Loading...
5.4.21 Parks and Rec PresentationWhy invest in Parks & Rec? images from Prattville’s Parks Who We Are Parks and Recreation Staff 23 full-time 35 concession/scorekeeper 35 lifeguards 4 part-timeEMPLOYEES What We Do image from Candy Walk fa c i l i t i e s ev e n t s ar t s pa r k s fi e l d s Who We Reach Recreation for everyone. yo u t h ad u l t s se n i o r s How We Contribute image from Whetstone Complex “ Just as water, sewer, and public safety are considered essential public services, parks are vitally important to establishing and maintaining the quality of life in a community, ensuring the health of families and youth, and contributing to the economic and environmental well-being of a community and a region. NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION image from Overlook Park Youth Development ▪“Children who are active in sports are more likely to be physically active in adulthood” (Eime et al., 2013). ▪“Students who participate in at least one hour of extracurricular activities per week are 49% less likely to use drugs” (Witt and Caldwell, 2010). image from Girls’ Softball Program Mental Health ▪“In a nationwide survey, parents of kids with ADHD rated after-school activities in outdoor settings as significantly more helpful than those not in these settings” (NRPA, 2010). ▪“Time spent in the lushness of green environments […] reduces sadness and depression” (NRPA, 2010). image from Heritage Park Physical Health “While exercise trends come and go, people tend to stick with physical activities that they enjoy most. Parks provide the venues for these activities-organized sports, running, biking, gardening, hiking, swimming, among many others” (NRPA, 2010). image from North Highland Park Tourism Each year we transform Downtown Prattville into a holiday destination, with visitors from all over the state coming in and enjoying dinner at our restaurants and holiday shopping in our stores. ECONOMIC IMPACT “Places that possess a high quality of life-including a wealth of recreational amenities-are more likely to attract highly skilled, entrepreneurial workers. The presence of these workers, in turn, attracts companies” (NPRA, 2018). image from Overlook Park Economic Impact 80% of families spend $100 or more per month per child on youth sports, with 7% spending $1000+ (TD Ameritrade, 2019). image from Girl’s Softball Program Progress in Prattville Sports Tourism image from Upper Kingston Soccer Fields 112tournaments hosted since taking over the youth baseball and softball programs in 2019 image from Whetstone Park $311,240.53 2019 Soccer, Baseball, and Softball Program Revenue (includes registration fees and concession sales) image from Upper Kingston Park $330,974.39 2020 Soccer, Baseball, Softball, and Football Program Revenueeven while competing with COVID-19 (includes registration fees and concession sales) image from Mac Gray Park $203,338.00 2021 Soccer, Baseball, Softball, and Football Program Revenueto date, with 6 months left in fiscal year (includes registration fees and concession sales) image from Whetstone Park 2020 ~$650,000 Economic Impact ▪216 boats, 432 anglers including out-of-state participants Alabama Bass Trail at Cooters Pond 2021 May 8 Next Tournament ▪225 boats, 450 anglers expected to compete 2019 $649,271 Economic Impact ▪Participants spent $360 each per day on food, fuel, lodging, and more *City of Prattville Sponsorship of this Event is $7500 Taking notes from our neighbors ▪Sports tourism event attendance has grown by 107%since the City of FOLEY opened the Foley Event Center in 2017. ▪DOTHAN has seen rapid growth since investing in sports tourism and expects $12 million in visitor spending and 45,000 hotel rooms booked due to sports events in 2021. ▪July 15-20, 2019, COASTAL MISSISSIPPI hosted a softball tournament that brought in 130+ teams from 18 states. ▪VICKSBURG, MS,constructed a new sports facility in 2019 that is expected to generate $24 million in direct sales and tourism annually. ▪JACKSON, MS,hosts many youth sports tourism events and has seen an increase in families coming to the area as they also have other family attractions. Where is the need? image from Cooters Pond Park “ Existing parks […] need to be maintained over time, improvements made for ADA accessibility and, in some cases, substantially renovated or re-programmed. PROJECT PRATTVILLE 2040 image from Wilderness Park “ During the visioning process, community participants indicated their desires for enhancing Prattville’s parks and recreation system, [… including] building on existing sports programs and facilities to create a stronger sports tourism draw. PROJECT PRATTVILLE 2040 image from Mac Gray Park Whetstone Complex Building on success. Goal: Improve upon current successes. The youth baseball program has been a huge success, prompting the need for more fields and parking. Additional Fields $1,446,100 Existing Fields Whetstone fields are over used and our leagues are out-growing our current facility. Proposed Additional Fields 2 Tee-Ball Fields, 1 Dixie Youth Field Concessions Area and Bathrooms Additional Batting Cages $41,025 Existing Cages Additional cages are needed for the growing baseball program. Additional Cages Additional cages would be located on the west side of the complex. Improved and Expanded Parking $1,021,230 Existing Parking Major drainage issues have caused massive erosion in the parking lot. Proposed Parking The current BMX park would be relocated and expanded to maximize parking. New BMX Park $741,850 Existing BMX Park To be converted to parking. Proposed BMX Park Relocated and expanded with parking added. The Proposal $3,234,705 PROJECT BUDGET WHETSTONE SPORTS COMPLEX AND BMX PARK Why Whetstone? The growth of the baseball and BMX facility will increase the availability of these sports to young citizens of Prattville. Additionally, it would open up opportunities to host travel tournaments and state meets. Pratt Park Preserving “America’s Favorite Park” with modern technology. Goal: Preserve the park for future generations. Existing park features can be improved upon with modern technologies and upgrades or renovations. Preserve A Child’s Place Playground The Existing Park uses materials that have to be replaced frequently due to deterioration and vandalism. The Proposed Park would be made of materials that require less upkeep and has a fresh, modern appeal. Other Features New and exciting playground features would populate the area and create a more accessible, all inclusive playground, for children of all abilities. Pavilion at Splash Pad Existing Splash Pad Needs more shaded areas and seating. Proposed Pavilion Would provide shade and facilitate birthday parties. The Proposal $1.3 million PROJECT BUDGET PRATT PARK IMPROVEMENTS Why Pratt Park? One of the most popular of Prattville’s parks, improvements and upgrades will keep Pratt Park a fun and safe place for generations to come. Upper Kingston Upgrading for the future. Goal: Prepare facilities for program growth. Eliminate growth restriction caused by inadequate facilities, parking, and drainage issues. Improve and Expand Fields $1,025,837 Existing Soccer Fields Need turf replacement and fencing. Proposed Soccer Fields Renovate Turf (Natural Grass) Add 4 New Fields and Upgrade Lighting Add Fencing Around Fields Existing Soccer Fields Without Fencing are overused and misused. Vehicles drive onto the fields and damage the grass. Proposed Fenced Fields allows for fields to be put on rest, properly seeded, and aerated to create safe playing surfaces for our leagues and tournaments. Renovate Community Center $200,000 Existing Community Center Proposed Community Center Renovations Image from Deep Gap Fire Station Improve/Expand Walking Track $320,000 Existing Walking Trail Path is in need of repairs in some areas. Proposed Walking Trail Repaved paths would go around parking area. Bathrooms/Concessions/Pavilions $800,875 Existing Bathrooms and Concessions Concessions building and bathrooms are too small to accommodate crowds. Proposed Renovations Add a pavilion/concessions/bathroom facility and two additional pavilions. Maintenance and Drainage $241,300 Current Drainage Problem Add Drainage in Parking Area Improved Parking $230,464.44 Existing Parking is comprised of dirt, grass, gravel, and paved areas. Proposed Paved Parking with Lighting Improved Playground $75,000 Existing Playground Playground Expansion Would better serve the surrounding neighborhoods. The Proposal $3,870,802 PROJECT BUDGET UPPER KINGSTON PARK AND SOCCER FIELDS Why Upper Kingston? Cramped concessions stand and bathrooms, drainage issues that wash out parking areas, and lack of shaded areas make Upper Kingston a top priority for renovations to create a more visitor-friendly park for the 26% of U.S. children ages 3-8 who play soccer (Silverman, 2021). U.S. high school soccer programs reached an all-time high in 2019 with over 850 thousand participants (Lange, 2020). Newton Park An opportunity for a true tennis complex. Goal: Develop a tennis-centric facility. With the new Mac Gray facility, two softball fields can be removed to create more tennis courts and add pickleball courts. Additionally, current drainage issues can be corrected. Court Additions/Improvements $674,337 Existing Courts Add Courts 8 Hard Courts 4 Pickleball Courts Potential Shaded Courts Existing Courts Add Courts Potential to add sunshades to courts for SPF protection. Bathrooms/Concessions $606,300 Existing Concessions Proposed Bathrooms and Concessions Additional maintenance building needed. Walking Paths $152,000 Existing Paths In need of maintenance in many areas. Some paths are paved, some are not. Proposed Paths Parking $196,275 Existing Parking Only gravel parking is available currently. Proposed Parking Improved Playground $65,000 Existing Playground Playground is in need of updates and additional features. Proposed Playground Proposed Skate Park Existing Area Current detention area. Proposed Skate Park Potential to construct skate park features in this undeveloped area. The Proposal ❑Add 8 Hard Courts for a total of 13 Courts ❑Add 4 Pickleball Courts ❑Renovate Bathrooms and Concessions ❑Add Paved Walking Paths ❑Pave Parking and add Lighting ❑Playground Improvements ❑Correct Drainage Issues and add Maintenance Building $2,263,816 PROJECT BUDGET NEWTON PARK TENNIS COMPLEX Why Newton Park? Improvements and additional courts would allow for competitive recruiting of tennis tournaments which would bring in tourism revenue. Tennis appeals to a wide range of participants, from youth to seniors. Additional courts allow for additional participation. Stanley Jensen Stadium A bright future for an aging facility. Goal: Develop a state-of-the-art facility in phases. The current stadium structures and facilities are in need of updates that will assist in revenue opportunities. New Home Grandstand Existing Grandstand Current Home side would become Guest side. Proposed Grandstand Includes a press box and booster box. South Viewing Platform Current Structures Proposed Viewing Platform Includes locker rooms and a multipurpose banquet room with a capacity of 150 for rental. The Proposal $10 million PROJECT BUDGET STANLEY JENSEN STADIUM (COULD BE COMPLETED IN PHASES) Why Stanley Jensen? As the top sports revenue generator in the state (Sports Alabama, 2019), football is a worthy investment with a high chance of returns. Additional Projects image from Kiwanis Park “The community desires a well-distributed parks system […] and a balance among parks facilities between passive recreational use and organized sports and other active recreational uses. Because most parks are west of Memorial Drive, in the coming years the City will develop additional parks to better serve the growing east side. PROJECT PRATTVILLE 2040 Cooters Pond Park ❑Remove lower pavilion ❑Add bathrooms near the boat docks ❑Add parking across from the silo ❑Repair underwater portion of boat ramp ❑Repair upper pavilions ❑Split dog park for large and small dogs ❑Add new features to dog park ❑Add pavilion near dock for fish return chute ❑Add camping spots and cabins Overlook Park ❑Update pavilion and bathrooms ❑Add dog park ❑Update and add park benches ❑Resurface and restripe parking lot ❑Add new playground features Bell Park ❑Remove fencing to create football/soccer fields ❑Replace field lights ❑Add pavilion with bathrooms and storage ❑Make drainage ditch safe with fence or pipe ❑Remove existing bathroom structure to create more parking Miller Park ❑Add prefabricated concrete bathrooms ❑Add new playground features ❑Add pavilion ❑Resurface walking path Allenville Park ❑Purchase toilet trailer for special events ❑Purchase outdoor movie equipment for Movies Under the Stars events ❑Replace bathroom ❑Update playground equipment ❑New basketball goals ❑Resurface and restripe basketball courts ❑Remove tennis court and convert to basketball court North Highland Park Wilderness Park ❑Add picnic area just inside the gates ❑Widen entrance and exit to parking lots ❑Repair parking lot ❑Resurface walking path ❑Add prefabricated concrete restrooms ❑Repave walking path ❑Add and update playground equipment in the lower area ❑New bathrooms for upper and lower areas ❑Stripe the upper basketball court Coach Lorenzo “Lo” Pickett Park Spinners Park ❑Repair and replace fencing ❑Repair lights ❑Add new restrooms ❑Add playground equipment Mac Gray Park ❑Add playground ❑Extend netting on backstops past dugouts ❑Irrigate fields 1 and 2 ❑New fencing on fields 1 and 2 Pratt Pool ❑Explore opportunities with our YMCA partners to develop a state-of- the-art aquatic center for joint use. ❑Add HVAC and sprinkler system ❑Renovate middle building, add restrooms ❑Portable volleyball nets and basketball goals ❑Aerate and overseedexisting ground for possible practice fields ❑Tournament meeting space Fairgrounds Buildings Questions? Images from Prattville’s Parks Resources Boozer, Benjamin B, and Hooie, Jeffrey G. “An Economic Impact Study of the 2019 Tournament Series and the Freshwater Fishing Industry on the State of Alabama.” Jacksonville State University of Alabama, 2020. Eime, R.M., Young, J.A., Harvey, J.T.et al.A systematic review of the psychological and social benefits of participation in sport for children and adolescents: informing development of a conceptual model of health through sport.Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 10,98 (2013). Gillette, Becky. “Youth Sports Tourism a Home Run.” Sports Force Parks, 2019. Lange, David. “Soccer in the U.S.-Statistics & Facts.” Statista, 2020. National Recreation and Park Association. “Promoting Parks and Recreation’s Role in Economic Development.” 2018. National Recreation and Park Association. “Synopsis of 2010 Research Papers.” 2010. National Recreation and Park Association. “Why Parks and Recreation are Essential Public Services.” 2010. “Project Prattville 2040.” City of Prattville, 2020. Riley, Sable. “Dothan’s tourism bureau focusing on team sports events to bring in more revenue in 2021.” Dothan Eagle, 2021. Silverman, Alex. “Beyond Gen Z: What the Parents of Generation Alpha Say About Their Kids’ Interest in Sports.” Morning Consultant, 2021. Sports Alabama. “Sweet Home Alabama: A Sporting Utopia.” Alabama Sports Guide, 2019. TD Ameritrade. “Sports Parents Survey.” 2019. Townley, Paige. “Sports tourism market continues to thrive.” Convention South, 2020. Template by Slides Carnival. Witt, Peter A., and Caldwell, Linda L. “The Rationale for Recreation Services for Youth: An Evidenced Based Approach.” National Parks and Recreation Association, 2010.