What is the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy?
It is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization created solely for the purpose of transforming Shelby Farms Park into one of the nation’s best urban parks. The Conservancy was formed because it has the flexibility to make decisions, it has the community-based leadership to act courageously, and it has the ability to attract important financial contributions from local and national businesses and foundations. In this role, it will operate the park, manage its unique resources, and lead the vision for it.
How was the Conservancy given authority over Shelby Farms Park?
On March 26, 2007, the Shelby County Board of Commissioners – acting on recommendations from its special ad hoc committee on Shelby Farms Park – voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution authorizing Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton to negotiate an agreement with a nonprofit organization for the operations, management, and leadership of the park. After four months of negotiations, an agreement was finalized, and a signing ceremony took place July 20, 2007. As part of this process, Mayor Wharton identified the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy as the nonprofit organization to manage and lead 2,900 acres of the park, excluding Agricenter International and the area used by county government.
What is the purpose of the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy?
The Conservancy has been granted an historic opportunity to manage, operate, and lead Shelby Farms Park. Its overall mission is to create one of the great urban parks of the 21st century at Shelby Farms Park. It begins by employing a top-notch staff to manage the park and leading a master planning process that attracts national experts to plan the park’s future. After completion and approval of the master plan, the Conservancy will be responsible for implementing the plan and raising the money for it.
Who are members of the Conservancy?
Members of the Conservancy Board of Directors are a cross-section of the leadership in Shelby County, including business and philanthropic leaders and ex-officio members of Shelby County Government and both Agricenter International and Shelby County Agricenter Commission. Members are Mayor Wharton, Anderson, Elizabeth Boyd, Judge George Brown, Marsh Campbell, Buck Clark, Dorothy Crook, Willie Gregory, Tom Grimes, Barbara Hyde, Larry Jensen, Roger Knox, B. Lee Mallory, Rick Masson, John McCormick, Michael McDonnell, Will Moore, Patrick Neely, Cheryl Patterson, Mearl Purvis, Ken Reeves, Carol Ross-Spang, Tom Schmitt, Peter Schutt, Ham Smythe, Mark Stansbury, Rorie Trammel, Bridget Trenary, Bill Tuttle, Peter Wehrly, Kem Wilson III, and Luke Yancy IV.
What will the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy do?
The Shelby Farms Park Conservancy will oversee operations and maintenance of Shelby Farms Park, act as steward for the public of the land and its uses, and lead development of a master plan for a great American park. Next steps include hiring staff, raising capital and operating funds, and working with Agricenter International to coordinate public investment and uses. In its role, the Conservancy will work closely with Shelby County Government, which will continue to provide the current level of funding and in-kind support given to the park. The Conservancy’s first major priority is to create a master plan that defines the public’s new vision for the park, and it includes hiring a well-known national planner, overseeing the planning development, ensuring public involvement, and implementing the final recommendations.
What are the major terms of the agreement between county government and the Conservancy?
The initial agreement has a 10-year term with automatic extensions unless notice of termination is given. It gives the Conservancy authority over 2,900 acres, ensures that county funding remains at its current level, gives the Conservancy the authority to set fees and operate all concessions, and requires annual financial reports to the board of commissioners.
Is there a precedent for creation of a park conservancy?
Absolutely. Numerous examples exist in cities across the U.S., but perhaps the most famous is the Central Park Conservancy in New York City, which manages Central Park in conjunction with New York City Parks Administration. Also, Atlanta’s Piedmont Park is managed by the Piedmont Park Conservancy. As public funds become tighter and tighter, these kinds of arrangements allow for upkeep of valuable parkland and development of new urban parks.
How will the Conservancy be structured?
Final decisions about the operational structure haven’t been made, but it is expected that the new Conservancy will mirror other similar park leadership organizations. It is expected that it will have an executive director, staff members overseeing key operations, and a board of directors to set policy and make critical decisions. For example, there could be persons on staff in charge of maintenance and operations, capital construction, community outreach and fundraising. Additionally, full-time and seasonal groundskeepers could be employed to improve the appearance and maintenance of the park.
