[Archived] Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities FY 2015 Service Expectations

For Immediate Release: June 23, 2014

On May 1, the Alexandria City Council voted unanimously to adopt a $636.8 million General Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015, which begins July 1, 2014. City Council’s approval of this budget marks a significant step in aligning how the City does business with the principles set forth in the City’s Strategic Plan and the City Manager’s Performance Plan. Working in Focus Area Teams, staff used a new philosophy to build a budget framework that directly links the money Alexandria spends on providing programs and services to the community’s values.

• Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities FY 2015 Approved Budget  

The following information provides residents with service adjustments for the FY 2015 fiscal year (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015):

FEE ADJUSTMENTS - Resource Allocation and Cost Recovery

The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) increased fees per the City Council Approved Resource Allocation and Cost Recovery Policy. City Council Resolution No. 2613, adopted May 1, 2014, provides a summary of Fee Adjustments effective July 1, 2014. For a complete list of City Council adopted fees for FY 2015 RPCA programs and services, view the FY 2015 RPCA Fee Schedule.

Discounts are available to City of Alexandria residents in need of financial assistance. Review the Financial Assistance Policy for eligibility and levels of assistance.

COMMUNITY CENTER OPERATING HOURS

To more closely align with customer demand, “on demand” hours are being implemented at some community Centers. “On demand” use includes pre-scheduled private or Department sponsored activities. Pre-scheduled private use will incur appropriate staff and rental fees as identified in the RPCA Fee Schedule.

Durant Center will reduce general operating hours to 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and is available for “on demand” use prior to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and all day weekends. “On demand” use is subject to availability. For additional information, visit The Office of the Arts.

Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center will change its operating hours to noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday year-round and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays October 1 to March 31. For additional information, visit Recreation Centers.

Patrick Henry Recreation Center will reduce general operating hours to being purely “on demand,” meaning it will only be open during pre-scheduled Department sponsored activities such as Out of School Time and Sports programs. “On demand” use is subject to availability. For additional information, visit Recreation Centers.

HORTICULTURAL AREAS

The City will expand the non-planting of annuals (seasonal flowers) at City maintained landscaped sites, including landscaped sites on school grounds. The City will only maintain current level of services at City Hall/Market Square. Residents, community groups and business groups may participate in the Adopt-A-Garden program to provide volunteer horticultural activities in non-funded planting beds. For additional information, call 703.746.4654.

PARK MAINTENANCE AND GRAFFITI REMOVAL  

The Department will have reduced capacity for routine park maintenance tasks, graffiti removal and after-hour response to service requests and maintenance needs. Some tasks will be differed or delayed, and service request response time will increase. In all cases, the Department will continue to address all safety issues and maintenance needs associated with keeping the parks open for their intended use.

The Department is responsible for the mowing of most medians and traffic islands within the public rights-of-way, public parks, recreation centers, public schools and some other City owned facilities on a 14-day mowing cycle during the grass growing season. Mowing cycles are subject to change due to weather events, program schedules and specific site conditions.

Each mowing cycle includes litter pick up and removal, mowing to 3 inches of height, edging and removal of grass clippings from streets, walkways and other paved areas. To view the monthly mowing schedule for public right-of-ways, schools, recreation centers and some City owned facilities, visit Park Operations on the Department website.

Staff will continue to evaluate City services and adjust activities as required. For additional information, call the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.746.4343 (VA Relay 711) or visit the Department’s website at alexandriava.gov/Recreation.