Session 2 Recap: Quality of Life & The Budget Process

Session 2 focused on Quality of Life, featuring the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and the Budget Process, focusing on the Administrative Services Department. The site of Session 2 was Morningside Nature Center, Gainesville's premiere nature park. The session began inside the half moon schoolhouse on the Living History Farm.

Cultural Affairs Manager Coni Gesualdi presented an overview of the diverse operations of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. The Department provides a variety of active and passive recreational activities for all City and area residents. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs also maintains the landscape of all City parks, recreational facilities, parking lots, streets medians and rights-of-way. A general overview of the Department is available on the Citizens' Academy Web page.

Following the presentation and questions, participants were split into two groups. Each group had a chance to tour the Living History Farm with our host, Recreation Leader Kate Devine who dressed in period clothing and shared a number of insights into what life was like on a Gainesville Farm in the late 1800s.

The second tour focused on the preserve areas in the park with Habitat Naturalist Don Musen. Don explained the importance of prescribed burning in the park. Morningside Nature Center is one of the last remaining examples of fire-dependent longleaf pine woodlands in the area. More than seven miles of trails wind through sandhill, flatwoods, cypress domes, and areas where native vegetation is being restored.

Following the park tours the Academy participants experienced a sample nature education program from dynamic Nature Operations staff members Sally Wazny, Program Coordinator and Hollie Greer, Nature Assistant.

Last on the session's agenda was an overview of the Administrative Services Department and the City's Budget process by Administrative Services Director Becky Rountree. A general overview of the department as well as the PowerPoint presentation given by Ms. Rountree is available on the Citizens' Academy Web page. Given the complexity of the budgetary process we plan on offering a second mini-session on the budget at Session 5 on November 30.

REMEMBER: Session 3 will be held at the Public Works Compound, located at 405 NW 39th Avenue, on Friday, November 2 from 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Please wear comfortable clothes and closed toed shoes suitable for walking. Questions? Please call the Communications and Marketing Office at (352) 334-5017 or e-mail parmeleeka@cityofgainesville.org.We look forward to seeing you next week!