Gainesville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Shows Perseverance Despite State Budget Cuts at Quarterly Update
The Gainesville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs (PRCA) division gave its quarterly update to the City Commission on Thursday.
PRCA’s goal is to “create meaningful experiences and a feeling of connection and belonging for all through exceptional programs and services with well-maintained parks, public places, natural resources, and historic sites.”
PRCA Director Roxy Gonzalez said, “In Fiscal Year 2024 we were separated by nine divisions. With the restructuring that occurred with the budget cuts, we went down to six divisions. In looking at our mission, vision, and values, we’ve determined we no longer want to use divisions but call us teams within the department.”
The Administration Team handles budgeting, customer service, and accreditation.
The Cultural Affairs Team manages eight cultural or historical facilities around Gainesville and provides community support to dozens of organizations through grant funding and event space.
The Ironwood Golf Course Team manages Gainesville’s municipal golf course. Ironwood Golf Course contains 18 holes, a lighted driving range, and a bar.
Gainesville Cultural Affairs Manager Carol Velasques said in an interview last week at the A. Quinn Jone Museum that PRCA lost $150,000 last year after Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed arts grants in Florida.
Gonzalez said, “With the budget cuts, we eliminated the nature operations division…. To not stop offering the community the programs and services that we have been offering, we were able to utilize the staffing that was in that section and place them where they have more resources. For example, in the Park Operations [Team], there are really four maintenance workers who come from Natural Resources with two supervisors. They handle 3,200 acres, so we were able to combine that, and now they have an additional 34 employees in Park Operations.”
The Park Operations Team employs 42 people maintaining 80 parks around the city. Gonzalez said, “It's a small team for a lot of stuff, but I’m proud of every single one of them…. They are setting up or breaking down about 90% of the special events that happen.”
Depot Park used to be its own independent division but has since been placed in the Recreation Operations Team.
The Recreation Operations Team oversees six recreation centers, one recreation complex, three pools, and several athletic fields.
PRCA removed the Environmental Education Division but placed environmental education services with the Youth Services and Education Programs Team.
The Youth Services and Education Programs Team provides schooling, tram tours, and after-school programs for children, adults, and elderly people.
Gonzalez said, “Combining Youth Services with our education programs was one of the benefits we had from the budget cuts to be honest, because we’re able to combine what we currently do with the city’s initiative and needs.”
PRCA Assistant Director Leslie Ladendorf highlighted the city’s recreational programs, such as the Midnight Basketball Program for middle and high schoolers on Friday nights at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center.
Ladendorf said the Heatwave basketball program’s name is being changed to the Summer Hoops program.
Ladendorf thanked Gainesville Fire and Rescue (GFR) employees for assisting PRCA with controlled burns.
Gonzalez recognized the organizations formally partnering with PRCA.
Gonzalez said PRCA would be continuing its work with ImpactGNV, a local effort to reduce gun violence.
Commissioner Casey Willis asked if there’s been any overlap between PRCA and the Downtown Ambassador Program.
Gonzalez said, “They come out and communicate with staff when they are out there, and it is pretty smooth sailing and running seamlessly. I know that they have attended some of the cultural affairs meetings so if we did have concerns, we would address it with them and see where we stand, but there are no duplicate efforts in that aspect because I don't have staff out there every day. They are only there to prepare for an event or not, and they do random checks and walk-arounds, but they are not there every day. Same thing with the City Hall area. We’re here [at] City Hall to maintain the grounds, but they do help with the houseless neighbors and some trash pickup as well.
Regarding Hasley Lynch Park, Gonzalez said, “My staff goes out there daily to do their pickup, and if we come into anything, we address it. When we’re not there and the [downtown ambassadors] see we’re not there, they address the issue, whether it’s trash or whether it’s neighbors…. They do notify us, and we keep in constant conversation with them.”
Commissioner Desmond Duncan-Walker said, “I want to thank the entire PRCA team…. You all have really gone hard in the paint under some really adverse situations and circumstances. I just want to tip my hat to you…. It has been a privilege to watch you all do your work so well, respond to challenges, and be able to pivot. We know those challenges have sometimes not just been financial. Sometimes we hear from people in the community who want things from us. A lot of times those wants and desires are justified [and] absolutely right. One thing I want to say to you, Roxie, as the leader of the organization, is a special thank you for your ability to pay attention to those needs…. Thank you, staff, for doing your jobs with the spirit of excellence…. It is critical in times like these.”
