By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
On Wednesday, March 6, just after a snowstorm began, the Rim of the World Recreation and Park District held a pre-scheduled meeting to discuss their fee system and how it will affect the future of the district.
The board has hired the Matrix Consulting Group to do a “comprehensive fee Ssudy.” This study will assess how much it costs to supply the parks and recreation services the district offers and hopes to offer. The fee study’s primary objective is to guarantee that the fees and rates are at a level allowing the district to supply the services and programs and maintain its facilities, enabling it to continue its commitment to serving the community. Matrix was seeking some input on who was using and renting the facilities, for what purposes and what fees they were paying.
At the meeting, which was held for information gathering purposes at 5:30 p.m., several groups arrived to explain their programs and how they use the rec and park facilities. The rec and park district did not send any reps as they didn’t want to influence the comments. A survey has been on the Rim-Rec.org website for several weeks to get input from those who have opinions but could not attend the meeting.
Some of the groups that sent representatives were members of the Mountain Senior Citizens, who use the Twin Peaks Community Center on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons, and the Running Springs Seniors who use the Hootman Center. Also, Penny Shubnell from the Crest Forest Seniors, which meets at Leisure Shores in Crestline, was there, although Leisure Shores is not owned by the park district. A couple who uses the Lake Gregory Educational Center for inside, year-round pickleball playing was also in attendance.
Each group explained their use of each park facility and their current costs. No one from the Little League teams or other sports programs attended, but they could have been dissuaded by the weather and may have filled out the online survey.
The district said they were seeking information to see “what the needs and wants for recreational activities” are from the point of view of the residents. The district is funded by tax dollars and they said they want to know how the community wants those dollars spent. “For example, how about some activities, facilities and programs designated for special needs teens, young adults and adults? How about more gardening, eco-friendly and sustainability lessons and programs?” asked their flier advertising the meeting.
The park district hopes that Matrix will submit its report in time so the the board can finalize its budget in June or July. The park district has not had a fee study done in the past. This study will compare their programs and services and costs and fees with other park districts of similar sizes and programs. This information will enable the district to see how their costs and fees line up with other similar rec and park districts. They do know their $22 parcel fee is much lower than most other special park districts but are they supplying equal or greater services and programs for that money? is the question. They want to know whether they are financially able to supply more programs and amenities to the community. This survey and fee analysis will supply the answer.
The Rim of the World Recreation and Park District began in 1985, almost 40 years ago, with a parcel assessment of $10 and has only raised its parcel assessment once or twice since that time to its current $22 yearly level.
Rim Rec manages numerous community center buildings, picnic shelters, playgrounds, parks and sports fields from Green Valley Lake Park to the Lake Gregory Educational Center. The park district has facilities in Green Valley Lake, Arrowbear, Running Springs, Twin Peaks and Crestline. Some of the facilities they own and others they lease. Most of the parks and playgrounds are for free public use and other facilities can be reserved or rented; the rates are listed on their website: Rim-Rec.org.
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