Tommy Wells: Council of the District of Columbia, Ward 6

Committee Unanimously Approves Wells' Budget Recommendations to Support DC Public Libraries and DC Neighborhood Parks

May 2, 2012

Committee on Libraries, Parks, Recreation and Planning Approves FY2013 Budget

Budget Recommendations Include Major Initiatives to Support DC Public Libraries and DC Neighborhood Parks

Earlier today, the Committee on Libraries, Parks, Recreation and Planning, chaired by Councilmember Tommy Wells, unanimously approved its budget recommendations for fiscal year 2013.

"Today's action is a major step in rebuilding the commitment to our neighborhood public libraries and puts a new emphasis on activating our public parks and spaces," stated Wells.

While many of the Mayor's proposals were adopted by the Committee, including recreation center staffing and programming, as well as the Office of Planning's sustainability initiatives and neighborhood planning summits, the Committee made several significant changes to the DC Public Library budget and the efforts within the Department of Parks and Recreation related to parks and public spaces.

The Committee added significant funds to end the years' long cuts to the library's budget for the purchase of new books and materials, to prepare several libraries undergoing renovations to be prepared for opening day, to make needed physical improvements to neighborhood libraries awaiting full renovation, and to provide staff training for the first time in many years.

The Committee also addressed multiple needs within the Department of Parks and Recreation by placing a new emphasis on improving and activating the District's parks and green spaces. The most significant change is the creation of a new high-level division within the Department to prioritize parks improvements and community partnerships. In addition, the Committee identified resources to support efforts to improve downtown parks and needed recreation center repairs.

A detailed summary of the Committee's actions is attached below.

 
FY2013 BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS

The Committee on Libraries, Parks, Recreation and Planning approved a FY2013 budget report today with several significant changes to the Mayor's proposal. Below is a summary of those changes:

REBUILDING THE COMMITMENT TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

• The funds needed to purchase materials for our neighborhood libraries have declined 58% in the last four years -- with a 40% reduction last year alone. After several years of cuts to the DC Public Library budget to purchase the books, electronic downloads, and other materials our residents need to participate in life-long learning and enrichment, the Committee increases the book budget by $2.2 million over last year.
  
  
• Next year, two libraries currently undergoing significant renovations will re-open to the community. However, funding was not included to ensure those two branches would have the materials they need on opening day. The Committee has dedicated funds for the much needed opening day book collections for the Northeast Library and Woodridge Library.
  
  
• Where renovations are not taking place, many of the District's neighborhood libraries lack basic general improvements such as needed security, ADA compliance, and HVAC. The Committee has identified $2 million for these needs to ensure that these libraries can meet the needs of the communities they serve.
  
  
• Over the last 4 years, DC Public Libraries has not been provided a training budget to keep library staff on pace with emerging trends, new research, and the latest technology. The Committee has increased the employee training budget by $300,000 to ensure the library staff is at the leading edge and best able to serve residents using our neighborhood libraries.
  

NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS IMPROVEMENTS & ACTIVATING DC'S PUBLIC SPACES

• The District has a wealth of public parks and resources, but the Department struggles to partner with communities to improve and activate parks with innovative programming. To this end, the Committee is creating a new unit within the Department, the "Park Policy and Programs Division," to prioritize infrastructure and improvement projects, build community partnerships, and activate neighborhood parks and green spaces. In addition to the staff support for this new division, the Committee is dedicating $750,000 in capital funding to support these projects.
  
  
• The District's downtown neighborhoods have dramatically changed in the last twenty years. With a growing population and a need for children and seniors to have playgrounds and parks, the Committee has worked with the National Park Service to identify partnerships and opportunities. This budget supports funding for the first stage of planning for an improved Franklin Square - a unique opportunity to create a destination park in the city center - as well as downtown playground.
  
  
• The Committee has also worked with community leaders to identify several urgent recreation and parks improvement needs and identified resources to support efforts such as needed repairs at the Harry Thomas Sr. Recreation Center and Twin Oaks Community Garden, general park improvements in Lansburgh Park and a Southwest playground, planning support for a new recreation center to serve Kenilworth-Parkside residents, and staff support for the District's senior Olympians.
  
  
• In addition, the Mayor's proposed budget includes funding for a new DPR/DYRS headquarters at the former Gibbs School. The Committee believes a renovation and relocation, so soon after DPR moved into a new headquarters building two months ago, needs further evaluation and planning. The budget includes planning support to explore co-location at a planned recreation facility or as part of a new project.