With Few Parks, Opinions Differ on Using $25,000 to Form Recreation Panel in Dumfries

By URIAH KISER

DUMFRIES, Va. — Just weeks after opening the town’s third public park, Dumfries officials say its time to form a Parks and Recreation Commission.

A majority of town leaders voted to approve the creation of a panel that will be responsible for scheduling events, or programming, at the small neighborhood parks. A proposed $4.3 million budget for 2014 includes $25,000 to fund the commission in its first year.

Leading the effort is Councilman Derrick Wood who says it’s time the town offers more events and activities for children, adults, and business owners.

“I want to hold the town’s first-ever summer music concert series this August in Garrison Park (behind Dumfries Town Hall). At Ginn Park, I want to put together three on three basketball tournaments, and horseshoe tournaments to give our residents something to do,” said Wood, who also said he wants to organize a 5K run to be held in Dumfries.

The town’s third park, Merchant Park outside the Weems-Botts Museum, has been reserved for historical events such as the town’s annual Charter Day. Additionally, Wood says having more events at the parks would allow small businesses – especially those without storefronts – to set up shop at events at the parks, bring in more customers and cash, and ultimately more tax dollars for the town.

But some have balked at the $25,000 price tag that’s been allocated to set up the five-member, all-volunteer commission that will program just three parks. Though the town is in Prince William County, the county government”s parks department currently does not program events at Dumfries’ parks. Some youth sports leagues have approached the town about using their fields to hold practices and games, as playing space is at a premium in Prince William, but so far the town’s parks have only been used only for festivals and special events.

Mayor Jerry Foreman, who voted against creating a parks commission, says the formation of such a panel would bring an overlap in government. The town already has an Events Committee, and he says that if there is going to be a new parks panel, the Events Committee should go away and a Parks and Recreation Commission should take over.

Foreman added that both the current Events Committee, and a Parks and Recreation Commission that could soon be funded in next year’s budget, are lacking charters – a guide that details the mission of each group. Come July 1, Foreman said the Town Council must vote on whether to keep any committee in place if it’s lacking a charter. Foreman, whose vote counts as much as any other Council member, said he won’t support a committee unless it has a clearly defined charter.

Wood said the mission of his proposed parks group is already clear: to plan activities, and direct funding for park events.

“The mission was established at the beginning, so it’s a little premature to say he’s going to vote against it just because he hasn’t seen a charter or mission,” said Wood.

Funding of the parks commission is another issue called into question by Foreman, who asked why $25,000 was needed to create a commission that could take up to a year to establish its priorities.

“I don’t have a problem putting five or $10,000 to a parks and recreation commission, and saying here you go, here are some funds to execute, but there should be a budget narrative… when you propose your budget, you’re supposed to say what you want the money for, not just ‘I want the money…” said Foreman.

This is Wood’s first term on the Town Council. Looking for ways to connect with residents while speaking from the dias, he’s often advocated for better parks and for promoting more youth activities.

“Who knows if I want to run again, I never saw myself being in this position… I’m going to do the best job I can do…it’s not about a checklist of accomplishments, it’s about what’s doing the best thing for our community,” said Wood.

The Town Council is set to have a public hearing on the budget on June 4. Afterward the Town Council may add or remove items in which to fund, and the body is expected to approve a new budget prior to the start of the new fiscal year July 1.