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Parks teeter on edge of cuts

Clearwater has spent years building its parks department. The tax debate might spur cutbacks.

By MIKE DONILA
Published April 29, 2007

On the eastern approach to Clearwater, along the Courtney Campbell Parkway, is a small but significant sign: "Clearwater, Florida: Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary Sportstown"

The accolade in 2004 validated what leaders had spent decades striving for - to build a city known as a wonderful place to play.

But with Florida's Legislature expected to pass sweeping property tax changes next week or in a later special session, Clearwater will likely be forced to cut the very thing it is most proud of.

Here, as in most communities, politicians say they'll heed residents' demands that they not cut public safety - police and fire. But could there be political backlash if local leaders severely cut Clearwater's renowned recreation department?

Some critics say it's about time Clearwater reins in its recreation spending. But leaders have had little success over the years cutting major amenities. In 1999, residents fought off closing a heated swimming pool at one recreation center, and a few years ago residents convinced the city not to close the beach library.

"I can cut 10 percent, just tell me what you don't want us to do anymore, " said Kevin Dunbar, the city's parks and recreation director. "Every one of our services has a constituency base - we have something for everyone and people who participate usually have a passion for why and whatever they're involved in."

* * *

Clearwater's commitment to recreation began in earnest in the 1970s, when the city began acquiring property that would eventually become the Ream Wilson Trail, a 4.7-mile stretch from the Long Center to the Safety Harbor city line.

The city would later adopt a policy that aimed to place a neighborhood park within 1 mile of every home.

City leaders say residents spurred the growth, because they wanted more to do and more places to go.

"We're not spending money for the sake of spending money, " City Manager Bill Horne said. "But one of the reasons people call Clearwater home is because of the quality of life we offer."

Clearwater's park and recreation system has 240 employees. It maintains or contracts vendors for 700 pieces of property, including 1, 500 acres of parkland, 37 neighborhood parks, 60 ball fields and 10 recreation centers. It is also responsible for lands along Memorial Causeway and much of Clearwater Beach's shoreline.

Residents can learn to sail at the Sailing Center or visit a one-winged eagle at Moccasin Lake Nature Park. They can use the state's largest outdoor skate park; take yoga, lift weights or swim at the city's pools. Physically impaired residents can exercise at one of the few parks dedicated to their needs, called a "limitless playground."

"We're the fabric that creates this community, " Dunbar said. "We maintain most of it, we maintain the beach, we're responsible for the first impression of Clearwater.

"You have to look at the quality of life - it's why people want to live here."

Such largesse is costly. Clearwater was positioned to be the only major Florida city that would spend more money on parks and recreation in 2007-08 than on fire services, according to a St. Petersburg Times analysis. Parks spending would have been second only to police services.

* * *

But some residents say it's just too expensive.

Will Perry, who lives in Countryside, says he rides his bike daily, passing neighborhood playgrounds that are rarely used. He points to a well-manicured, 2-acre field near Lake Chautauqua Park that is banked for a future park.

"I wouldn't mind having my lawn look that nice, " said Perry, 70. "Let's sell it, get it back on the tax rolls. It's like many things. You can have so much of a good thing that it breaks the bank."

Marty Altner, who spent the past six months on a City Council-appointed task force charged with proposing budget cuts, said the city should be proud of its recreation department, but it's now time to reduce costs.

"As long as you had the dollars it was a good idea, " he said. "But unless it's an absolute necessity - like a fire house - then I don't think we're going to need it."

Still, while some see empty playgrounds, others see packed tennis courts, recreation centers and ballparks.

The city this year sold more than 17, 000 recreation passes that allow free use of its centers and pools. About 5, 000 children participate in the 16 different youth sports programs. And the centers had more than 2.3-million visits in the past year.

Overall, the department brings in more than $3-million in user fees to offset its $22.3-million budget, the most of any department that's paid for by the general fund, Dunbar said.

Kristin Koller, who moved to the area from Arizona a decade ago, said the playgrounds and parks mean a new adventure each day for her two children.

"They have everything you can imagine, even programs that range from animals to astronomy and that's good, especially in the summer when it's hot out, " Koller, 37, said last week as her family visited the Long Center. "Its gets you indoors but still gives you something to do."

At least one expert said the city should carefully examine what it will lose if it dramatically cuts programs.

Recreation centers get teens in touch with strong mentors, and bring families closer; they increase property values and reduce crime, said Stephen Anderson, a community development professor at the University of Florida.

"One benefit that people don't realize is that there's no better way to create or develop a sense of community than through parks and recreation, " said Anderson, a member of UF's Tourism and Recreation and Sport Management faculty.

* * *

So far, city leaders have remained circumspect about exactly how property tax cuts, if approved by the Legislature, will play out in city services.

In preliminary recommendations released last week, the city manager proposed cutting $1.4-million, including nearly 30 jobs, out of the parks and recreation department. The proposals would shutter an older recreation center, consolidate another with a library and turn a third over to a nonprofit group.

But how much overall the city will have to cut is far from clear until the Legislature acts, as proposed cuts have ranged from $8-million to $18-million for Clearwater's coffers.

The city will have to balance "the wants vs. the needs, " said Mayor Frank Hibbard.

So far the department's director has crafted a few alternatives, including cutting subsidies to popular programs like the Performing Arts Center & Theater, doing away with some special events, scraping upgrades to recreation centers and eliminating some building maintenance. He also proposes whittling operation hours for many recreation departments and swimming pools.

Fast Facts:

Playground Clearwater

The city's amenities are credited with helping Clearwater attract not only national attention, but also economically beneficial events. Among the highlights:

- Sports Illustrated named the city the No. 1 "Sportstown" for Florida in 2004 to celebrate the magazine's 50th anniversary

- National Geographic called it one of the country's most active beaches

- Environmentalist Stephen Leatherman, better known as Dr. Beach, routinely lists it as a top visiting spot

- The U.S .Tennis Association has the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Center as one of the top five in the country

- The Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 competition moved here in 2006

- Spring training home of the Philadelphia Phillies

- National hall of fame exhibits for horseshoes as well as shuffleboard reside in recreational facilities

[Last modified April 28, 2007, 20:03:04]