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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/25/1989CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA May 25, 1989 7:30 p.m. Mounds View City Hall Council Chambers The Commission will be meeting at Lakeside Park from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. to tour the new beach house at Lakeside Park and inspect the new play structure. This will be a joint meeting with the Spring Lake Park Recreation Commission. CALL TO ORDER REVIEW APRIL 27, 1989 COMMISSION MINUTES AGENDA ADDITIONS COUNCILMEMBER'S REPORT CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT REPORT ON PARK CLEAN-UP X. PAM STARK - HILLVIEW X. EDD TRETTEL -SILVER VIEW PARK �. OAKWOOD PARK IMPROVEMENTS -DISCUSSION V�. UPCOMING SUMMER PROGRAMS REVIEW I� PARK PROJECTS UPDATE X. ADJOURNMENT DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION AND FORESTRY May 11, 1989 citq Vi'QW O nnVN� RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA 2401 HIGHWAY 10 MOUNDS VIEW, MINN. 55112 7 84-305 5 Dear Parks and Recreation Commissioners: The regular monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission will be held on Thursday, May 25, 1989. This was chosen as the date for a combined meeting with Spring Lake Park Commissioners to inspect Lakeside Park, the new beach house and playground in particular. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Lakeside Park. Following this session, we will report to the Mounds View City Hall Council Chambers for our regular meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please call and notify Sharie or me at 784-3055. Sincerely, Mary Saarion, Director Parks, Recreation and Forestry MS/SL MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA April 27, 1989 6:30 p.m. Mounds View City Hall Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:58 p.m. by Chairperson Wayne Burmeister. ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Burmeister, Silvis, Starr, Stevenson, Trettel. Commissioners absent: Long. Councilmembers present: Quick. Staff present: Director Saarion, Adm. Asst. Linke. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Silvis requested that the name of Eric Hanson be added to the list of visitors at the March 17 meeting, as he was present at the meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Silvis, seconded by Commissioner Stevenson to approve the March 17 meeting minutes as corrected. Motion carried: 5 ayes, 0 nayes. INTRODUCTION OF EDD TRETTEL AS COMMISSIONER Director Saarion introduced Mr. Trettel to the Commission as the new Park and Recreation Commissioner. Chairperson Burmeister welcomed him on behalf of the Commission. AGENDA ADDITIONS Director Saarion asked that discussion of the Adult Water Exercise Program be added to the agenda and gave background on the program. The water exercise program is offered during daytime and evening hours. Currently, there is a greater number of non-resident participants than residents, and of the non-residents, a large majority do not live even in School District #621. The daytime water exercise program was scheduled to be discontinued in the summer to allow for the addition of children's instructional classes during the prime instructional time of 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. (currently being used by water exercise). The current participants signed a petition requesting that the program be continued throughout the summer. Director Saarion explained that she had spoken with Ms. Hoel who had made the original request and explained that the department felt that the youth of the community should have the opportunity to participate in swimming lessons during this prime time during the summer, as the water exercise participants had the use of pool at the 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. time in the fall, winter and spring. At that time, Director Saarion offered them a 7:00 - 7:45 a.m. time, but Ms. Hoel was not interested in that time and wanted the 9:00 -9:45 a.m. time. She than organized a petition and brought her concerns to a City Council meeting. At that meeting, Mayor Hankner offered her the 7:00 a.m. time and she agreed. April 27 minutes Page two Director Saarion asked that the Commission give direction in setting priorities for resident and non-resident participation. Commissioner Stevenson stated that in the case of the aquatics program, summer youth instructions should always be given priority over adult aquatic activities. After discussion, the Commission decided that each program is unique and participation priorities should be determined on an individual basis by department staff. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Chairperson Burmeister reported that the footings were installed at the new Lakeside Park beach house and plumbing installation had begun. He added that the civil defense siren had not been moved yet. COUNCILMEMBER'S REPORT Councilmember Quick reviewed the actions and items from the previous month's Council Meetings which included authorization for the purchase of picnic tables and the hiring of summer parks groundskeepers. GREENFIELD SECURITY LIGHTING Director Saarion reviewed two bid proposals from electrical contractors, Gopher Electric and Bacon Electric, stating that both proposals exceeded the budgeted amount. These bids cover the lighting of the general Greenfield Park area, not the trail area. The Commission agreed that security lighting for Greenfield Park was a priority item and asked staff for financing suggestions. Director Saarion suggested the following ways to finance the installation of security lighting at Greenfield Park: 1. Substitute funds from another project for the lighting. 2. Save money from this year and add additional funds next and do the project in 1990. 3. Request additional funding from the City Council. 4. Use park dedication funds. Chairperson Burmeister stated that he would like to see the security lighting go in this year. After discussion, the Commission decided to change the twin volleyball court at Hillview to a single court and eliminate the purchase of bike rakes, which will allow enough additional funds to complete the security lighting at Greenfield Park. A motion was made by Commissioner Silvis, seconded by Chairperson Burmeister to recommend to the City Council the approval of the bid proposal from Bacon Electric for the installation of security lighting at Greenfield Park. Motion carried: 5 ayes, 0 nays. April 27 minutes Page three DISCUSSION OF PLANS FOR PARK DEDICATION MONIES FROM SYSCO The Commission discussed options for the use of the $50,000 park dedication fees from the SYSCO development project. Director Saarion stated that this is most likely the last park dedication monies the City will be receiving. Possible projects suggested were: 1. Installation of water and sewer to the Silver View Park Shelter Building to be built this summer by the Mounds View Lion's Club. 2. Improvements to Oakwood Park. Savings program for replacement of equipment as needed. Commissioner Starr stated that she wanted the park dedication monies spent to complete the parks as much as possible now, rather than save the money for future years. Director Saarion added that items being installed currently in parks have a long lifespan and are as maintenance -free as possible, so it is advantageous to presently enhance the park facilities for greater use. O•*0 1T.. SITE PLAN OPTIONS Commissioner Burmeister asked staff if any decisions had been made regarding Oakwood Park. Director Saarion stated that before any improvements could be done at Oakwood Park, grading needs to be done. The Commission discussed in length the possibility of replacing the backstop, changing the location of the ballfield, developing the Greenfield side of the park first, putting in playground equipment on the Greenfield side along with the picnic table and grill which is already purchased. Director Saarion stated that playground equipment for Oakwood Park was budgetted for in the 1990 capital improvements. A motion was made by Commissioner Silvis, seconded by Commissioner Stevenson to direct staff to get cost estimates for future development of Oakwood Park and the area of Greenfield Park on Quincy and Hillview Road using reserve park improvement funds to be replenished with monies from the SYSCO park dedication monies. Motion carried: 5 ayes, 0 nays. St&l � L Director Saarion requested Commission direction regarding the UVB installation of sewer and water at Silver View. A motion was made by Chairperson Burmeister, seconded by Commission Starr to use reserve monies in park dedication fund to proceed with the installation of sewer and water at Silver View in the most cost efficient manner as possible, and to ask the City Council for additional funds to complete the project if needed. Motion carried: 5 ayes, 0 nays. April 27 minutes Page four UPDATE ON PARK PROJECTS Director Saarion distributed a picture of galvanized trash containers with chained tops which are attractive and easily accessed for emptying. The containers sell for $189.00 each which is more costly than others. Staff did, however, recommend the purchase of these containers due to their durability, easy access and asthetics. The Commission agreed with staffs recommended and directed staff to purchase six containers. Director Saarion updated the Commission on the turf management program, stating that an irrigation system had been installed at Silver View Park and that after the adult leagues have ended, establishment of new turf would begin at Silver View. The City Hall fields are being proposed for an irrigation system in 1990. Staff stated that the Silver View pathway extension is scheduled to be completed in early summer with the trail base being of crushed aggregate. Planting along the trail will begin when Forester Wriskey feels it is the opportune time. PARK CLEAN-UP DAY Commissioner Starr asked Commissioners to volunteer their time to supervise clean-up of their local park on the May 20 City-wide Clean-up Day. Commissioner Trettel had already organized a clean-up at Silver View Park to be held in early May. Commissioner Starr will supervise a clean-up at Hillview Park. The Park and Recreation Department will distribute flyers and/or letters informing residents around the parks of the event. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Silvis, seconded by Commissioner Stevenson to adjourn the meeting at 8:54 p.m. Motion carried: 5 ayes, 0 nays. Respectfully submitted, Mary Saarion, Director Parks, Recreation and Forestry MS/SL From Wasteland Wilderness BY KENNETH PELHAM 48/MAY 1989/P&R I is morning in the Orlando Wilderness Park. Egrets sinik through tall rushes in search of prey. Water lilies open bright yel- low blooms to the sun. Fish dart about among the shallows. An alli- gator hangs motionlessly in the lake. A sudden movement has caught my eye. Two young white-tailed deer, bucks, spring from the grassy marsh to my left and disappear into the trees. The scene is not unusual in many respects; in fact, it's typical in wetland woods in Florida. What is unusual is that this wetland is an artifical one. Previously an open pasture, the Orlando Wilderness Park is now a sprawling 1,2130 acre system of shal- low, interconnected wetlands, teeming with wildlife, alive with wildflowers in bloom. It grew out of a need to dispose of treated wastewater from Oriando•s Iron Bridge Wastewater Treatment Plant. According to Susan Schuerger, a naturalist with the Orlando Parks Department, treated water enters the park on one side into a wet prairie of cattails and tall rushes. Controlled by a system of dikes and weirs, the water then traces a slow course through mixed marshes and hardwood swamp over the nest 40 days before leaving the park and ntering Seminole Ranch Wildlife .vlanagement Area, and eventuaily the St. Johns River floodplain. Schuerger is enthused about tier job of developing the recreation potential of the park. In what she calls "the most challeligilig thing I've.done," she directed long-range planning. She is a teacher to visitors, pointing out the myriad wildflow- ers, trees, birds, and animals that abound here. She is at the same time still a student of the park itself, obsen-ing the subtle workings of nature to fulfill her own under- standing of wetland ecology. She currently is working to promote the park as an open classroom for area schoolchildren. Tampa Bay Park, a restored wet- land in Tampa, shares common The egret pictured above in its natural environment may be safe from the wxlwcbment of developers, thanks to a nety momment to restore many of natatre's wonders Orlando Wilderness Park, on the prea)tocrs page is an ex- ample of just such a project—a 1,280. acre wetland system built on what was once an open pasture. P&R/MAY 1989/49 •r 1 N i �gx r' l sprawling 1,2130 acre system of shal- low, interconnected wetlands, teeming with wildlife, alive with wildflowers in bloom. It grew out of a need to dispose of treated wastewater from Oriando•s Iron Bridge Wastewater Treatment Plant. According to Susan Schuerger, a naturalist with the Orlando Parks Department, treated water enters the park on one side into a wet prairie of cattails and tall rushes. Controlled by a system of dikes and weirs, the water then traces a slow course through mixed marshes and hardwood swamp over the nest 40 days before leaving the park and ntering Seminole Ranch Wildlife .vlanagement Area, and eventuaily the St. Johns River floodplain. Schuerger is enthused about tier job of developing the recreation potential of the park. In what she calls "the most challeligilig thing I've.done," she directed long-range planning. She is a teacher to visitors, pointing out the myriad wildflow- ers, trees, birds, and animals that abound here. She is at the same time still a student of the park itself, obsen-ing the subtle workings of nature to fulfill her own under- standing of wetland ecology. She currently is working to promote the park as an open classroom for area schoolchildren. Tampa Bay Park, a restored wet- land in Tampa, shares common The egret pictured above in its natural environment may be safe from the wxlwcbment of developers, thanks to a nety momment to restore many of natatre's wonders Orlando Wilderness Park, on the prea)tocrs page is an ex- ample of just such a project—a 1,280. acre wetland system built on what was once an open pasture. P&R/MAY 1989/49 These sleek office buildings belong to the Tampa Bay Park, a restored wet- land in Tampa, FL, where offices and wiWffe peacefully coexist. The park is Part of a new trend to restore America's wetlands, yet still find ways in which we, as well as nature, can use them. ground with sleek office buildings. Its award-winning design has set a local standard for creating wetlands, and exhibits an astounding com- patibility between commercial de- velopment and the natural environ- ment. Here lush vegetation rings a placid lake, sustaining itself and cleansing the waters. The Tampa Bay Park develop- ment represents a new trend in design in America. A small but growing number of designers and builders nationwide have seen the need and reaped the benefits of building and restoring wetland areas. In January 1988, Newsweek magazine reported on the "restora- 50/MAY 1989/P&R tion ecology" movement, a move- ment involving prairies, rain forests, and salmon spawning grounds, as well as wetlands. The goal of the restorers is repairing that which has been asunder far too long, and the\, have succeeded in resetting na- ture's clock in hundreds of projects, literally infusing damaged areas with new life. However, park and recreation workers don't always realize the recreation potential of restored wetlands. This is unfortunate; the benefits include cleaner water, in- creased fish production, waterfowl protection, and opportunities for nature study. Trails and boardwalks are ideal for such an environment. The project becomes a study in suc- cessive plant communities as the new plants mature. The designer of the Tampa Bay Park project, Florida Land Design & Engineering Inc., has established an approach to wetlands establishment (or "mitigation" in the case of replacing wetlands in the way of de- velopment). The firm attacks such projects with a battery of different professionals: surveyors plot exist- ing wetlands that have been field - staked by biologists, engineers work out drainage and stormwater- retention systems, biologists de- termine the desired stratification and mix of vegetation, and land- scape architects apply the fun- damentals of landscape design. The results are at once picturesque, en- vironmentally sound, and practical. As a marketplace response, a fledgling industry is growing. In addition to designers, contractors are tackling wetland creation with enthusiasm and sophistication. Many new companies are now pro- viding and installing plants once dif- ficult to obtain. They grow the plants both in the field and in containers, using the expanding variety for greater design flexibility. In Florida, plants such as soft rush create soft pond edges. Pickerelweed and water lily add colorful flowers. Others, such as duck potato, are appetizing foods for waterfowl. Shrubs such as buttonbush and trees such as pond cypress and lob- lolly bay round out the landscape. What are some areas suitable for wetland building? Virtually all exist- ing or proposed bodies of water, including ponds, lakes, rivers, can- als, strip-mines, and retention basins. The possibilities are often right before us—we simply need to recognize them. Urban areas, in particular, would do well to consider wetland crea- tion. Concrete, asphalt, and steel spread inexorably away from down- town, isolating green areas and gobbling up potential park sites. Di- versity among existing parks looms ever.more importantly. What better solution is there to adding diversity to a downtown lake than taking a portion of its edge and building an underwater shelf planted with the right species? Young fish, taking advantage of the new cover, will attract birds and larger fish. People will enjoy the rare wildness of it. In some cases, wetlands Hurst be created. If your project requires construction within an existing wet- land, regulatory agencies may re- quire you to create wetlands equal to or greater in area than that dis- placed. When wetlands are de- stroved, for example, the South Florida Water Management District requires a replacement of as much as two -and -a -half acres for each acre displaced. Protecting the original, however, is still the preferred alternative. The state of Floridahas gotten into the act on a large scale with its plan to restore the Kissimmee River. Once a wild river, winding a slow course southward from Lake Kissimmee to Lake Okeechobee, the river was channelized during the 1960s to speed drainage for farming. The oxbows were bypas- sed and much adjacent marshland subsequently dried up. Now the state has launched an ambitious plan to reclaim the 98 -mile river. Initial experiments have proven successful beyond expectations; forcing the river back through its original channel brought the ox- bow marshes surging back to life, with birds returning to nest, and na- tive vegetation reclaiming ground from upland weeds. With the cleansing mechanisms of the river restored, Lake Okeechobee's water quality will improve. With a cleaner Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades to the south will be nourished. The state is currently buying land in the floodplain as part of its restoration program. Our nation has long ignored the value of wetlands, too often seeing them as a hindrance to productive use of land. Most Americans reject this notion, vet we still lose 500,000 acres annually—this in a counts, which h'us lost .feu ll., half the wetlands it once had. With this enormous loss has gone the inestimable loss of wildlife habitat. This past year, as many states suf- fered in the searing grip of the worst drought in decades, we saw the problems compounding. While pic- tures, of parched farmland domin- ated the news, vast acreages of waterfowl habitat dried up. Duck and geese populations dropped far below their usual numbers. Game officials adjusted bag limits down- ward, thus making the loss to rec- reation tangible and real. No parks official wants the lands in his or her charge to be less than they should be. Wetland construc- tion presents an opportunity to get optimum use from a park while at the same time reinvesting in nature. It preserves a wonderful heritage for future generations and is vital to a healthy national environment. 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P&R/,MAY 1989/51 WILDERNESS Continued from page 51 Ifwe can work now to protect and expand our existing reserves of wet- lands, perhaps we can even save many species from extinction in what is expected to be a hotter, drier 21st century. And if such splendid places as Orlando Wilderness Park and -Tampa Bay Park are indicators of things to come, we may hold out hope that an era of natural preserva- tion and restoration has indeed ar- rived. Soon, perhaps, these projects will no longer be prototypes, but the standard for conscientious de- velopment. ❑ I '� "'"•,� .:� � ^'� i Kms• ..i• •�t ��• .. •;. 1•�. ,�► • - � � -.; � �� � • ,�►_ � »•'gyp . ��± �� �_ `•" _ •til' ' as .. .. 1 ,' ' '�w.�'+�c.=i.•�=•. '=�:.r• i" -'fin:+% .•�` � '�" ... •.�.`.`.`.i:• ,� A America's favorite sport may still be baseball, but golf is rapidly catching up. The number of gol- fers in this country is growing, recent surveys indicate, and could reach 30 million in the next ten years. How do we meet the demand. Angelo Palermo, vice president of Golf Course De- velopment`for the National Golf Foundation, has some ideas ... read on! m 0 r 6 BY BILL olf, if you haven't heard, is booming in the U.S. In fact, its popularity as a national pastime is increasing at such a rate that researchers at the National Golf Foundation (NGF) are now project- ing that the demand for the game could require the construction of 4,000 new golf courses over the next ten years. They also believe, because nearly 70 percent of the golf played in the United States today is being played on public courses, that upwards of 1,500 of those facilities may have to be municipal facilities. As a result, the NGF is heading up a major effort to assess community public golf course needs and develop new faci- lities, using their resource of golf equipment manufacturers, architects, builders and developers. Angelo Palermo is NGF's vice president of Golf Course Develop- ment. Before joining the NGF, Mr. Palermo was the director of parks and recreation for the town of Ramapo, New York, for 22 of the 31 years he has worked in the field of municipal parks and recreation. Among his Ramapo responsibilities was developing and operating Spook Rock Golf Course, which is ranked among the top 50 public golf courses in America by Golf Digest Magazine. He recently outlined for PARKS & RECREATION some of the reasons NGF and others believe the in- centives and opportunities have never been greater for those com- munities that may be thinking of de- veloping their first golf facility, or perhaps expanding an existing one. "First," he says, "There seems to be no question that the demand for public golf facilities is growing." To illustrate his point, he notes that, according to the foundation's latest published research, the num- ber of golfers in the U.S. has nearly BURBAUM doubled since 1970; rising from 11.2 million to 21.7 million. This is an average increase of four percent per year. However, in the last three years alone, their numbers have in- creased on the average of eight per- cent per year. "If the U.S. golfing population continues to increase at anywhere near its current rate, it could easily skyrocket to well over 30 million in just the next ten years," he said. Palermo also points out that, of today's 21.7 million golfers, nearly eight out of ten (or over 17 million of them) play at public facilities. If this percentage holds, there could easily be more than 25 million pub- lic golfers by the year 2000. As Paler- mo points out, more and more of today's public golf facilities, es- pecially those in the large metropol- itan areas, are already feeling the crunch. "As the demand for golf grows," he says, "we can expect even more crowded course conditions where it not only takes longer to play, but where tee times are harder to get ... and where, because of overplay, course conditions deteriorate." SInce 1970, the average number of players per facility in the United States has jumped from 1,100 to 1,800 per facility, and the average number of rounds played per facility has risen from 26,000 to 36,000. There are now approx- imately 12,407 golf facilities in the United States. Of this number 4,898 are private; 5,583 are daily -fee (pub- lic but not municipally owned or operated) and 1,926 are municipal. The number of courses in Amer- ica is growing at a rate of .135 to 150 per year. To some, this may seem like an abundance of golf course construction. To others in the in- dustry, however, it's purely a case of supply and demand—and in this P&R/MAY 1989127 case, supply is lagging far behind demand. NGF's research pro- jections indicate that, to meet cur- rent demand, approximately 375 new courses are needed each year and at least 25 percent should be municipal. "Our tracking reports, however, show that only about 15 percent of those coming on line today are mu- nicipal," says Palermo. To those who may wonder if 375 golf courses a year is achievable, Palermo points to the 1920s and 1960s, the two great boom periods in golf course construction in the United States. The nation averaged 350 new golf courses per year dur- ing each of these periods. Looking beyond the market statis- tics, Palermo points out that a mu- nicipal golf course can produce its share of revenue dollars as well as provide a community with a recrea- tional/greenbelt asset. He cites a re- cent study by the American Societv of Golf Course Architects that com- pares municipal golf operations in the East, Southeast, Midwest and Rocky Mountains. It shows that mu- nicipal golf courses in these areas are now returning an average net profit of $141,482 per year. By re- gion, the averages are as follows: East ($148,000), Southeast ($396,298), Midwest ($108,783) and Rocky Mountain ($60,700). According to Palermo, municipal golf courses can economically boost a community in other ways as well. New businesses and industries often look to a community's in- ventory of recreational facilities when looking to relocate or expand their operations. Tourists and vaca- tioners consider golfing opportuni- ties when selecting a place to visit. In many communities, municipal golf courses offer the best value and are the best courses. Cape Cod is an example of such an area. It has seen the opening of three municipal courses in the past five years. The communities of Dennis, Brewster, and Yarmouth were motivated by their desire to preserve open space, and by the knowledge that both residents and vacationers needed additional golf- ing opportunities and were willing to pay fees that would sufficiently offset the capital and operational costs of these facilities. Because of the success of these three projects, 28/MAY 1989/P&R two other communities on the cape are now considering building their own courses in the next two to three years. To those who might shudder at the idea of committing their community to the cost of construct- ing a golf course, Palermo is quick to point out that many communities today are discovering there are ways to get theirs without going in debt. "The most significant trend in golf today," says Palermo, "is the num- ber of companies now specializing in developing municipal and public golf courses. These companies have been formed by people who not only are well aware of golf s tremen- dous growth and profit potential, but who also realize the benefits of joint venturing golf course develop- ment with municipalities." One of today's most common public/private joint venture approaches is the land lease agree- ment. This type of approach, says Palermo, requires land that is suit- able for a golf course. Under the first type of agreement, the municipality turns the land over to a golf course developer who builds the golf course and then leases it back to the municipality. The municipality operates the facil- ity and pays off the lease from the revenues generated by the facility, usually over a 15- to 20 -year period, after which the land and facility re- vert to the municipality. Carter Lake, Iowa; La Paz, Arizona; and Rapid City, South Dakota, are three recent examples of communities that have used this method to bring munic- ipal golf facilities to their residents. Under the second type, every- thing is the same --except, in this case, the developer operates the facility and pays the municipality a fixed annual lease fee for the land. Orange County, California, recently developed an 18 -hole executive facility (complete with clubhouse and driving range), using this method. In nearby San Joaquin County, officials and a developer are negotiating a similar arrange- ment on an 18 -hole regulation facil- ity that would be constructed within one of the county's parks. "Land is one of the most ex- pensive items in golf course de- velopment today," says Palermo who notes that there are some 18 - hole regulation public facilities be- ing built today that cost upwards of $8 million, mainly because of the cost of the land. "However, for municipalities that already have the land," he says, "the cost can be as low as one million dollars, depending on the amount of earth that has to be moved and the quality of the clubhouse and other amenities desired." Normally, a regulation 18 -hole golf course needs 130 to 150 acres; an executive course needs 70 to 100 acres; and an 18-hole/par-3 course needs 50 to 80 acres. When a municipality does not have the necessary land, it can take several other approaches. In these cases, the municipality's partner is a real estate developer. "More and more real estate de- velopers recognize that a golf course can significantly increase the value of the property surrounding it," says Palermo. In many cases, he says, real estate developers will offer a municipality a "turn -key" proposal. Here the de- veloper donates a portion of his or her acreage and builds the golf course. The municipality in turn reimburses the developer the cost of constructing the course and the municipality then operates and maintains the course. Such was the case in Brevard County, Florida, where the county joined forces with the developers of the Savannahs, a 288 -home subdivision and 18 -hole/ par -72 golf course, complete with 80 60 40 20 0 Types of Golfers 78.8% Public Daily Fee Municipal Private *Figures will not total 100% due to multiple responses clubhouse, maintenance area, park- ing, and a driving range. The developer is recovering his cost of the donated land via the pre- miums he is now able to attach to the price of lots that abut the golf course. He also has significantly en- hanced the overall appeal of his project with an attractive recreation- al amenity. A local bank welcomed the opportunity to participate in the joint venture between the de- veloper and Brevard County. The golf industry has long been aware of how important public golf is to the game's continuing health and welfare. This awareness, however, reached new heights this past November at Golf Summit '88, a three-day meeting hosted by the NGF in Ponte Vedra, Florida. More than 400 industry leaders gathered to discuss and finalize action plans for maximizing the game's growth potential between now and the vear 2000. Thev almost unanimously agreed on the strategic importance of golf course development to the future growth and enjoyment of the game in the United States. "As a result," says Palermo, "NGF has been directed by its board to accelerate and broaden its efforts to assist those communities that do not have the technical wherewithal to properly plan, build, and operate a municipal course on their own." This effort is being coordinated by the NGF through the National Golf Corporation, a special sub- sidiary created in January 1988 to provide a full range of golf course development services from local market demand analvses to full- scale project feasibility and op- erational studies. According to Palermo, the United P&R/MAY 1989/29 Sample K-77777" 4 ROCKY MTS. Financial 41,204 Daily Fee Rounds (18 -hole Reports Based on. EAST SOUTHEAST 27,294 Non -Associate 35,208 Daily Fee 65,206 Daily Fee Rounds (Unlimited Rounds (18 -hole Rounds (18 -hole 32,453 Season weekday fee; $14) weekday fee: $11) 500 Misc, Rounds 21,112 Season Ticket 30,400 Season Ticket $320) Rounds (Unlimited play Rounds (Resident season ticket: $530) discount card: $100- 680 Misc. Rounds entitles holder to 30% Electric Car Maintenance discount off regular 51.385 .25100 fees) _ 3,045 Misc. Rounds OPERATING REVENUES Green Fees Electric Car Fees Reservation Fees Pull Carts Golf Club Rental Driving Range T - Merchandise Sales Concessions Gift Certificates (Gift Cert. Redemotion) Development Fees Instruction Services M isceltaneous Total Operating Revenue 111101M MIDWEST K-77777" 4 ROCKY MTS. 3,629 Associate 41,204 Daily Fee Rounds (18 -hole Rounds (18 -hole weekday fee: $10) weekday fee: $10) 27,294 Non -Associate 11,112 Season Ticket Rounds (18 -hole Rounds (Unlimited weekday fee: $15) play season ticket: 32,453 Season $225) Rounds (Unlimited 500 Misc, Rounds Play Season ticket: Concessions & Merchandise $320) 57,000 Total Rounds 98,651 Total Rounds 63,376 Total Rounds 52,816 Total Rounds $521,700 .. ;:.< $622.123.:- 622;123:-193,500 193,500 359,35_4 16;930 26;239 . 13,600 u .10,137 :x(:15, A. 07;000 .: -:70 :.77 123 _-___..._.._...._. 45 :x(:15, $125.600 48,500.... f:1 $51 f ,879 $ 1 t},48€3 2 500 2 622a 218 95 4U101-307 839 541 OPERATING EXPENSES Salaries/Wages & Benefits v38,580 ;= . $3.€12,455 =: '$218;3434) $125.600 Contractual Services 277,2€70 414 593 92 621 135 308 Interest on Loans 31,54)8 .;..::;....... ---- _. Concessions & Merchandise 267,622 Equipment 17,300 Electric Car Maintenance t65 918 51.385 .25100 Overhead Debt _ 154.93? `"'= 71,208 Principal Payment 191 440 Instruction Service1:8 2 . . Rental Service Club Re air _. rY<: 2j 35 utilities Capital Improvement -- 25,400 Insurance __ -- 18,000 Miscellaneous --------— 29 342 17.300 Total Operating Expenses .$817,004 - $911,541is-;:; 34 55 $57,100 Net Income For Year (Profit) .$1.48,000 $396,298 " „#}81783 $ 60,700 Source: American Society of Golf Course Architects 30/MAY 1989iP&R `NGF's research projections indicate that, to meet current demand, approximately 3 75 new courses are needed each year and at least 25 percent should be municipal. ":. States Golf Association (USGA) is also making public golf course de- velopment a priority. Earlier this year, USGA presented NGF with a special one-time $45,000 grant to use in its effort to stimulate public golf course development. The funds, said Palermo, will under- write a nationwide promotion and informational program. "The campaign will be directed at some 30,000 lending institution officers, government officials and developers," he said. "It will en- courage them to consider the many benefits of developing golf courses in their communities." The campaign will involve, among other things, developing a booklet that will outline the profit potential and other benefits of a public golf facility, and the con- siderations involved in planning and developing such a facility. NGF has also begun a national series of seminars for municipal officials, de- velopers, and individual entrepre- neurs interested in knowing more about how to develop a golf course. As a result of Golf Summit '88, Palermo notes that many other of golf's other associations are also launching programs to help munici- palities and others deal more effec- tively with their golf -related needs. For example: • The PGA of America is forming a consulting subsidiary similar to tae NGF's. It will be geared to help- ing real estate and other de- velopers. The PGA also will be col- lecting and publishing information on various ways to speed up play. • The Golf Course Superinten- dent Association is expanding its efforts to educate golf course oper- ators on the proper use and storage of herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals. In this regard, it has also developed a program that will allow facilities to evaluate the degree to Which tliev Comply Witt► eliviruu- mental rules and regulations. The association also is funding univer- sity studies on the environmental Impact of golf course maintenance chemicals. • The Golf Course Association and the Club Managers Association are developing a uniform account- ing system for golf courses which many in the industry consider crit- ical to creating more sources of financing for golf development. • The PGA TOUR, National Club Association, and NGF are spearheading development of spe- cialized risk -management and in- surance programs that significantly reduce insurance premium costs for golf facilities. "I don't believe the golf industry has ever been so actively committed to public golf course development," says Palermo. "And neither had the game's growth potential ever been so thoroughly researched and documented." ❑ The Best Under The Sun ... Set Up In 30 Seconds! Our unique KD Kanopy provides the best solution anytime, anywhere. 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KELSEY PARK GREAT MEADOWS NJ 07838 y Please circle reader service card number 24 P&R/MAY 19139/31 4. bi hile there is considerabie research concerning parks, wilderness, fishing, skiing, and travel, there is virtually none on golf. Millions of people in America spend millions of dollars on golf, yet no one has investigated the preferences golfers have for golf course difficulty. The National Golf Foundation (NGF) 1985 Research Report in- dicated -that in 1985, 109 courses opened for play, and in 1986, 165 new courses were started. A 1985 study indicated that there were 17.5 million golfers in the United States. Of 2,309 courses surveyed by NGF, a total estimate of $1.7 billion was spent to maintain them, while an- other $1.8 -billion went into main- taining equipment. With such large sums of capital being expended, it seems logical that the money be directed proper- ly, that is, for the participants' satis- faction. Golfers should be able to MdILAb •- ` � dam~ �'' - - •..�! fir•. �5;f:' - a 40 7_2 • ti w '. , 'i' : T''i Jam"{rte. �•,' ...A1' : � .' - . Over the Mounds and into the Rough 38/MAY 1989/P&R THE IDEAL GOLF COURSE play courses which have the charac- teristics they prefer. Golf course de- signers, recreation directors, and public officials should be aware of play characteristics that golfers pre- fer and should provide them. The United States Golf Associa- tion (USGA) has defined both the characteristics which make a course difficult and the degree of that dif- ficulty. The association collected the data for this study with a question- naire containing 13 items of golf course difficulty. It developed the questionnaire by using the United States Golf Association (USGA) Men's Golf Course Rating System (USGA, 1985b) as the framework. USGA surveyed a total of 322 (263 males and 59 females) from six courses in the Reno, Nevada, and Sacramento, California, areas to assess their preferences for charac- teristics of difficulty on a golf course. The survey's 13 items of dif- ficulty are listed separately. Survey takers recorded responses on a five - point scale of Rrongly Agree (S) Agree (4), Undecided (3), Disagree (2), and Strongly Dkwgree (1). Thirteen Items of Golf Course Difficulty 1. I prefer courses that make shots tougher compared to playing courses that make shots easier. 2. I prefer fairways where my stance may be extremely un- even compared to only level. 3. I prefer fairways with mounds and level areas to fairways that are only level. 4. I prefer hitting onto elevated greens compared to hitting onto greens level with the fairway. 5. I prefer narrow fairways, 30 yards wide compared to wide fairways, 55 yards wide. 6. I prefer straight fairways to fair- ways with doglegs. 7. I prefer playing from the tees farthest back compared to play- ing tees that are more forward. BY RON BAILEY 8. I prefer water hazards I can easi- ly avoid to water hazards to which I have to play close. 9. I prefer greens with water hazards nearby to greens hav- ing no water hazards. 10. I prefer fairways lined with trees compared to -fairways with a few trees. 11. I prefer open fairways that allow for easier shots compared to fairways with a tree placed to make shots tougher. 12. I prefer shallow sand bunkers on both sides of the fairway to having one shallow bunker on one side. 13• I prefer deep sand bunkers around the greens compared to shallow sand bunkers. The results of the studv indicated that when female and male gol- fers were combined, they preferred eight of the more difficult character- istics and two of the less difficult. In three of the items, they had no pref- erence. It was obvious that, col- lectively, male and female golfers preferred the difficult characteris- tics more often than they did the easier ones. Both male and female golfers pre- ferred "tree lined fairways" more than "fairways having few trees." Trees offer aesthetics, hazards, and focus to a course. They are beautiful, provide shade, and cool the en- vironment; perhaps that is why re- spondents preferred tree -lined fair- ways. As a hazard, trees can interfere with a golfer's shots, particularly if they hover over the fairway. When trees line the fairway, they frame the intended path of the ball and enable the golfer to focus in on the target area with more assurance. Both genders preferred "fairways with mounds and level areas" to "fairways that are only level." Prefer- ence is highest when moderate amounts of complexity exist. Com- plexity is the number of in- dependently perceived elements in a scene. Mounds offer mystery and complexity to a course which, according to environmental psy- chologists, are preferable. Mounds in the fairways offer a safe and easily seen target for the golfer and may prevent a ball from rolling into the rough by deflecting it back into the fairway. Mounds also may offer a sense of visual mystery. With the existence of level areas between the mounds, the golfer may feel comfortable about the fairness of the fairway and intrigued with the mysterious look mounding offers. "Courses that 'make shots tougher" were preferred over "courses that make shots easier." Both the male and female golfers preferred to be challenged as op- posed to being bored. Male and female golfers pre- ferred "hitting to elevated greens." Elevation could be a few feet to per- haps ten or 20. The appeal to golfers by this characteristic may be similar to that of mounds. Both genders preferred "fairways shaped like a dogleg" over "straight fairways," probably because they offer mystery and challenge to the golfer who must land the ball in a specific area in order for the follow- ing shot to be successful. Both genders also preferred "shallow bunkers on both sides or one side of the fairway." Apparently the golfers felt the presence of two bunkers, termed the squeeze effect by the USGA, was not a problem. Uncommon to most of the results of this study, both males and females preferred the less difficult characteristics in two items: "wide fairways" and "fairways with only level stances." Perhaps a sense of P&R/IMAY 1989/39 what is fair dominated their thoughts in these items. Wide fair- ways offer a larger margin for error than narrow ones. However, a wide fairway can be difficult because of mounds, trees, and water. A level stance makes a course difficult but fair. An uneven stance increases dif- ficulty, and fairness, in the golfer's mind, may be decreased. Male and female golfers differed markedly in their opinions on a number of characteristics, however. Male golfers preferred the more dif- ficult characteristics of having "water hazards near the green." Female golfers indicated no prefer- ence between the characteristics of "greens with water hazards nearby" to "greens with no water hazards." Male golfers, when approaching a green, are often hitting a short iron into it; female golfers, in contrast, frequently must hit a long iron or fairway wood. Accuracy is more easily produced with the short irons and this may account for the male preference. Male golfers preferred "playing from the tees set farthest back" while the female golfers preferred "playing from the tees set more for- ward." Among the respondents, this particular item had the largest amount of varying opinion. Further research evidence may indicate that length of a hole is a characteristic of difficulty not yet resolved. It may determine that the women's tee boxes- should be adjusted even farther away from the men's tee boxes than is currently being done. In essence, making the course shorter offers the golfers playing from those tees a better opportunity to shoot lower scores. "Fairways with a strategically placed tree" were preferred over "open fairways" by male golfers. Evidence suggested that female gol- fers couldn't decide about this item. In speculating about this, male gol- fers may feel that having a tree as a 40/MAY 1989/P&R "Golf course designers, recreation directors ... should be aware of play characteristics that golfers prefer and should provide Mem. " hazard is not much of a problem because they can hit the ball over or around it without much difficulty. "Deep sand bunkers about the greens" were preferred by the male golfers. The female golfers were un- decided about "deep or shallow sand bunkers near the green." Per- haps this difference results from male golfers' perceptions that they can escape deep bunkers with little difficulty. Conversely, female gol- fers may lack confidence in their abilities to play from either deep or shallow bunkers, and they feel no difference. Male golfers couldn't decide about preferences for either "easily avoidable water hazards or the presence of water hazards close to the target areas." Female golfers demonstrated a preference for "easily avoidable water hazards." This was a surprising finding among the male golfers, who, in the other items preferred the difficult characteristic. However, with this item, some of the male golfers may have thought of striking a long iron or fairway wood, a more difficult shot than with a short iron, at a tar- get having water nearby. So fairways should contain as many trees along them as possible. In the fairways, mounds should have level areas between them. In a new course, consider elevated greens as well as fairways with dog- leg configurations. Carefully plan water hazards and allow golfers to play either near or over them, or to avoid them altogether. Use trees carefully as obstacles and eliminate sand bunkers along the fairwav, or limit them to locations that prevent the golfer's ball from rolling into severely penal rough. Place shallow sand bunkers about the greens with a few greens flanked by deep sand bunkers, and use wide fairways (55 yards wide). If you doubt whether the play should be difficult or easy, lean toward difficult. Golf instructors can use the in- formation from this study to en- hance their teaching. By under- standing which aspects of the golf course cause the most concern and are most preferred by their stu- dents, they can instruct accordingly. They can teach golfers hoar to fade or draw the ball around a tree, how to successfully hit out, of bunkers, and how to hit the ball from an un- even stance. This study might also be used by golf course architects. They would be able, with more assurance, to de- sign characteristics and difficulty that are actually preferred by the particular golfers who are playing the course instead of merely mak- ing assumptions about their prefer- ences. So listen to what the golfers have to say, and plan accordingly! ❑ Full -course aeration made easy. Now you can deliver "greens - quality" aeration to your entire course with a single piece of equipment. Variable core spacing makes the GA 30" aerator as good on fairways as it is on greens. Simply move the spacing adjustment control from 1."-5" or anywhere in between, lock it in place, and you're ready to go without leaving your seat. Spacing Production Yield 2.50 in. x ( ) in. sq. ft. per hr. holes/sq. k. 1.00 5,625 57.6 1.50 8,440 38.4 2.00 11,250 28.8 2.50 14,060 .23.0 3.00 16,875 19.2 3.50 19,690 16.5 4.00 22,500 14.4 4.50 25,310 - 12.8 5.00 28,125 11.5 The GA 30 aerator also helps you get on and off the course more quickly. Its 18 hp engine with a six mph transport speed is two -three times faster than other aerators. So why waste time walking when you can ride to work? Ryan's crank drive penetrates straight in at a depth of up to 3-3/4 inches. The tine -ram, ground -driven, reversing gear box pulls cores straight out to better protect your turf from damage—no matter what the spacing. For a feel of the most cost- efficient aerator money can buy, contact the Ryan dealer nearest you for a free demonstration. Or call toll free: 1-500-228-4444. RYAN Please circle reader service card numbp 27 6483 Cushman, P.O. Box 82409, Lincoln, NE 68501 Outboard Marine Corporation, 1988. All rights reserved. 1 TEN N I S for Tots and Teens Av7hat did American tennis stars Arthur Ashe, Billie VV jean King, and jimmy Con- nors all have in common when they were kids learning to play? First, as hard as it is to imagine, they all were once beginners. Second, they all were beginners whose interest in the game started on the courts of their local parks. While our parks' courts and be- ginner programs are still the most common starting point for aspiring ,young players, they are only part of the answer if we are to ignite ,youth Participation in tennis on a long - 44/4AY 1989/P&R BY MICHAEL SILVERMAN term basis. Equally important, and often overlooked, we need to offer more competitive opportunities and follow-up programs on public courts to challenge youngsters once they have learned the basics. Traditionally, higher-level in- structional programs and tourna- ments sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association (LISTA) have been the realm of private clubs, especially in seasonal areas. When public courts don't offer sim- ilar activities, it's understandable that the community still perceives tennis as a high-cost sport, even though they may have an excellent entry-level park program. Unless we offer a wide -range of tennis opportunities in the. parks, we stand to lose many of the urban young- sters we originally introduced to tennis, most of whom will not main- tain as Serious an interest in pursu- ing higher levels of the game if those offerings are less accessible or affordable. The solution is to develop a "pyra- mid" of progressively challenging programs that services all ability levels with fun incentives and struc- tured opportunities for play. We can accomplish this with the help of suc- cessful national offerings to broaden the "base," and then build upon that base by providing more competitive opportunities and spe- cialized programs that encourage kids to continue playing. Broadening the Base with Pee Wee and Teamtennis Not every child who starts whack- ing a tennis ball at age four will be- come Andre Agassi, but adding a pee wee tennis program for four- to eight -year-olds will certainly guarantee a fun time for a relativelv untapped age group of kids. The United States Tennis Association has recently developed a basic curric- ulum for recreation directors, called "Short Tennis." Miniature racquets and foam balls are used to scale down the game, where techni- cal instruction is minimal and bath- room breaks are frequent. The game uses nets set up per- pendicularly to a court's standard net, creating four mini -courts. This space -saving format is ideal for small facilities looking to provide a new program without compromis- ing public court time. Because of this, it is also an excellent carrvover program for indoor recreation cen- ters and gyms throughout the year. A Short Tennis program is great for generating media interest, as well as the interest of many more non- playing parents. Teamtennis has become in- creasingly popular throughout the country as a fun way of introducing kids to singles and doubles play. It is especially appealing for young chil- dren and beginners because there is less pressure on individual per- formance, and the team format is socially as well as athletically re- warding. The USTA/National junior Tennis League has been turning kids on to tennis on public courts since Arthur Ashe co-founded the program in 1968. The format is versatile—the weekly team practices and ladder matches are great for establishing a program at a single location; you can combine teams from several park locations to form a competitive league. The USTA/NJTL is designed chiefly for novice players, so it is important to plan for an inter- mediate program once you have es- tablished the novice one. Boys and girls play on the same team in Domino's Pizza Teamten- nis, where the total number of games determines the winner after five sets of boys' and girls' singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. You can substitute players during the course of the match. With a mini- mum of only four players (two boys, two girls) needed for a team, getting a league of at least four teams started is easy to do. The fun format is pop- IIlar y .y1IIi• 11 .J.. as klu,3, who often will get involved as team coaches. Teamtennis also works nicely for intermediate and ad- vanced players. Tournaments After enjoying practicing and playing teamtennis at their local park, many kids will eventuallv be interested in testing their skills in junior tournament competition. The question is—are there suf- ficient tournament opportunities for them in their own backyard? Many more youths, especially inner- city youths, would be turned on to tennis competition if more recrea- tion managers would take an active role in scheduling frequent tourna- ments on public courts. Many tennis facilities have a wealth of resources to make junior tournaments outstanding player and spectator events, but too often they are delegated to volunteers or community tennis associations. Sometimes this arrangement is eco- nomically and logistically effective for both parties. When it is in- effective, or the services offered are limited, however, recreation man- agers should decide whether or not more self-sufficiency is necessary to maximize public use of their courts. It doesn't take extensive training or staffing to run a tennis tournament—it only takes one tournament director. With a nomin- al entry fee, they are economically self-sustaining, and often generate added revenue. Some Tournament Suggestions • Work with the regional USTA office to sanction some of the events. Sanctioned tournament re- sults determine regional and sec- tional rankings, an added incentive for many players. Parents and play PCC may then view park tourna- ments as practical alternatives to those at private clubs. • If unused court space is avail- able, offer a seasonal ladder compe- tition for juniors ages 14 through 18, at selected locations. 0 Set aside a couple of hours a week for kids in the instructional program to come down for a pick- up match in singles and doubles play. � Select three or four public court locations and design a "cir- cuit" that lets inner-city ,youngsters compete every two weeks for "points," just like the pros. After the circuit is over, the top point -earners in each age group qualify for the "master's championships," and the title of parks champion. The points - format offers an immediate in- centive for kids to play the next event to see how many points they can add to their total. An excellent time to offer some- P&R/NTAY 1989/45 R percentage of court time to be don- ated to park -related programs and/ or tournaments. Concessionaires benefit with this arrangement by acquiring new clientele as well as free publicity. ° Special Events: Fun and Games One -day special events can do more to spark public interest in ten- nis than anything else. These pro- motions can tie the overall program together because their "instant' ex- citement appeals to all ages and abil- ity levels. In addition, they can be excellent entry-level vehicles to ini- tiate corporate interest in the over- all program. Here are several ex- amples: • The Tennis Carnival—Fun and games like target tennis, a fast serve contest (you can often borrow a radar gun from the local police department or a sponsoring racquet company), consecutive volley and/ or rally contest, plus at least one court set aside for introductory les- sons. Award prizes to each winner. If you charge a nominal entry fee for each contest, the tennis carnival be- comes a great fundraiser. There are also independently produced extravaganzas available for parks and recreation locations that are truly memorable pro- ductions. Thev usually include teaching pros, prizes, and fun con- tests that promote the sport of ten- nis as well as the sponsor. 0 Professional Clinics in the Parks—Getting a world-class pro to perform a one-hour exhibition or clinic at a local park is not as difficult as it may seem. In some cities, ,you can coordinate player appearances in conjunction with a professional, satellite or even national tourna- ment happening nearby. You can sometimes secure well-known pros through either their agents or their endorsement companies, who often are interested in cosponsor- ing such events. Many pros truly en- joy "giving something back to the game" and helping kids, and you should tap their services when pos- sible. • Tennis Day/Week—One-day or one-week instructional tennis cli- nics should have one purpose— giving kids a few special lessons so that they will want to come back for Even little kids can play tenni never mind that the rac- quets are almost as big as they are! With programs like Pee Wee Tennis, little ten- nis players can grow into big ones. That's good for America's tennis program, good for recreation pro- grams, and good for all the tennis players. These youngsters are playing on modified courts, scaled down to kid size. more. Ideally, the organizer should provide equipment, either by a sponsor or through an entry fee, so that players can keep their racquets once the event is over. Radio sta- tions will want to promote this type of event. If junior permits are sold during the year, including a vouch- er for a free lesson will effectively attract new students to targeted locations. "Racquets for Kids": A Special Year-round Promotion Now successfully established throughout the United States, "Rac- quets for Kids" can provide a yearly source of racquets that you can use to supplement equipment in- ventory or give to the economically underprivileged. The public don- ates used racquets at designated col- lection centers, and receives a tax deduction based upon an appraisal. Collection centers can include ten- nis facilities and local sporting goods stores. Getting more rac- quets out there can be almost as important as getting more people on the courts! Continued on page 67 P&R/MAY 1989/47 thing like this is during school vaca- tion, when you can schedule match- es to fill "dead" mid -week, middav periods. The first year we set up this concept in New York, 300 kids from throughout the City participated in a two-month circuit, many of whom were playing in their first sanc- tioned tournament. 0 Combine adjoining local pro- grams to initiate team competitions. Developing an Advanced Academy Advanced tennis costs money_ money for coaching, tournaments and travel expenses, equipment, and, in seasonal areas, indoor prac- tice time. Offering a scholarship academy that helps dedicated youngsters offset some of these costs ,may not be a priority to most A/;V nl Teamtennis Reebok Urban Yout Racquets for Kids'- recreation directors, but it is the culmination of a truly com- prehensive tennis program. The continuity of a year-long program such as this is also a much needed incentive for .many inner -cin , kids if they are to have a go at pursuing a serious interest in tennis. Besides offsetting expenses, an academy dramatically increases the numher of compatible practice partners for many kids, enhancing their games and promoting comraderie. In 1981, the New York Parks De- partment began the Urban Youth Tennis Academy to help defray the high costs of advanced tennis train- ing so that more city kids might have an opportunity to realize their potential. Currently sponsored by Reebok International Ltd., the pro- gram provides free coaching, year- round practice time, equipment, 46/MAY 1989/P&R .. - L101 ZUUCidEEVII :Il 7-9 Alexander Ind. Princeton, iNu os,4', and tournament expenses for 50 promising economically under- privileged ,youngsters each year. The academy selects players at an- nual tryouts open to all local resi- dcnts. joince its inception more tiiail 100 participants have earned either a collegiate tennis scholarship or a LISTA sectional ranking after attend- ing the program. Corporate support for this type of program is a promising sign for. the future, and can be a rewarding in- vestment. While a sponsor is desir- able to help offset the expenses of such a program, it is not essential if you have sufficient staffing and court time. This can be difficult in many seasonal locations, however, when the public courts are closed for the winter. One way is to include a provision in your winter tennis concession that allows for a small .. _� _w,T_:.._.r—!.... �.. •._fdt: �-�-t3-sem-� 06nii:nO', PinuDomin):s ['izzA 1' := Tennis Everyone! Tn many wa�•s, the future of Amer- - ican tennis hinges upon the re source of our public parte program. Maintaining courts and preserving the publics right to in- dividual playing time will always be ' on our priority list. But we must also " include a variety of inventive pro- grams in this formula if we are to plant the seeds for another Amer- 1: ican "tennis boom, as well as per- haps for our future U.S. open cham- pions. Marsh Pointe johns Island, SC 29455