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<br /> , � properties,they have a negative effect on prop- Resources
<br /> ,0*,' erry values. Thus, in the rush to build rev-
<br /> ''k.e Af' . ,, , enue-enhancing facilities, communities may Contacts. For more informa-
<br /> , 4 :`�. ? ,;',a. be losing property tax revenue and all the tion on Atlanta's Centennial
<br /> collateral benefits of land value. Olympic Park, call 404-223
<br /> t''' . 4,. The typical city parks and recreation staff is 4412;e-mail,info @centennial
<br /> out of necessity focused on day-to-day opera park.com; on the web at
<br /> °ono„ tions and service provision.Moreover,in many www.gwcc.com.The Louisville
<br /> ..� communities the parks department is out of Olmsted Parks Conservancy is
<br /> synch with the planning department. The at 502-456-8125. Reach
<br /> two agencies often have a fundamentally dif- Cleveland's ParkWorks at 216-
<br /> ferent philosophy and mission. 696-2122; amzparkworks
<br /> What's needed is enlightened leadership, @aol.com.
<br /> says the City Parks Forum's Mary Eysenbach. Garvin on parks."Some things
<br /> "You need to have civic leaders with the kind of have not changed since
<br /> p' vision that can bring everyone together."And Olmsted's time,"says Alexander
<br /> who fills that role best?"Mayors,"says Eysenbach. Garvin,author of a recent APA
<br /> "They have the ability to take the broad view Planning Advisory Service re-
<br /> „°' . and the power to act on behalf of their con- port, Parks, Recreation, and
<br /> s stituents. The mayor is responsible for the Open Space:A Twenty first Cen-
<br /> overall health of the city." tury Agenda. "People,even to-
<br /> Twice a year,the City Parks Forum brings day,want to get away from the
<br /> Don Wesely(Lincoln,Nebraska),DavidArmstrong together a group of mayors,their park advis- noise and confusion of daily
<br /> (Louisville,at microphone), C.Jack Ellis(Macon, ers,and community leaders for a symposium life and want to do so on their
<br /> Georgia),Kerry Donley(Alexandria, Virginia). on issues related to park development and own. It is not enough for a
<br /> stewardship. parks department to offer struc
<br /> ■ The symposium is a unique opportunity tured recreational activities.
<br /> life. This is especially true of high tech, re- for the mayors to focus exclusively on parks People need to have a place at
<br /> •te h and development industries, and cor- for two whole days. During that time,recog- their disposal where they can
<br /> headquarters. Communities with ex- nized parks experts provide insights into best go to stroll or lie in the grass or
<br /> cellent park systems have a distinct advantage park practices and point out the interconnec- bicycle whenever the mood
<br /> when it comes to luring these companies, tions between parks and the economic,envi- strikes them and not just when
<br /> Crompton says. ronmental, social, and cultural health of cit- it is a scheduled activity."
<br /> Crompton points out that current studies ies.Each mayor presents a case study of a local City Parks Forum. APA's
<br /> show that real estate values and property taxes park and the forum participants suggest pos- City Parks Forum symposia
<br /> are enhanced by the presence of a park—just sible solutions. have been held in Louisville,
<br /> as they were in Olmsted's time. However, Minneapolis,New Orleans,and
<br /> there is a catch.When recreational facilities in Michael Barrette is a consultant and freelance writer Pittsburgh.Participating cities
<br /> in Chicago.
<br /> parks create a nuisance for the surrounding include Kansas City, Kansas;
<br /> Allentown,Pennsylvania;To-
<br /> ledo,Ohio;Madison,Wiscon-
<br /> sin; Knoxville, Tennessee;
<br /> Rochester, New York; Fort
<br /> and two views ofyoungsters taking part in a daily arts and crafts summer program Worth,Texas;Alexandria,Vir-
<br /> at Walter Burks Park in Cleveland. ginia;Macon, Georgia; Reno,
<br /> a k` ", k k w Mi, 5 ;� ,,� Nevada;Lincoln,Nebraska;and
<br /> . `Fi , � .` 1. ,k ,. ' , '. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The
<br /> 1
<br /> i,a - next symposium is scheduled
<br /> for this fall in Chicago. For
<br /> r , " more information,call the fo-
<br /> T t ' 4 ' , rum at 312-786-6395;e-mail:
<br /> k l ,i 1t, meysenbach @planning.org;
<br /> l i
<br /> j� 1i www.cityparksforum.org.
<br /> ..,'E.' °° ; , Ann Zoller,John Crompton,
<br /> li °r Lee Springgate, and Susan
<br /> Rademacher are all faculty mem-
<br /> bers of the City Parks Forum.
<br /> kW
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