved parks. In San Francisco, one public-private partnership
has added more than 70,000 hours of
play on our ballfields. Another added
a new playground in a neighborhood
that had none. Another created an internationally acclaimed free bluegrass
festival that welcomes hundreds of
thousands of visitors to Golden Gate

| F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 4 | W W W. N R PA . O R G

Park in a single weekend. That's more
access, not less.
Some advocates concerned about
privatization fear that private funding
will lead to greater reductions in public
funding. This is a valid concern, and
the parks community must continue
to advocate for increased public investment in parks, not less. But, as the public's need for open space and recreation
intensifies, so too must our commitment to creative park funding solutions
that protect and enhance our mission.
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell -
the former CEO of private park partner, REI - was spot-on when she said
at a November event in San Francisco
that private funding in parks " should
provide the margin of excellence and
not the margin of survival. "
When private investment is channeled toward parks, it signals the important role parks play in the vitality
and vibrancy of our communities,
which, in turn, further validates the
case for continued, robust public financing. That's a positive feedback
loop that all park professionals and
park advocates can embrace.
As the debate about privatization
continues, the merits of public-private
partnerships should not be disregarded
because one thing is clear: Public park
systems can no longer do it alone.
Phil Ginsburg is the General Manager of the
San Francisco Recreation and Park
Department (phil.ginsburg@sfgov.org).
February 2014 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2014 - Parks & Recreation
