the power of leadership and partnerships derrick crandall
TRANSCRIPT
Recreation and the National Scene
The Power of Leadership and Partnerships
Derrick Crandall
A Nation Sharply DividedA Nation With ConcernsA Nation Not Ready to Give Up
The 2012 US Elections Showed
Focus in Washington …
Getting more people to parks and the Great Outdoors is in 2012 Democratic Party Platform – a first
Jobs, and especially private sector jobs, are a focus of the White House and the Congress
Recreation and the public lands is finally appreciated as an economic engine
Tourism = Administration’s “sweetspot.” Brand USA/international tourism is the focus of this enthusiasm. White House says tourism job growth tops rate of any other nation
We Have Really Valuable Assets
$1+trillion per annum federal deficits will squeeze general appropriations for the FS, other agencies for years
No easy fixes – tax reform will hurt somebody, and recreation benefits are at risk … from second home mortgage deductions to conservation easements and more
We Must Acknowlege, Help Solve National Challenges
White House knows who reelected the President. First Read from NBC News observed:
“The white portion of the electorate dropped to 72%, and the president won just 39% of that vote. But he carried a whopping 93% of black voters (… 13% of the electorate), 71% of Latinos (… 10%), and also 73% of Asians (3%). … despite all the predictions that youth turnout would be down, voters 18-29 made up 19% of last night's voting population -- up from 18% four years ago -- and President Obama took 60% from that group.”
We Must Be Aware
FLREA – December 2014 sunset FS Recreation Program Reinvention NPS and 2016: The Game is Changing MAP 21 and Its Successor – Penny for Parks? Healthcare: $3 Trillion Per Year (and growing!)
Challenge and How We Can Help Research on Today’s and Tomorrow’s Markets Lodging/Tourism Taxes Tapping Federal to State Funding Programs, Like
RTP and SFRBSA ($1+ billion annually!) Great Outdoors Month, National Get Outdoors
Day and More
Opportunities
Resolving Political Problems – fees in wrong places, fees displacing appropriations, more
Disconnect Between Fee Program, Key Goals Primary Fee Beneficiaries Are Seniors Too Inflexible The Active Duty Military Opportunity –
Working With Base MWR Programs US Army Corps Involvement, Regional Passes,
Added Value for America the Beautiful Pass
FLREA
Should the senior pass be revised? Should its cost move to $80 for a lifetime pass? Should the age for eligibility be raised, and if so, to what age? Should discounts on campsites for seniors be changed from 50% to 25% or 10%?
Should we provide a new free, or reduced-cost America the Beautiful Pass for those below the poverty level?
Should the National Park Service be allowed to benefit from a premium, multiple-year Centennial Park Pass?
Should we collect and retain addresses of America the Beautiful Pass purchasers and pursue renewals via email and direct mail?
Should national park entrance fees to revised to end subsidies for multiple-day stays?
Should the USA, like Canada, provide all youth of a certain age with a free park pass to encourage park visits?
Should we encourage earning passes to recreation sites with entrance fees through volunteer work at non-fee units to address the rich park/poor park dichotomy resulting from 80% fee retention at collection sites?
Should FLREA require inclusion of search-and-rescue insurance in backcountry permit costs, with discounts for training, locator beacon use?
Should FLREA’s successor require more efficient and convenient collection of fees through E-ZPass and PayPal technologies?
Should Purple Heart recipients be automatically eligible for free access
FLREA – Grand Thoughts Questions
Champion in USDA Under Secretary Harris Sherman – a believer in innovation and partnerships
Some times you need to stop doing what you are doing ... Beating the treadmill syndrome
Defining Priorities – Including Near-Urban
Authorities We Have, Authorities We Need, and Lessons Learned (or should have!)
The Power of Pilots
FS Recreation Program Reinvention
We already have world-class recreation in national forests, including world-class skiing
We have the opportunity to also have world-class recreation …◦At campgrounds◦At marinas◦And more!
Our Goal --
Makeovers of existing campgrounds – worn out, 1950’s era design, maintenance backlog
Makeovers of existing marinas New national forest recreation centers,
often using existing, enlarged campgrounds In-season storage options to reduce fuel
use, boost safety, reduce emissions and add convenience for boaters and RVers
New cooperative programs with DMOs Expanded use of conservation corps
Six Categories of Pilots
The Game is Changing NPS Launches Multi-Year, Multi-Million Dollar Promotion Campaign
Expansion of Visitor Services, Including Better Campgrounds, New Lodges, Cell and Internet Service
Rewarding Concessioners for Excellent Operations
Synergies From NPS, 2016
Funding Forest Roads Is a Recreation Priority
Solving the Access Problems of Today, Getting People to National Forests Tomorrow
Penny for Parks?
MAP 21 and Its Successor
21% Of GDP And Climbing – And Fastest Growth Is In The 70% Linked To Chronic Illnesses Which Are Lifestyle Induced
Lots to Lose – the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Warning
Park Prescriptions – Docs Embrace Fun Healthy Parks Healthy People 2014
Healthcare: $3 Trillion Per Year (growing!) Challenge and How We Can Help
Research on Today’s and Tomorrow’s Markets◦ Meetings Magazine Study:
1) Gen Y resents being asked to disconnect. 2) Apps are a given. 3) Attendee [visitor] expectations will continue to
grow. 4) Ambient intelligence will know what you want Lodging/Tourism Taxes Tapping into Federal to State Funding, Like
RTP and SFRBSA ($1 billion annually!) Great Outdoors Month, National Get Outdoors
Day and More
And More
Forward By Plan, Not By Crisis
Politicians of Every Shape Love to Lead Parades. We Need To Organize our Parade
The Bottom Line is …
Derrick Crandall, PresidentAmerican Recreation Coalition1225 New York Avenue, NW Suite 450Washington, DC 20005202-682-9530, [email protected]