Suffolk Parks & Recreation Annual Report FY 23/23

SUFFOLKPARKS & RECREATION

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Our department has accomplished a great deal recently and we’re excited to share those achievements with you here. Though, none of these accomplishments would be possible without a great team and the dedication of our volunteers, donors, and partners. We are grateful for the support of the City Council, City Management, and our Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission all of which help us achieve our goals each year.

We hope you join us in celebrating our success and have pride in parks, trails, and recreation facilities by continually utilizing them

-Mark Furlo, CPRE, Director of Parks & Recreation

ADVISORY COMMISSION

Ellen Benegar

Jean Carmean

Darrell Davis

Kem Ingram

Mark Plenty, Jr.

Judson West

Wayne Q White

Robert Wilkins

The purpose of the Advisory Commission is to solicit citizens' ideas throughout the City on what new activities, facilities and/or programs citizens would like to see undertaken by the City in the area of parks and recreation Commission members are appointed by CIty Council

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Mark Furlo, CPRE

Christy Fisher, PLA

Terry Baronner, CPRP

Jenna Thimmes, MS, CPRP

Jason Jones, CPRP

Ashley Green, CPRP, CYSA, CPO

Rickeda Fofana, CPRP

Director

Principle Planner

Parks Manager

Business Services Manager

Recreation Manager

Recreation Manager

Youth Outreach Coordinator

Numerous, dedicated full- and part-time staff also provide vital support throughout the year in our programs, events, and facilities.

Fiscal Year 2022-2023

To create memorable experiences through a culture of fun and customer service excellence

To be the National leader in connecting people through play.

Annual Report Fiscal Year 2022-2023

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

BENNETT’S CREEK RECREATION CENTER

In May 2015, the City of Suffolk acquired 1500 Bennetts Creek Park Road from the United States Army Formerly known as the 1st Lt Richard T Shea US Army Reserve Center, it housed the 1st Battalion, 317th Regiment, which was formed in 1917.

Today, following its renovation, it is home to an array of fitness equipment, a group exercise room, a computer lab, game, multipurpose, and conference room. It’s location in Northern Suffolk is an excellent addition to the other nearby park amenities and has seen substantial growth in memberships since its opening.

CYPRESS PARK POOL

Having been out of commission for multiple summers, the Cypress Park Pool was reborn and welcomed over 1,000 visitors in its first year. Now featuring a zero-depth entry and splash pad, the pool has become on ‘cool’ place to hang out!

PARK UPGRADES

Several playgrounds saw refurbishment this fiscal year, including: Coulbourn Park, Holland Park, Lone Star Lakes Park, and Magnolia Park.

We also welcomed our first Outdoor Fitness Park, located just off the Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail in Northern Suffolk.

Mary Estes welcomed a newly constructed picnic shelter, as well

Annual Report Fiscal Year 2022-2023

BUSINESS SERVICES

CEMETERIES

Our cemeteries are a place of solitude and remembrance where we welcome thousands of grieving family members annually

EVENT PERMITS

Special events have seen an uptick since the end of the pandemic as we welcomed 42 applications, 16 of which received in-kind services totaling more than

$50,000.

MARKETING

Facebook and Instagram saw an increase in visibility and interaction To better streamline our appearance to the public, we implemented a Brand Kit that maintains consistency of colors, fonts, and overall look of our graphic design.

RENTALS

Host to weddings, baby showers, birthdays, and more the Planter’s Club, our beautiful rental facility that overlooks the Nansemond River, hosted 121 rentals. While our park shelters at Bennett’s Creek Park, Sleepy Hole Park, Lake Meade Park, Lake Kennedy Park, and Cypress Park saw 339 total rentals Not to mention countless first-come, first-served uses at all of our park locations

VOLUNTEERS

6,300

2,300

SPECIAL EVENT ATTENDANCE

From coaches to interns to counselors-in-training and community members, every helping hand makes a difference! Our dedicated volunteers clocked over 6,000 hours on various projects. Their commitment saved the department over $182,000 on staffing expenses. 6 , 0 0 0 hours

$182,000+

Annual Report

PARKS

PARK VISITORS

510,610

1,829 acres

Bennett’s Creek Park, Lake Meade Park, Lone Star Lakes Park, Sleepy Hole Park, Constant’s Wharf Park & Marina, Boston Park, Coulbourn Park, Cypress Park, Holland Park, Ida Easter Park, Lake Kennedy Park, Lakeside Park Tot Lot, Magnolia Park, Mary Estes Playground, Peanut Park, Planters Park, Pughsville Park, Turlington Park, Tynes Street Playground, Wellons Park

SUFFOLK SEABOARD COASTLINE TRAIL

80 trees planted

Designated by the blue lines on the map above, the Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail continues to grow and currently spans 6 3 miles

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Maintaining over 1,800 acres is accomplishment enough, but our dedicated Parks Maintenance crew also planted more than 80 trees and established a separate crew to maintain the Downtown Suffolk area

Annual Report Fiscal Year 2022-2023 RECREATION

BENNETT’S CREEK RECREATION CENTER

This fully renovated Army Reserve base now houses our newest Recreation Center. Since the opening occurred in May, only two months were included in their annual totals, but the results are fantastic for a brand new facility!

CURTIS R. MILTEER SR. RECREATION CENTER

Reaching the Southern area of our City, is the recently renovated Milteer Recreation Center It houses an active adult program three times a week.

EAST SUFFOLK RECREATION CENTER

Situated next to our Administration Building, this center hosts an active adult program every weekday. It also houses a robust fitness program, led by Suffolk’s People’s Choice Gold Medal Personal Trainer

SUFFOLK ART GALLERY

With the end of the pandemic, our gallery ceased its virtual offerings and is welcoming the public indoors for programming. The classes and partnerships at the gallery continue to increase, as they welcomed over 1,800 participants this year.

ATHLETICS

Soozie Nicole I wanna be a kid and do this 25 INCREASEINCAMP

TOTAL ATHLETIC PARTICIPANTS

4,865

Report

Our athletic program runs the gamut from Basketball to Cheerleading, Futsal to Softball, and nearly everything in between. With programs for youth and adults, as well as summer camps, there’s always something athletic to do in Suffolk!

JOINT USE RECREATION CENTERS

Our six joint-use Recreation Centers, located at Suffolk’s Booker T. Washington, Creekside, Kings Fork, Mack Benn Jr., Northern Shores, and Oakland Public Schools, opened their doors to an average of 73 students each week for their Before & Afterschool Kid Zone program But they didn’t stop there! The Planet Recreation Summer Camp numbers increased by 25%, and 11 recreation special events welcomed over 750 participants.

AVERAGE BEFORE & AFTERSCHOOL PARTICIPANTS 73

OFFICE ON YOUTH

PREVENTION & OUTREACH

Featuring 18 programs this year, our Office On Youth, successfully reached over 950 participants with programs like Summer Work Success, Pop-Up Rec, Trunk or Treat, Planet Fun, and more!

950+ participants

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION

Nearly 100 citizens took advantage of our well-rounded therapeutic recreation programs, including Camp Limitless, Social Hours, and Out & About program

Administration/BusinessServices

ParksMaintenance Recreation

FY23 GENERAL FUND BUDGET

$10,757,203

Our annual operating budget is split into three divisions: Administration/Business Services, Parks Maintenance, and Recreation

GRANTS

$2,346,728

Through diligence and research, our team successfully acquired more than $2.3 million dollars in grant funding. Awarded grants include a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for the Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail, an Obici grant for our new Fitness Park, and funding to install a playground at Cypress Park from the Hampton Roads Sanitation District, among others.

SPONSORSHIPS $11,325

Events during FY23 welcomed support from several local companies, including Sentara, State Farm, ServPro, the Gallery at Godwin, and more.

Annual Report Fiscal Year 2022-2023

VIRGINIA RECREATION & PARK ASSOCIATION STATE AWARDS

BEST NEW RENOVATION/ADDITION

Bennett’s Creek Park Inclusive Playground

BEST NEW FACILITY

Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail Segment 2

Matthew Latham Parks and Rec is killing it! Y’all are one of the best reasons to live here!! Someone get these fantastic public servants a big raise!

Lisa Beamon That’s so wonderful!

Christie Bess Harrell Looks like fun! May have to join!

Gail P. Hinton-Copeland Wow! Amazing!

keisha trails I love this

Franklin-Southampton Wellness Coalition Looks like so much fun! Love this!

Thank you to the public for their continued support of our department.