Parks Master Plan
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The Skinny: Fresno is in sunny California. Fresno’s half-million residents should be outdoors having fun nearly 24/7. But we’re not. A dearth of green space, particularly in certain neighborhoods, is part of the problem. This plan is still in the public-outreach stage. It’s not too late to add your thoughts.
The Rundown: “The City Council has budgeted $450,000 for an updated Parks Master Plan. The Parks Master Plan should consider the history of parks within the community, land used patterns, changing demographics, in order to develop a Parks Master Plan that can be used to address future issues. For example, there are areas within the community in which access to green space is lacking. The construction of State Routes 41, 180, and 168 have also bisected many older neighborhoods making it difficult for residents to access the parks and/or trails that are available.” (Source: City of Fresno announcement seeking consultants to help write the plan.)
The Pledge: “A joint use agreement with the school districts will dramatically improve access to green space in park deserts throughout the City, which is good for our community. Any opportunity to find more ways to engage neighborhood residents and build a sense of community that goes beyond just the four walls of a classroom is good for our school districts and good for our city.” – Mayor Ashley Swearengin, Dec. 14, 2015, on the deal between City Hall and local school districts to open campus playgrounds to public use – one of many mayoral/city council efforts to add green space. (Source: City of Fresno)
The City of Fresno is the 5th largest City in the State of California and has an annual Budget of almost a billion dollars, with approximately 4,000 employees, and does NOT have an Internal Audit Unit to ensure the proper accounting, internal controls and safeguarding of all City Assets are in place and functioning as intended. As the retired Principal Internal Auditor for the City of Fresno, effective January 2016, this area should be of significance to the City and newly elected Mayor and all Council Members. All the top ten Cities in the State of California, except the City of Fresno, have an Internal Audit Unit. For the structure, benefits and type of Internal Audits performed by the Internal Audit Unit I oversaw while employed with the City, I reference all viewers of this comment to the City’s Administrative Order 1-10. I would hope that this significant area of concern and importance might be #11 on the Mayor’s Listing going forward. Thank You!