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SECTION K -- PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES
CONSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAM
PROGRAM MISSION: To contribute to a sustainable and learning community by
providing and promoting environmental and cultural programs and experiences.
This section serves as the
interpretive and program wing of the Division, and provides Arlington residents
and visitors with an opportunity to understand and appreciate our historic and
natural resources. Facilities and
programs include:
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The operations of Long Branch and Gulf Branch Nature
Centers which provide information and services to drop-in visitors, scheduled
interpretive programs, interpretive exhibits, programs by-request, summer
camps, and special events.
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The operations at Fort C.F. Smith Park which include
natural and cultural interpretive programs, special events, and the rental
program at the Hendry House.
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The Park Ranger Program that include Park Safe,
information for park and trail users, Junior Rangers, special events, and other
seasonal programs.
Section staff also provides
technical expertise on environmental and natural resource management issues to
County agencies.
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Conservation and
Interpretation Program
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FY 2004
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FY 2005
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FY 2006
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% Change:
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Actual
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Adopted
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Proposed
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'05 to '06
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Personnel
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$945,451
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$946,508
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$955,755
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1%
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Non-Personnel
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155,411
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109,072
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105,332
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-3%
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Total Expenditures
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1,100,862
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1,055,580
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1,061,087
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1%
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Revenues
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15,711
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16,397
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17,183
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5%
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Net Tax Support
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$1,085,151
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$1,039,183
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$1,043,904
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Authorized FTEs
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15.8
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15.8
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15.8
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Funded FTEs
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15.8
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15.8
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15.8
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SIGNIFICANT BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:
- Decrease in non-personnel is primarily due to internal vehicle charges ($5,886).
- Increase in revenue is due to fee increase for nature camps.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
Nature Centers
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FY 2002
Actual
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FY 2003
Actual
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FY 2004
Actual
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FY 2005
Estimate
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FY 2006
Estimate
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FY 2006
Goal
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Mission Outcome Measures
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Percent of
participants reporting increased awareness of the natural resources of
Arlington
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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75%
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85%
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85%
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Percent
reporting increased knowledge as a result of
program participation or looking at a display
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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75%
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85%
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85%
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Customer Measures
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Percent
of participants reporting a satisfaction level of "good" to "excellent" with programming services
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99%
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99%
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99%
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99%
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99%
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99%
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Percent of
participants reporting they would recommend the program to someone else
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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75%
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85%
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85%
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Workload Measures
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Number of programs presented
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850
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778
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774
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775
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775
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775
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Number of attendees
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21,112
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22,342
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16,509
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18,000
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18,000
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18,000
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Some measurements identified above are new and no
historical information is available.
Data collection for these measures will commence in FY 2005.
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Decrease in programs offered in FY2004 and lower
attendance due to several factors. A $2
per child fee was implemented for non-Arlington school groups requesting
educational programs at the nature centers resulting in a 66% drop in such
requests. A largely attended
cooperative program done in conjunction with the libraries was suspended by the
Department of Libraries in FY2004. New
programs that were implemented in FY2004 had a smaller projected attendance
than those previously offered.
Fort
C.F. Smith Park
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FY 2002
Actual
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FY 2003
Actual
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FY 2004
Actual
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FY 2005
Estimate
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FY 2006
Estimate
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FY 2006
Goal
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Mission
Outcome Measures
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Percent of
participants reporting increased awareness of cultural resources in Arlington
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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75%
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85%
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85%
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Percent
reporting increased knowledge as a result of
program participation or looking at a display
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N/A
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N/A
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75%
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85%
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85%
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85%
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Customer Measures
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Percent of participants reporting a satisfaction
level of "good" or "high" with programming services
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N/A
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N/A
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NA
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75%
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85%
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85%
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Percent of
participants reporting they would recommend the program to someone else
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N/A
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90%
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95%
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95%
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95%
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95%
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Workload Measures
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Number of programs presented
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50
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100
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99
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125
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150
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150
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Number of attendees
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987
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1,500
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1,389
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1,600
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2,000
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2,000
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Some of the measurements identified above are new
requirements and no historical information is available. Data collection for these performance
measures will commence in FY 2005.
Park Rangers
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FY 2002
Actual
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FY 2003
Actual
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FY 2004
Actual
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FY 2005
Estimate
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FY 2006
Estimate
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FY 2006
Goal
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Mission
Outcome Measures
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Decrease the
number of Park Safe issuances, incidents, graffiti, animal violations,
alcohol, and disruptive behaviors.
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N/A
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1,002
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806
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725
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689
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689
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Customer Measures
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Percent of
park users reporting they would recommend park use to someone else
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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75%
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85%
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85%
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Some of the measurements identified above are new
requirements and no historical information is available. Data collection for these performance
measures will commence in FY 2005.
FUTURE BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS:
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Arlington County's two nature centers are undersized
and not fully ADA accessible.
Significant capital improvements are needed to keep them operational.
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