November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 48

RURAL COMMUNITIES
ganizations have experience and
knowledge of funding opportunities
and can help your community
be its best self. Do some research
and find out what organization is
in charge of the region your agency
resides in, reach out to them
and see if they can point you in
the right direction.
To accumulate additional financial
resources, it is important to
learn about the different local and
state taxing legislation. Here in
Utah, cities are allowed to impose a
recreation, arts and parks tax. This
is a sales tax that brings in .01 percent
on all retail purchases in your
community. The funding allows
the city to enhance recreation, arts
and parks infrastructure without
increasing its general funding. Another
funding source is impact fees.
Impact fees are charged to new developments
to offset the costs associated
with growth. These fees can
be used to develop new park facilities
so that there is sufficient infrastructure
to accommodate growing
populations.
Lastly,
it
is
vital to get a full
picture of your budget and know
where every dollar is going. It also
is important to look at how you are
spending your budget and be honest
with yourself on whether your
expenses are justifiable and being
used efficiently.
Lack of Planning and
Development
Many rural communities have
outdated or nonexistent plans
to help the community thrive.
Without a plan, your community
and department won't have
direction on where to go. Developing
strategies and plans will
give purpose to your work and
make it easier to accomplish. To
begin planning, make sure to give
your community a voice. Host
open houses to discuss the plans,
goals and vision of your park and
recreation department. Create
surveys for people to share their
thoughts without the pressures
of others. Once you get the community's
perspective, create goals
and objectives so you have a target
to aim for. These goals and
objectives should be clear, easy
to understand and politically supported.
Once you have your goals
and plans created, don't be afraid
to share them. Make everything
easily accessible and find ways to
communicate your plans to the
community. Getting everyone on
the same page and moving in the
same direction will make your job
a whole lot easier, especially in
completing the next point.
Lack of Community
Partnerships and
Collaborations
Similar to limited funding, rural
communities have limited opportunities
to form community partnerships
and collaborations. This
is due to a smaller number of
organizations, businesses, agencies,
volunteers and groups in the
community with which to form
important public-private partnerships.
With finite potential partners,
it is key to foster positive relationships
with those you have.
To do this, park and recreation
agencies should take the time to
get to know their local businesses
and organizations. Contact the
Developing strategies and plans will give
purpose to your work and make it easier
to accomplish.
48 Parks & Recreation | NOVEMBER 2 0 2 3
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT STEVENS
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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