The Enterprise Approach

Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association

Tom O’Rourke, Executive Director

Charleston County Park and Recreation

Commission

torourke@ccprc.com

My Goal Today

Get your brain around the “Business Aspects” of our

profession

Definition of Enterprise

An undertaking, especially one of some scope, complication, and risk. A business – an industrious effort, especially when directed toward making money. Readiness to venture; boldness; initiative

Enterprise Approach in a Parks and Recreation

environment Reliance on a business approach toward User Fees

Daily Business Management Practices

Performance and Results Management

Why ?

Does the Public view you

as a Trusted, Credible, Business Enterprise?

How to Start

Know your Agencies Funding Philosophy

Know how much your citizens are paying for their recreation services

Operational Funding Philosophy

Know Yours !

Create an Agency Framework

Where do you start?

Factors that could influence your creating an Agency Framework

• How much “Agency Baggage” are you carrying?

• What is the political environment of your government?

• What is your competition?

• What does YOUR public want?

Vision

Values

Mission

Planning

Alignment

Vision

Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission is…

•… to be a diverse park system that has offerings for all. •… recognized as a leader in the care of Natural, Cultural, and Historical Resources. •… a place where employees respect each other and have respect for the contribution each employee makes in the success of the Agency. •… a place where professional ethics, professional management, and professional behavior, of CCPRC employees is the culture. •… a family!

COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT

STEWARDSHIP

FUN

DIVERSITY

ACCESSIBILITY

QUALITY

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE

SAFETY

LEADERSHIP

BUILDING A LEGACY

Values

Mission

The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission will improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs, and services.

Planning

Comprehensive Agency Master Plan

Park System Mission and Goals

CCPRC Identity and Mission

Affirmation of Goals and Objectives

Demographics Analysis

Recreation Trends Analysis

Level of Service Standards and Criteria

Park Classification System Recommendations

Natural and Cultural Resource Management Recommendations

Community Demand, Supply and Needs Analysis

Recreation Facilities

Recreation Programs

Trails

Open Space

Ten-Year Plan for Growth

New Park Master Plan Priorities and Recommendations

Existing and Future Park Facility Expansion and Improvement Priorities and Recommendations

Trails and Greenways Master Plan Update

Open Space Acquisition Priorities and Recommendations

Budgeting and Funding Priorities and Recommendations

Future Bond referendum strategy

Identify and serve current and future park and recreational needs through an integrated park system that provides adequate open space, recreational services and facilities, trails, and stewardship of natural and cultural resources

Establish a park classification system and appropriate management recommendations reflecting current and future growth by the park system

Identify the future quantities and locations of open space acreage needed to satisfy the current and future recreation needs of Charleston County

Ensure the long term protection, preservation and sustainability of park resources

Promote the conservation of natural and cultural resources through parkland acquisition, stewardship, and environmentally sensitive planning

Provide facilities that promote sustainability goals by developing environmentally sensitive design principles

Identify historic preservation management objectives

Identify natural resource management objectives

Provide an accessible and diverse offering of park and

recreation facilities and programs to all residents of Charleston

County

• Define the role of CCPRC in contributing towards quality of life in

Charleston County

• Identify and prioritize recreation facilities needed at existing and future

parks

• Provide for current and future park and recreational needs through

facility expansion at new and existing sites, and through optimizing use

of all existing facilities

• Identify and prioritize recreation programs and special events needed

throughout the park system

• Educate and promote the stewardship of Charleston County’s historic,

cultural, and natural heritage

• Promote water activities and programs and improve access to

waterways

• Match community needs with park facilities and services

Establish an updated greenways and trails master plan, including trails for recreational use within park facilities, as well as Countywide greenway corridors and linkages.

Develop a network of pedestrian and bicycle paths, nature trails, greenways and linear linkages

Encourage cooperative agreements and partnerships with other governmental jurisdictions to achieve a county wide trail system

Develop an action plan: a strategy for prioritizing, phasing, funding, and accomplishing the identified needs.

Provide the opportunity for community involvement in the planning, construction, and programming of recreation and park facilities

Identify dedicated funding sources for the acquisition, management, development, operation and maintenance of parks and recreation lands, facilities, and programs

Identify a strategy for maintaining and developing partnerships to implement goals

Identify a strategy for ongoing growth and improvements to the park system through the Parkland Foundation

Everyone that works at CCPRC knows…

…why they wake up and come to work?

…what they are trying to achieve?

…what “the plan” is?

CCRPC Enterprise

Case Study

Enterprise Examples

Enterprise Examples

On the

Drawing Board

Where do you find money?

You Must

Feed the System!

What Is The Value of Charleston County

Parks?

Direct Revenue

Food and

Retail

$1,227,332

Other

Services

$965,300

Rentals and

Leases

$ 3,101,549

Programs

$617,689 $12,964,165

Passes, Fees,

Admissions$7,052,

295

Economic Effects of CCPRC on the Community

Revenue Direct Revenue

Tourism Impact

Visitor Impact

Tax Benefits

Natural Capital Air Quality

Water Storage/Quality

Disturbance Regulation

Wildlife/Habitat

• Public Access Ocean, Beach, and Waterways

Beach Renourishment Funds

• Societal Health Education Quality of Life

13%

Information presented comes from

Approximately sixty peer reviewed professional journal articles

Tourism research and marketing survey data

Staff research

Interviews with resource experts

Note: All monetary values presented are annual.

Tourists are attracted to spend money by parks and

programs JICP Campground Economic Impact

Study: 33,645 non-county

visitors x $181.69 per camper

spent in local economy

during their stay

NOTE: According to the CVB, tourists choose Charleston as a

destination because of the following assets: History #1,

Attractions #3, and Beaches/Waterfront #4.

$6,112,960

Park patrons spend money

in the local economy • Park patrons in park systems similar to CCPRC

spent $17-$35/patron in surrounding areas

• Revenue infused in local economy generated by CCPRC visitors: (2,155,677 visitors annually) x ($17.22 per person in 2010 $) =

$37,120,758

Stewarded parks filter the air Air Quality Services

Maintains carbon dioxide, oxygen balance and proper levels of ozone for UVB protection

Helps Charleston County meet stringent federal guidelines for air quality

Replacement benefit =

$903,525

Stewarded parks filter & hold water Water Quality Services

Rainwater is absorbed, stored, and slowly released.

Soil is protected from erosion and silt is stored in wetlands.

Nitrogen and other important nutrients are cycled.

Pollution is filtered naturally.

Replacement benefit =

$28,850,785

Stewarded parks prevent or mitigate disasters

Disaster Services

• Storm protection

• Flood control

• Drought recovery

Replacement Benefit =

$11,259,537

Stewarded parks provide wildlife habitat

Wildlife Services

• Migratory species

• Locally harvested species

such as blue crabs & shrimp

• Other species of interest

$747,648

Access to Charleston County Beach Parks

• Studies estimate a $12.28/person (2010 $)“access” value based on people’s “willingness to pay” to visit beaches

• CCPRC entrance fee: $7

Total visitors to CCPRC Beach

Parks in 2010: 330,051x

($12.28 - $7), resulting in

$1,742,669 in value in excess

of entrance fee revenue $1,742,669

A new perspective on the Atlantic Ocean

Folly Beach Fishing Pier Access

Fee to walk on the pier: $0

Avg. entrance fee for similar SC piers: $1.25

Combined savings for the experience: (281,336 FBFP visitors per year ) x ($1.25 avg. fee) =

$351,670

Volunteer Labor Value

14,073.25 Total Volunteer Labor Hours in 2010 x S.C. value of Volunteer Labor $16.80/hour $236,430

Parks enhance property values

Studies show values

of properties in close

proximity to

well-maintained

parks are higher.

Additional taxes collected from

adjacent properties and used to

fund municipal services

Public Access

CCPRC operates 19 public boat ramps that provide access to Charleston County’s waterways. CCPRC charges no fees for using boat ramps.

In three beach communities, CCPRC offers public

access with facilities; an Office of Coastal

Resource Management requirement to receive

funding for beach renourishment.

Beach Renourishment Funding

Waterways

Stress Reduction Over 100 studies find that spending time in nature reduces stress and depression.

An average of $7500 per employee is spent annually in the US on stress related expenses.

Virtually all CCPRC offerings help reduce stress.

www.stressdirections.

com

Obesity One of 7 organizations that sponsor the Cooper River Bridge Run; an event that attracts over 30,000 runners

48 miles of trails

Healthy lifestyle programs in 40 local elementary schools

Many triathlon and other fitness events throughout the system

Emotional Disorders Inclusive parks and

programs provide a

wide diversity of

experiences for all

needs.

No Child Left Inside programs provide incentives

for families to recreate together.

Education Environmental Education and Social Studies Education programs reinforce curriculum standards for about 18,000 students a year.

CCPRC is the 1st park and recreation

agency in the nation to be accredited by the Association for Experiential Education.

Community Education partners with CCSD

to offer county wide extended day programs and youth & adult enrichment courses to

over 9000 people a year.

Quality of Life CCPRC’s mission: “To improve the quality of life in

Charleston County.”

Offer special events for over 43,000 to build a socially cohesive, diverse community.

Serve over 40,000 free meals to school aged children when school is not in session

Train over 600 children in the basics of water safety through the SHARKS afterschool program

Provide meeting facilities through its partnership with CCSD so over 22,000 people can attend public meetings

CCPRC helps build a socially

cohesive, diverse and

safe community.

Know who you are!

Responsible Management

Money Earned Money Saved

Direct Revenue:$10,302,604

Air Quality: $790,339

Tourism: $5,224,831 Water Storage/Quality: $27,881,013

Effect on Local Businesses: $29,314,817

Disaster Mitigation: $10,114,607

Taxes: $77,811

Wildlife/Habitat: $671,536

Public Access: $4,574,794

Overall Economic Impact on Community

Monetary Value of CCPRC Services

Stewardship Dependent CCPRC Services

12%

39%

0%1%

31%

11%

1% 5%

$88,952,352Direct Revenue

Impact on Local BusinessProximity Effect

Air Quality

Water Quality

Disaster Mitigation

Wildlife

Public Access

More Comprehensive Worth of CCPRC

$100,373,585.30

+

Beneficial effects on

health, education,

and quality of life

More tourism dollars for

businesses around parks

Access to

renourishme

nt funding,

beaches, &

waterways

$30.89 invested per CC resident

$286.61 in value per resident

$255.72 in value exceeding investment

Approximately a 728% return on each taxpayers

investment in the park system.

Why We Do What We Do

$10,818,659.14

$100,373,585.30

$89,554,926.16

Thank You

torourke@ccprc.com