[DEHC] Boston City Council Hearing on Parks - Fri June 15, 10-2

[Rosanne.Foley at codman.org]

   Dear Park Advocates:
   The City Council Budget Hearing for Parks is scheduled for Friday,
   June 15th 10 am - 2 pm at City Hal l, 5th Floor Hearing Room. If you
   can be there, read this message to prepare for the hearing and speak
   out for parks!
   Here's what will happen: first Boston Parks Department staff answer
   questions from the city councilors. This takes at least an hour. Then
   the general public has an opportunity to speak. You sign a list to
   speak when you come into the Hearing Room. Remarks should be short -
   no more than 2-3 paragraphs if you write them out in advance. You can
   submit written testimony, especially if you cannot be there.
   If you would like to testify but need to come on your lunch hour, send
   us your name and when you think you'll arrive - we'll put you on the
   sign-up list.
   Background on the budget and park needs: 
   In 2003 there were significant cuts to the Parks budget that have
   never been completely restored. Since then Parks has been "level
   funded" - which means little new money or support, just the same
   amount from year-to-year despite rising costs and a backlog of
   maintenance needs - especially related to tree care.
   A few key issues that have emerged this spring for many park friends
   groups reflect the 6 areas we identified in previous meetings:
   ? Public Safety
   ? Maintenance
   ? Trees
   ? Programs
   ? Youth
   ? Equity and Access
   --The city has responded to the crisis in youth violence and sees
   parks as part of the solution - community grants were announced to
   provide activities in parks all summer for youth ages 8-18. We can
   thank them for this!
   --Parks have no police presence now that the Municipal Police have
   become part of the Boston Police Department. There has been an upturn
   in delinquent activity - illegal motor bikes, drug dealing, etc. in
   parks that used to benefit from the Municipal Police patrols. Boston
   Police usually do not respond to 911 calls from a park for these
   quality of life activities.
   --Several critical Parks Dept. staff are not permanent city employees
   - they receive no benefits, poor pay, and no job security - despite
   doing highly skilled and trained jobs. This includes the Boston Park
   Rangers, the Director of the Urban Wilds program, and several others.
   If we don't recognize their skills and talents, good staff will leave.
   --More money for street and park trees was requested in this year's
   budget.
   What to say in your testimony: 
   * Your name, neighborhood you live in, and park name
   * Request more money for parks in the city budget - let Councilors
   know that level funding means our parks are deteriorating.
   * Ask the Councilors to recognize the importance of park staff and
   give all Parks Dept. employees the same benefits other city workers
   get. Describe positive contributions the Park Rangers or Paul Sutton
   who runs the Urban Wilds program, have made to you and your park.
   * Get personal and specific - describe a park problem you face in your
   park - speeding motor bikes, poor facilities for youth to play, trees
   dying from a lack of maintenance, or whatever it is (e.g. Ringer Park
   has rats, Ronan Park has a badly delayed park construction project).
   Make it clear that more money is needed to invest in parks and solve
   the problems.
   Let us know if you can be there on the 15th - bring others from your
   park and organization! If you'd like more background info, help with
   testimony, or have any questions - don't hesitate to call or email.
   Together we will make parks a bigger priority in Boston! We want city
   councilors to know that parks ARE important. A big turnout will make a
   strong impression.
   --
   Christine Poff, Franklin Park Coalition -
   christine at franklinparkcoalition.org - 617-282-2881
   Valerie Burns, Boston Natural Areas Network -
   valerie at bostonnatural.org - 617-542-7696