1. Public Workshop Parks Forward Initiative
October 3, 2013
1:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Auburn, CA

2. Welcome and Introductions

3. Objectives Learn about Parks Forward Initiative (PFI)
Share perspectives and deepen understanding around key issues being addressed by PFI; provide public input
Meeting the needs of all Californians
Sustainable funding
Effective partnerships
Open House: Opportunity to ask questions and share views with State Parks and PFI staff
-Facilitators introduce themselves and review their role.
-Facilitator frames the workshop purpose, emphasizing that the primary purpose is to help deepen understandings around the key issues being addressed by PFI, so this can inform people’s comments.
-As part of description of invited guests, facilitator will describe the criteria by which the invited guests were selected and note that section was made with input from both State Parks and PFI staff.
Locally active stakeholder
Longer-term relationship with State Parks
Combination of regional and statewide perspectives
Important perspective on the particular themes
-The facilitator will emphasize that a major intended outcome of the workshop is written comments submitted to PFI over the coming days/weeks.
-Facilitator explains that a synthesis summary report covering all of the public workshops will be prepared for posting on PFI website and presentation to the PF Commission (November meeting).

4. Workshop Agenda TIME TOPIC 1:00 PM Welcome and Introductions 1:25 PM
Overview of Parks Forward Initiative
1:50 PM
Theme 1: Meeting the Needs of All Californians
3:00 PM
Break
3:15 PM
Theme 2: Sustainable Funding
4:10 PM
Theme 3: Partnerships
4:50 PM
Closing Remarks
5:00 PM
OPEN HOUSE
5:30 PM
Adjourn

5. Proposed Ground Rules
Please focus your input on the workshop objectives
Everyone is encouraged to provide input
Invite written comments
Honor the agenda and time limits for oral comment
Respectful interaction
Cell phones off/silent
- Highlight that this is not a hearing with testimony.
OTHER GUIDANCE:
- Facilitator provides guidance for making sure AGP is able to capture presentations/comments.
- At outset of workshop, facilitators and PFI staff will assess the number of participants and determine whether participants will be able to provide input for each theme (or whether they have to select one of the three themes), and about how much time they will have to comment).

6. Overview of Parks Forward Initiative

7. Parks Forward Initiative
Parks Forward Initiative – goals and objectives
Legislative driver – AB 1478
Parks Forward Commission
12 members appointed by Secretary of CA Natural Resources Agency
Distinct from State Parks Commission
Funded by Resources Legacy Fund
Combination of six non-profit foundations
Parks Forward staff, CA Department of Parks staff, independent consultants

8. Parks Forward Initiative Process and Timeline
Survey of CA State Parks employees, focus group meetings (July/Aug)
10 public workshops statewide to gather information and promote more detailed comments (September/October)
Data gathering and analysis by consultants
6 Parks Forward Commission Meetings
September 18, 2013, Sacramento
December 2013, Sacramento
February 2014, Los Angeles
April 2014, San Francisco (Draft Plan prepared for Public Comment)
August 2014, Sacramento (Final Plan Adopted)
May 2015, Sacramento (Implementation Follow Up & Potential Plan Refinement)
2014
2015

9. Themes Meeting the needs of all Californians Sustainable funding
Partnerships

10. Public Input Process Initiate public comment with 2-3 guest speakers
Estimate number of public commenters; identify comment duration period
Desired speakers fill out speaker cards
Speakers provide input
Invited to speak to “focus questions”
Additional comments: comment forms or sticky notes

11. Theme 1: Meeting Needs of CA
What is working well, what is not working well, and what key improvements could be made to ensure state parks better meet the needs of all Californians in your region?
Focus Questions:
How would you characterize those groups currently using the state parks in your region, and those groups of potential park visitors that are underserved and under-represented today by your state parks? 
What types of parks or park services, facilities, programs, and activities are required to meet the needs of both existing and future visitors?  
Under what conditions and by what criteria should any new State Parks be created or new acreage added to existing state parks?  

12. Theme 2: Sustainable Funding
What should be done to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of State Parks?
Focus Questions:
Should State Parks aim for self-sufficiency, or should it always receive some dependable level of support from the state? If the latter, what State Park functions merit at least some state funding?
What is the right mix of funding sources for State Parks among those available, including general fund, taxation, user fees, service and concession revenue, corporate, philanthropy?  
 What specific, significant opportunities are there to reduce costs, increase revenues, or otherwise prioritize spending within State Parks?

13. Theme 3: Partnerships
What are the opportunities for improving and/or expanding use of alternative operating arrangements that could enhance visitor experiences while improving long-term financial sustainability of State Parks?
Focus Questions:
What is working and what is not working in existing park operating partnerships and cooperative management arrangements in your region?
 What are the most appropriate roles and functions for partners to perform relating to operation of State Parks?
 What can State Parks do to better support and manage effective operating partnerships?

14. Next Steps: Upcoming Workshops
Eureka and Auburn: 1:00-5:30 PM
All other Workshops: 3:00-7:30 PM
Region
Location
Central CA
Santa Cruz
September 9th
Louden Nelson Community Center
Fresno
September 10th
University Square Hotel
San Luis Obispo
September 11th
City/County Library
Northern CA
Eureka
September 30th
Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center
San Rafael
October 2nd
Embassy Suites
Auburn
October 3rd
Holiday Inn Auburn
Southern CA
San Diego
October 14th
San Diego Center for Civic Engagement
Inland Empire
October 15th
Doubletree Ontario Airport
Orange County
October 16th
Crowne Plaza Anaheim
Los Angeles
October 17th
Radisson at USC

15. Open House Station 1: Meeting the Needs of All Californians (Theme 1)
Station 2: Sustainable Funding (Theme 2)
Station 3: Partnerships (Theme 3)
Station 4: Questions about Parks Forward Initiative
More opportunities to submit written comments (comment forms)

16. Submit Comments Website: www.parksforward.com
Mail (US Postal Service):
Parks Forward Initiative
California Natural Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1414
Sacramento, CA 95814