M-NCPPC, Annual Report 2010

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Maryland k

Serving Prince George’s County Communities

2010

F

ounded in 1927, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is a bi-county agency serving Prince George's and Montgomery counties in Maryland, located just to the north and east of Washington, DC. The original purpose of the Commission, or M-NCPPC, was to practice "long-range planning and park acquisition and development." Since its inception, however, the Commission's responsibilities have expanded to include administration of Prince George's County's public recreation program.

“The mission of the Department of Parks and Recreation, in partnership with county residents, is to provide comprehensive park and recreation programs, facilities, and services which respond to changing needs within our communities. We strive to preserve, enhance, and protect open spaces to enrich the quality of life for present and future generations in a safe and secure environment.�

Our strategic focus includes: Mission-driven core services, revenue diversification, customer-focused programs, management and employee accountability, contemporary technologies, a prioritized capital improvement program, and performance measurement.

Impact of Programs and Services A well-respected leader in the field, the Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation provides quality recreation programs, facilities, and services for residents and visitors. The Commission operates and maintains more than 26,000 acres of parkland throughout the county, including land developed to provide parks, picnic areas, athletic fields, historic sites, community centers, and recreation facilities. In an effort to maintain the county's natural beauty, a large percentage of the land has been left undeveloped to serve as buffers and to provide natural open spaces.

With cooperation and input from diverse communities throughout Prince George's County, the Department operates a comprehensive park and recreation system that offers programs and facilities designed to meet the needs and interests of patrons of all ages. Outdoor festivals, live performances, trips, self-improvement classes, teen and senior activities, summer camps, fitness and sports programs, art and nature programs, and more than 40 miles of hiker/biker/equestrian trails are just a few of the recreational amenities offered.

A skilled and qualified workforce of community recreation specialists, park planners, naturalists, park police, support staff, and many others helps the Department provide quality services to the residents of Prince George's County.

P

rograms and services offered by M-NCPPC’s Department of Parks and Recreation impact Prince George’s County residents in positive ways.

• Healthy, longer lives • Life skills and job opportunities • Safe activities for all ages and abilities • Family and community connections

Recreation services become even more important in economic times like these, to provide people opportunities to unload their worries through vigorous, or even passive, activity.

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

– Frederick Douglass

Our investment in recreation keeps children and youth active and engaged in appropriate activities.

Our approach is to introduce, teach and provide opportunities for our young people to experience new and exciting leisure activities, including sports, arts and cultural programs.

Demographic changes in Prince George’s County communities have intensified the need for culturally diverse youth services. We must provide successful, accessible programs no matter what language they speak, their physical and mental abilities, or where they live in the county.

Young people are our greatest priority.

2 M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Maryland

Developing Children and Youth

Y

outh development focuses on the potential of children and adolescents as positive contributors to the larger community.

M-NCPPC is at the forefront in creating and implementing programs that respond to community needs. Guided by our Youth Action Plan, we offer young people recreation activities and facilities that enrich and enhance their physical health and well being, as well as their mental and social development. We are, in fact, a national leader in Youth Development—we won the National Association of Counties 2010 Achievement Award and Best in Category Award for our Safe Summer youth programming. And, we are a finalist for the Harvard Innovations in Government Award which will be announced in early 2011.

We see young people where they are spending their free time, when they are out of the classroom and with their friends and away from their parents. They need—and want—competent adult leadership. The research shows that a positive relationship with a caring adult is the single most critical factor in the success of any youth program.

The Department of Parks and Recreation is a safe and stimulating place where young people establish connections with their community, develop skills, enhance their sense of self discovery, and become resilient. This happens at community centers, in nature centers, during volunteer opportunities, at arts programs, sports activities, summer teen centers and camps—all across the range of youth activities within the Department. And as part of our Ready by 21 framework, we are teaching young people about values and communicating our expectation that they will be ready for school, ready for work, and ready for life by age 21.

4 M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Maryland

• More than 30,600 children participated in M-NCPPC summer playgrounds, day camps, child care and after-school programs in the past year.

• The Safe Summer late-night recreation program for teens attracted almost 40,000 visits by teens and young adults at sites throughout the county, providing safe havens and lowering incidents of crime and other anti-social behavior in the surrounding communities.

• Year-round Xtreme Teens programs provided teens and pre-teens with constructive Friday and Saturday night community center activities.

• 45 SAT prep classes were held, and 237 teens participated in Building Block readiness training to prepare them for volunteering and their first jobs.

In his recent book, “Last Child in the Woods”, author Richard Louv quotes a student as saying that he preferred to play inside since that is where the electrical outlets are!

There’s no doubt that computer games have a hold on the attention and imagination of many of our young people—as well as some of their parents. This certainly poses challenges for engaging them in making a difference in their community. Parks and Recreation is the antidote to that.

We are the largest seasonal employer of youth in Prince George’s County. We also provide thousands of young people with volunteer work and training, so they can meet high school graduation requirements, learn job skills, develop a lifetime habit of volunteerism and become productive and well-rounded adults.

Developing a Lifetime of Health

• Children’s sports programs include the Prince George’s Boys & Girls Club, Inc.; NFL Punt, Pass and Play, and Flag Football; Gloves Not Guns boxing programs; The First Tee golf training; inter-center basketball leagues; ice hockey; gymnastics; tennis; and swimming.

• 18,144 people learned to swim at M-NCPPC facilities last year. The Aqua Access program provided free swim lessons to youth and teens to save lives by drowning prevention.

• Health and nutrition are featured in all M-NCPPC Kids’ Care and after-school care programs.

6 M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Maryland

W

hile we’re already including thousands of children, teens and young adults in our health-related activities and programs, we need to do even more. We are faced with an epidemic of childhood obesity: the Prince George’s County Child and Adolescent Health Assessment report said obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise are among parents’ top health concerns and are areas for which they think current resources are insufficient. Nearly 40 percent of our children 2 to 11 are overweight. And almost 25 percent of our children sit inside watching television or playing video games more than three hours a day.

We’re embracing First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” curriculum in our various programs and services. We are implementing the President’s Council on Physical Fitness testing, and building stronger partnerships with Prince George’s County schools and the health department—along with other community stakeholders—to jointly address obesity and other health problems in the county.

M-NCPPC is committed to developing and carrying out a “Comprehensive Prevention Plan” that will keep our county healthy and fit.

Supporting Families

H

alf of M-NCPPC parks in Prince George’s County are located in neighborhoods, making them convenient for after-school play, family picnics, and local celebrations.

The majority of our facilities and programs are accessible to people with disabilities. M-NCPPC’s strong Inclusion Program encourages everyone to engage in leisure pursuits together, and we also offer specialized therapeutic recreation services.

Multi-generational programs include fitness and sports, performances and concerts, crafts and skills classes, nutrition workshops, health fairs, and special events such as the Winter Festival of Lights, Kinderfest and Festival of Nations.

Nearly 1500 family groups rented shelters and other facilities for family reunions in our parks last year. This level of demand ensures that Prince George’s County continues to be known as a major family reunion destination on the East Coast.

Safety is an important part of what makes our facilities and programs attractive to families.

The Maryland-National Capital Park Police works 24 hours a day patrolling our park system to prevent crime, apprehend criminals, and enforce criminal and motor vehicle laws and park regulations. A recent survey showed that 92% of the people who use the park system perceive it as safe.

Park rangers focus their efforts on community outreach, security and safety patrols, wildlife response calls, and special event support. Last year, they provided educational programs to more than 15,800 youth and adults.

As families become more stressed due to economics and social pressures, it will be even more important to offer high-quality, low-cost recreational activities and opportunities to county residents.

8 M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Maryland

Serving Seniors

B

eing a senior in Prince George's County is better than ever.

Today’s seniors are active and energetic, and looking to prolong a healthy life. Offering a wide range of programs, facilities and services, the Department of Parks and Recreation is dedicated to meeting the social, intellectual and recreational needs of older residents.

• Seniors (age 60 & up) participate at M-NCPPC’s Senior Activity Centers, and also in regular classes and activities alongside people of all ages at community centers and other facilities • Seniors receive free use of community center fitness rooms, as well as program discounts • More than 52,000 seniors have SMARTlink accounts with us, and the number is increasing quickly People age 60 and older come to M-NCPPC facilities and programs for social activities, fitness/health/wellness programs and classes, sports, the arts, trips, crafts, hobbies, games, movies, nature and more. They learn, play, relax, socialize and stay fit at M-NCPPC parks and facilities. They attend classes, or go to an exhibit or performance. Seniors who responded to a recent survey said they most often use our parks, trails, and picnic areas. We offer grandparentand-child activities—everything from holiday programs to art classes to sports. This growing group has more time for leisure, and they are enjoying it.

With Baby Boomers entering their senior years and people living longer, healthier lives in their own homes, we must respond quickly to their changing needs for more active recreation and increasing leisure time activities. Seniors expect—and deserve—high quality programs and facilities.

10 M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Maryland

Developing Experiences • Introduction to various sports • Arts and cultural opportunities • Nature experiences • Activities to capture the imagination

P

arks and Recreation fills the gaps in people’s experiences, and offers exposure to the arts, history and culture, the environment, and sports that may lead to the next great scientist, professional sports hero, celebrated artist, or wonderful writer. Or, we might provide the catalyst for someone’s second career or fulfilling retirement. And don’t forget the sorely needed fun and relaxation.

Because M-NCPPC is a public agency, we offer these recreational experiences at lower cost than others. In addition, we participate in a wide range of partnerships with organizations such as the Prince George’s County Boys & Girls Club, sports leagues, the YMCA, and faithbased organizations to further expand our network of programs. Additionally, many of these organizations allow our youth to further enhance individual skills, which affords them the opportunity to pursue their interests at competitive levels.

Our ongoing partners include wonderful education resources such as the University of Maryland, Bowie State University, and Prince George’s Community College.

We also have strong partnerships with the National Children’s Museum and National Harbor. All of these local resources make our programs stronger and impact the experiences people have at Department of Parks and Recreation programs and activities.

Nature • Hands-on nature activities, outdoor events and environmental education for families and school groups build an appreciation for the environment and allow children to experience life outdoors • Community gardens allow residents to reap nutrition benefits and experience the joy of locally grown food while working side by side with neighbors • Increased community pride resulted from 10 cleanup days and 40 tons of trash collected from wooded areas, streams and streets in 2010

E

xperiences in nature are healthy, and will result in renewed appreciation for conservation of land and natural resources, both now and in the future. It also is an opportunity for residents to link with the county’s agricultural history.

Our nature centers at Watkins and Cosca regional parks provide natural history and environmental education opportunities for more than 10,000 visitors each year. Programs include family campfires, discovery hikes, and elementary school environmental education.

One great example of renewed interest in the outdoors is our overnight camping program offered to at-risk teens each summer; a number of participants had never been out of an urban area, and had never slept in a tent or cooked a meal over a campfire. Those were rated the campers’ favorite activities at the end of the week.

We also have a number of well-known specialty areas, such as the new Dinosaur Park where children, families and researchers have made major paleontology finds. We have a coastal plain magnolia bog which is home to rare and beautiful carnivorous plants. The Patuxent Water Trail along our eastern border is becoming a tourist attraction which attracts kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts to explore the beautiful river, camp along its banks, and visit parks, historic sites, and refuges in the area. The trail is a cooperative project by M-NCPPC with the state government, conservation organizations, volunteer groups, and the business community.

12 M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Maryland

Expanding Arts and Culture • The cultural diversity of Prince George’s County is celebrated in the arts • Residents explore visual arts, music, dance, theater, and literary arts as spectators or participants. More than 232,000 people attended arts events and performances last year • M-NCPPC manages arts centers offering classes, exhibitions, dance and music concerts, and performances for children and seniors • We partner with agencies and community arts organizations to provide festivals and cultural celebrations that attracted 96,000 people last year • M-NCPPC manages historic sites and museums that tell the story of our county’s rich history rince George’s County benefits from artists and arts organizations that make this an electrifying and inspiring place to live. M-NCPPC’s wide variety of arts programs and services let residents explore visual art, music, dance, theater and literary arts as enthusiastic spectators or eager students, and artists are encouraged to share their work with the community in many ways.

M-NCPPC manages art centers that offer art exhibitions of emerging and established artists, dance and music concerts, performances for children and families, teas, festivals, and classes in the visual and performing arts. Programs such as Café Groove, Expressions and The Prince George’s Children’s Theatre encourage youth to explore their own creativity.

Several performance and exhibition spaces are available for rental by community-based arts organizations. M-NCPPC

P

14 M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Maryland

partners with other agencies to provide festivals and other arts related activities, and county-based artists can receive information on professional development, exhibition, performance and teaching opportunities. We also are participating in the redevelopment of the Route 1 corridor, with major financial and programming support for the Arts District. Our Brentwood Arts Exchange is located at the Gateway Arts Center, and offers visual arts classes for all ages, coupled with an art gallery and a store selling fine craft items by local artisans.

We operate 12 historic sites and museums where residents can learn about the county’s history through tours, exhibits, lectures, and special events. Several of these historic sites also are available for public rental. These important sites range from the popular College Park Aviation Museum, which tells the story of the oldest continuously operating airport in the world and its connection to many firsts in aviation, to the Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park, which describes the archaeology of 8,000 years of American Indian presence, includes colonial development and the first seat of government in Prince George’s County, moving on for the stories of those who lived and worked on a tobacco plantation. Other museums document Prince George’s County’s connection with the Lincoln assassination, the founder of the University of Maryland, and slave quarters with recovered artifacts and information about the lives of African American slaves and tenant farmers. M-NCPPC’s Black History Program conducts research about the history of African Americans in Prince George’s County, and provides exhibits and cultural programs for schools and organizations in the county. Several of our museums and history programs have affiliations with the Smithsonian Institution, and collaborate with other museums and historians.

Sports • County residents take advantage of M-NCPPC sports teams and leagues to play soccer, basketball, tennis, football, and baseball. Others use our facilities to play or train in gymnastics, swimming, golf, track, and boxing.

• The Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex remains the most popular facility M-NCPPC operates.

• Specialized facilities such as the Prince George’s Equestrian Center and ShowPlace Arena, and the Prince George’s Stadium serve distinct market segments

I

n addition to our own sports facilities, leagues and programs, we have strong collaborations with local sports providers. For instance, we installed an artificial turf field with a financial donation from DeMatha High School—this benefits not only DeMatha’s teams, but also other groups in the community. We partner with the University of Maryland for training facilities. And a new partnership with the Washington Nationals brought their Winter Caravan of players and coaches to Prince George’s County for the first time, and provided opportunities for hundreds of our county youth to see a professional ballgame, work out with Big League players at clinics around the county, and walk onto the field at Nationals Park.

16 M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Maryland

Infrastructure Development • M-NCPPC capital development is driven by community needs • Number of active projects: 120+ • Estimated contract value: $130 million • Estimated number of people employed by these projects: 1000+ • The Capital Improvement Program is a multi-year program devoted to building and renovating facilities, as well as the acquisition of land for potential parks • Maintenance is a key part of the program, and growing in importance

T

he Department of Parks and Recreation’s capital development program goes hand-in-hand with the expressed desires of residents, and their need for spaces for programs, activities and services. All of our construction and infrastructure projects generate jobs and tax revenue for Prince George’s County.

And as part of our construction projects, we also improve and revitalize the overall infrastructure of the county with new roads and traffic improvements, sidewalks, lighting, trails and other amenities. All of this reverberates throughout our communities.

One of our major focuses is ongoing maintenance and major maintenance of our older, established facilities. We must remain good stewards of what we already have, and not keep building more and more new facilities that we will not have the money to operate and maintain.

Right now, we have more than 120 active M-NCPPC construction projects.

These range from simple playground upgrades and equipment replacements of about $120,000 to the $13 million for design and construction of the Southern Regional Tech Rec Complex. The projects are in various phases of development— some are in planning stages, some are in design, others are out for bid, and some are under construction. These active projects have approved budgets and design and construction contracts of $130 million—an absolutely amazing number during this period of decline in construction programs.

18 M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Maryland

Economic Development

Development Direction •

The CIP directly impacts the operating budget

•

M-NCPPC uses the CIP to plan for facilities that will open in the future

•

We are refining the focus for future development of recreation facilities

• Major parks and recreation events bring $35 million annually to the economy of Prince George’s County, with 971,000 visitors last year • The overall perception of the county is positively impacted by the value and marketability of high quality parks and recreation facilities • Investments in park land and open spaces help attract new business to our community and keep existing businesses here

W

hile the millions of dollars that may fund new construction mostly go directly into the CIP, there also is an impact on the operating budget of the Department of Parks and Recreation. A new community center, for example, will require personnel to staff it and run programs. Utilities, janitorial services, and maintenance of equipment also require funding. In addition, PAYGO is sometimes utilized, transferring cash directly from the Operating Budget to CIP Projects in an attempt to provide immediate funding and reduce long-term debt burdens.

It is important that we set, follow and meet standards for the design, construction, maintenance and renovation of facilities and amenities so that we have long-term sustainability.

In 2009, we began an evaluation of our programs and facilities to determine our capacity to meet demands now and in the future. As part of this continuing 2010 and Beyond needs assessment project, we found that there was an expressed desire from the community for equitable distribution of indoor facilities across the county. The majority of participants are not using the centers closest to their homes, but are driving or taking other forms of transportation to other sites.

At the same time, we need to move toward an urban recreation model, based on changing demographics in Prince George’s County. One of the strong recommendations from the assessment project is to change our service model and move from numerous small, single-purpose community facilities to building large, multi-purpose regional centers that offer classrooms for programming for all ages, gyms, fitness centers, indoor pools, and walking tracks—all in one place. Continuing to build stand-alone, small centers buried in neighborhoods not served by public transportation is financially unfeasible and unappealing to residents. We also need to re-purpose underutilized or lessdesired facilities to meet current and future needs. These may include changes to tennis courts, ball fields, and other amenities.

20 M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Maryland

P

arks and Recreation events and activities that attract tourism dollars—such as regional and national track meets, horse shows, gymnastics competitions, swim meets, and softball tournaments—add to Prince George’s County collection of admissions and amusement taxes, hotel and motel taxes, and sales taxes based on our visitors’ spending. M-NCPPC contributes to Prince George’s County having the highest total direct tourism tax impact of any county in the state ($82,570,152 in FY09).

M-NCPPC Parks and Recreation provides important attributes that new and expanding businesses and new residents look for in a community. National surveys show that parks, trails, playgrounds, and other amenities are included in the mix of things being considered when it is time to relocate. In addition to neighborhood parks, four regional parks in the county encompass nearly 2,500 acres of mixed use recreational land which provides habitat protection and more than 100 miles of trails for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. We make Prince George’s County more attractive as a location.

In addition, M-NCPPC employees live and shop in Prince George’s County.

And, our Glenridge Maintenance site in New Carrollton is directly in the path of the Purple Line.

This important part of the Transit Development Overlay Zone can be an important part of the county match for Purple Line light rail development.

Management Effectiveness wards and certifications validate that M-NCPPC is one of the most respected departments in the parks and recreation industry. We are a five-time National Gold Medal Award winner, and recently earned re-accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). We also earned re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

We have respected, professional management and staff, with a commitment to ongoing training and customer service. Strong financial management structures are in place.

The management model for the Department of Parks and Recreation is based on a strategic vision of empowering division chiefs and their staff members, employing the next generation of workers, encouraging new ideas and taking risks, developing partnerships and collaborations, and responding to the needs of the community.

Prince George’s County has invested in its parks and recreation system at a level unmatched by others. Through mandatory dedication of park land for active and passive recreation, M-NCPPC routinely gains valuable land under Subtitle 24 of the Prince George’s County Code. These lands include flood plains, sensitive wetland habitats, and other natural resources. No other county in the nation provides this level of proactive opportunity.

As part of the 2010 and Beyond needs assessment, we set a goal of having 35 acres of parkland per thousand residents. We are currently a bit under that number, and with the projected 12% population growth in the county by 2040, we must add a total of 8,700 more acres to meet that standard.

The new acreage will need to serve a variety of purposes, including developed parks, natural and conservation areas, and trails. Some of this land will come from the mandatory park land dedication requirements of new developments— again, something Prince George’s County does that other park systems only wish they had, and that has allowed us to have the wonderful park system now in place.

We are required by the State of Maryland to submit an Open Space Plan, and much of this research and information from the 2010 and Beyond project directly impacts our state support through such funding sources as Project Open Space.

A

22 M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Maryland

The mission of the Department of Parks and ehensive park and recreation

Looking to the Future Strategic initiatives and priorities are moving M-NCPPC’s Department of Parks and Recreation toward: • More economic development impact • Cost savings • More connection with schools, colleges and universities; libraries and county agencies addressing public works, transportation, health, youth, and family services • Increased connections and partnerships with community resources and the private sector

A community’s system of parks, trails, natural areas, and civic or cultural areas is an interconnected system. It provides us with a significant opportunity to uphold all three legs of sustainability— economic development, environmental stewardship, and social stability. M-NCPPC’s Department of Parks and Recreation provides all three.

programs, facilities, and services which respond to changing needs within our communities.

We strive to preserve, enhance, and protect open spaces to enrich the quality of life for present and future generations in a safe and secure environment.

Customer Service Help Desk

301-699-2255

Our strategic focus includes:

Park Permits Office

301-699-2400

Mission-driven core services,

Park Police (Emergency)

301-459-3232

revenue diversification, customer-

Park Police (Non-Emergency)

301-459-9088

focused programs, management

Park Police (Information)

301-459-9091

and employee accountability, contemporary technologies, prioritized capital improvement program, and performance measurement.

24 M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Maryland

M-NCPPC Department of Parks & Recreation Main Contact Numbers