2019 Accomplishments METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT OF TACOMA

• Obtained reaccreditation from Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA)

• Applied for and won the Gold Medal from National Parks and Recreation Association (NRPA)

• Received the 2019 NPRA Park Champion Award for Eastside Community Center opening which demonstrates the collaboration and partnership between local, state and federal governments in service to community

• Implemented a comprehensive legislative advocacy program. Secured $500,000 special appropriations from Washington State legislature for Melanie’s Park

• Set the direction, updated policies and developed an internal equity team to help better position and build a culture that understands and values diversity, equity & inclusion

• Launched five District Operation Teams to improve cross-departmental coordination of staff; built system for operation teams to interface with executive cabinet/leadership

• Completed phase two of resetting the Interagency Coordinating Committee with the City of Tacoma (COT) in preparation for a revised master agreement

• Conducted an in-depth organizational development study to identify ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness in 2020

• Managed the Heidelberg Sports Village study and started to address the potential future economic and program delivery opportunities with stakeholders and community

• Worked with COT to assist with establishing a Homeless Advocacy Intermediary to help support individuals experiencing homelessness in our parks; provided code changes to park board and city council to ensure safety for our community within our parks and facilities

Metro Parks Tacoma | 2019 Accomplishments

Setting Direction: Strategy, Policy & Governance

2019 Accomplishments METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT OF TACOMA

• Identified and addressed current/potential public safety issues and concerns:

Contracted with Cross Island Consulting to offer training on de-escalation and dealing with difficult people; Completed Risks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities assessments and began vetting recommendations to implement

Developed comprehensive Emergency Action plans for special events

Supported City’s E-Scooter program working to preserve safe use of public spaces

• Increased youth programs and service delivery:

Initiated Whole Child Program service 10 pilot schools in collaboration with Tacoma Creates and TPS

Expanded after-school programming in our community centers; Initiated Youth Councils to give them a voice in their community; Partnered with The First Tee to provide 16,146 youth golf experiences at Meadow Park Golf Course as well as over 18,000 golf experiences in all Tacoma elementary and middle schools

Youth volunteering opportunities: Enhanced the scope and quality of the Junior Ranger Program and engaged school tours through Ranger interpretation; Engaged with TPD’s new cadre of Youth Task Force officers; Doubled number of youth served through North West Youth Corp; Increased the number of high school students who volunteer in our Elementary Sports Program and other youth volunteering opportunities

• Continued to improve conservation practices:

Renewed concession leases with sustainable practices and social responsibility requirements

Continue to implement and promote no-single use plastics within our agency’s purchasing practices

Model environmental conservation and conservation best practices through our operation and maintenance practices such as pesticide free parks and sustainable equipment; Reduced and eventually eliminated the use of glyphosate and neonicotonids.

• Addressed and supported individuals experiencing homelessness within our parks and facilities:

Manage impacts in parks and natural areas, including Charlotte’s Blueberry Park, People’s, etc.

Work closely with TPD and Community & Neighborhood Services to align efforts and manage safety and security

Worked with Comprehensive Life Resources to offer shower program at People’s Center in Spring 2019 and developing plan to resume program in 2020

• Earned Fort Nisqually accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums

Metro Parks Tacoma | 2019 Accomplishments

Department of Parks & Recreation

Accomplishments METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT OF TACOMA

• Completed first of three years of Wildlife Champions

• Set new record PDZA and overall ZEED attendance

• Refined long-term vision to influence future planning and operational management

• Opened new bald eagle exhibit with 100% donor support

• Updated and enhanced operating agreements with The Zoo Society and Northwest Trek Foundation

• Identified, purchased and began transition to a new guest tram for Northwest Trek

• Completed first year of the Grit City Carnivore project data gathering, working on community engagement

• Launched popular Keeper Adventure Tour

• Experienced significant births within ZEED: Tapir Beaver Tamandua Red wolf • Advanced storytelling/social media with

increases from 26% - 168% on various platforms

• Enhanced experiences for individuals with disabilities through staff development and engagement opportunities:

PDZA & Trek staff trained and facilities certified by KultureCity and introduced sensory kits to create a more welcoming and inclusive experience for visitors

Hosted Under the Sea a special evening designed especially for kids with disabilities and their families

Department of Zoological & Environmental Education

Metro Parks Tacoma | 2019 Accomplishments

2019

2019 Accomplishments METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT OF TACOMA

• Worked with the community on a variety of planning and design projects:

Titlow master planSwan Creek master plan update and designEnvision Our Waterfront outreachOwen Beach designDickman Mill designGas Station ParkPoint Defiance Park: Marina improvement design,

PDZA parking improvements, Pt. Defiance Park Loop Trail design

• Implemented capital construction projects: Waterfront Phase 1 openingSeven PDZA improvements (Seawater Supply;

Picnic Shelter; Kid Zone Goat Fence upgrades, Refrigeration upgrades, Muskox Holding improvements, Wing and Dome upgrades, Admin building remodel, Solar power)

Three Titlow projects (Garage expansion, Fire remediation, TOA Demo)

Stewart Heights tennis courtsCharlotte’s playgroundBrowns Point Lighthouse

• In partnership with the business intelligence unit, coordinated the process to understand need and next steps to purchase and oversee a district-wide enterprise asset management, preventative maintenance and sustainability program to be implemented within ZEED and Parks & Recreation in 2020.

• In partnership with the Recreation Department and Communications division, provided new recreational opportunities and assets to the community:

Opened Dune, Wilson Way and supporting assetsProduced two grand openings in support of

Dune and Wilson WayOpened Water walk restroom to enhance visitor

experience

Metro Parks Tacoma | 2019 Accomplishments

Department of Planning, Development & Asset Management

2019 Accomplishments METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT OF TACOMA

• Provided budget, finance and business direction to the agency:

Refinanced the 2010 Build America Bonds and saved $2.4 million

Received the GFOA Distinguished Budget Award for our 2019-2020 Budget Book

Updated and expanded emergency management planning, including development of the district Continuity of Operations Plan and providing FEMA training

• Developed tools and campaigns to help communicate and market the district:

Launched a new websitePursued social media strategies to provide

greater social connectivity among parks and recreation users (ie, Instragram grew from 1 million impressions to 2.6 million)

Completed an assessment of our main brand and numerous sub-brands

Created MPT Planned Giving website and four planned giving pages for the Metro Parks supporting foundations.

Secured our first two mission-level sponsors at $90,000 per year apiece; secured $1.8 million for general operating and capital budgets through grants and corporate partnerships.

Achieved record level revenues of $566,000 from corporate partnerships more than doubling 2018 revenues.

• Provided human resources and organizational development support to the agency:

Provided Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training for 600+ Staff (PT/FT)

Metro Parks Tacoma | 2019 Accomplishments

Department of Business & Innovation

Developed an Organizational Effectiveness team to advance staff initiatives, including improving purchasing card usage, prevailing wage, etc.

Negotiated a 3-year Collective Bargaining Agreement thru 2022

Shifted a number of personnel processes from paper to digital to improve efficiency, to include but not limited to, online Employee Accident Reporting System, online portal for MPT staff and Implemented MAESTRO, the online enrollment Benefits Administration Platform

Implemented a new email archiving tool

• Updated the Information Technology Strategic Plan and improved systems to better support departments:

Implemented modules and training to improve the effectiveness of ActiveNet

Implemented an electronic medical information pilot for youth camp and sports participants

Established public facing Strategic Master Plan Performance Measures

• Worked with Parks & Recreation and other departments on volunteer recruitment and retention:

Developed a user friendly web based registration portal and created a volunteer onboarding process

Increased recorded number of volunteers in parks and recreation from 1045 to 3880

Total 2019 Volunteers: 5,291 Total 2019 Volunteer Hours: 148,173 Value 2019 Volunteer Hours: $3,768,032