5.6 Revenue Generating Programs
There are potential opportunities to enhance revenue generation to offset the costs of parks and recreation service provision. Certain of these practices are in place now, and other opportunities are also discussed, along with the possible need for policy to support revenue generation. Existing programs include memorial tree and bench, advertising, sponsorship and donations. Suggested programs include kitchen rentals and community capital campaigns. Among those that the Town opts to pursue, priority should be assigned in order of the ease with which each can be implemented.
simply donate as a philanthropic gesture to beautify a community park. Donations towards the purchase of park enhancements or memorial gifts can include park benches, trees (hardwood and conifers), bike racks, picnic tables, sun shelters, sports equipment (basketball standards, tennis nets, soccer goals, etc.), playground structures, other options to be discussed with Parks Services.” 6 The policy also notes that donations for parks are guided by site- specific plans. Strathcona County’s (Alberta) Parkland Memorial Program notes: “The Parkland Memorial Program provides individuals, groups, and organizations with the opportunity to beautify Parkland in Strathcona County by planting trees or installing Parkland Amenities in remembrance, observance or acknowledgment of an appropriate event, occasion or individual. Approval of applications will be based on aesthetic considerations, improvements to the level of service to our Parkland users and with the intention of facilitating planned development in our Parkland. “Amenity” means any bench, table, park furnishing or other structure or development that increases the physical or material comfort of the park. It may include a memorial plaque.” 7
Memorial Tree and Bench Program
These types of programs are designed to encourage citizens to commemorate people or events through donations that ‘purchase’ parks-based amenities, some of which are eligible for charitable tax receipts. The Town’s program is currently under review. As part of that process, consider discontinuing the stone memorial program due to concerns with theft and maintenance issues. For comparative purposes, the Master Plan provides a sample of municipal programs - some of which encompass a potentially broader scope for community support, while others are more specific. Components of these policies that the Town does not currently include can be considered as part of the current, or a future, review. The City of Greater Sudbury’s Parks Services Donation and Memorial Program allows the public to “make donations to commemorate a special person, a momentous occasion or
6 https://agendasonline.greatersudbury. ca/?pg=feed&action=file&attachment=5992.pdf 7 https://storagecdn.strathcona.ca/files/files/lls- ser-011-023_parkland_memorial_program.pdf
124
Town of Tillsonburg | DRAFT Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting