For a community of barely 40,000 people, supporting 24 public parks may seem unusual. But that is not how Prescott Valley Town Mayor Harvey Skoog views it.
In fact, he and the Town Council hope to do more, he says.
“We view the Parks and Recreation system in our town to be something positive, something of pride for not just the community but the area. We see people from all over Central Arizona enjoying what we have – places to play sports, to have family gatherings and picnics and to just enjoy the terrific lifestyle we have in the region.”
Town Manager Larry Tarkowski supports Skoog’s philosophy. “Our Parks and Recreation program serves two very important services to our community. First, it gives our citizens healthy living options through utilization of their open space and turf areas. They can enjoy both active – organized competitions in sports, and passive recreation – fishing, hiking, classes and recreational programs.
He continued, “Second, and very important, our facilities attract regional and national level tournaments and competitions for both youth and adults. Our award-winning facilities bring outside users who spend recreational dollars.”
Tarkowski noted that helping host the championship tournament for the National Junior College Athletic Association Nov. 18-23, is “…a great honor and opportunity to showcase our respective communities on the big stage.”
For a community incorporated just 36 years ago, having 24 existing parks with a cumulative 269 acres (with three parks more in planning) seems testimony to some far-seeing vision by early town leaders and planners, especially the well-known Fain family, one of the original frontier families who settled the area before Arizona was even a state.
In fact, the largest of the parks – 100 acres – was donated by the Fains to the Town of Prescott Valley in 1997. At that time, and in fact for the decade of the 1990s to 2000 – U.S. Census data show that Prescott Valley was the seventh fastest growing community in the United State.
Fair Park has as its signature a somewhat T-shaped lake fed by Lynx Creek. That lake is routinely stocked by Arizona Game and Fish Department and is the destination for thousands of anglers from throughout Central Arizona and beyond.
It also contains ramadas, restrooms, multi-use recreational areas and a basketball court.
The second largest park is the most visited: Mountain Valley Park, at 69 acres. With plenty of parking, it has playgrounds, outdoor swimming pool, multi-use athletic fields and ball fields, concession stands, a dog park, ramadas and a carefully sculpted competition soccer field.
Other public parks scatted broadly throughout the 38 square miles of the town range from small “pocket parks” of one or more acres with just playground equipment and minimal amenities to other that stretch up to 10 or 12 acres and include ball fields, ramadas, restrooms and playground equipment.
Just recently, Antelope Park, located on the north edge of town just south of Highway 89A received an $180,000 makeover. Contractors created more parking spaces, built a new ramada, established more recreational turf areas, added walking paths and planted more trees.
Parks Are an Investment in People
Prescott Valley Parks and Recreation Director Brian Witty feels strongly that quality parks provide quality environments for the public. That is why he and his full-time and part-time professional and technical staff, coupled with approximately 100 community volunteers, spend so much time on upkeep and maintenance.
“We’ll also spend a lot of money,” he said, “about $1.9 million for operations and another $411 [or] $500 for capital costs during the 2014-2015 fiscal year. That may seem like a lot. But seriously following the Great Recession, we had to cut our overall budget of $6.5 million significantly.”
Though his department does reap some revenue from renting facilities to users – ball fields or swimming pool parties, for instance – Witty says the collective revenue does not come close to covering park expenses.
Because his department does not have any surplus in its budget, Witty relies heavily upon volunteers through the Adopt-a-Park Program. It allows community members, ranging from children and schools to faith-based groups to service clubs to senior citizens – anyone – to help increase public awareness and pride by preserving clean and safe parks.
Witty urges those interested in such a program to contact him personally at 928-759-3090 or obtain an application and information packet through the town’s website (www.pvaz.net) or by visiting the Park and Recreation Department at 7501 E. Civic Circle.
Witty, an administrator with the town since 2007, works aggressively with county, state and federal agencies and governmental offices to find support for the parks and recreation system.
The Illinois native had years of professional experience with parks and recreation program coordination prior to moving to Arizona.
“I was lucky through my bachelor’s and master’s program, both of which are in parks and administration, to make contacts with major agencies involved in supporting public parks and their growth. I’ve been able to call upon that background and experience to help things along here in Prescott Valley,” he said.
One such upcoming project involves working with the University of Arizona, the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Agriculture to conduct a “Tree Advisory Program” wherein all the trees in the greater community will be inventoried to see which thrive and which do not.
“That will help us decide on future planting so that trees will be here long after many of us are gone,” he said.
Witty then became serious. “I think that’s why I really enjoy doing what I do; I feel good about being able to help create something which will benefit people and give them pleasure and enjoyment for years and years. Isn’t that what parks are all about?” QCBN
By Ray Newton
Quad Cities Business News
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