DC-NPS Parks, Open Space & Recreation Areas Roundtable Re-visiting the idea: Summary of Responses October 5, 2005

DC-NPS Parks, Open Space & Recreation Areas Roundtable

Re-visiting the idea: Summary of Responses

October 5, 2005

Glenn Eugster

DC and NPS leaders were asked to take a minute and indicate how they feel about the idea of continuing the quarterly DC-NPS Parks, Open Space and Recreation Areas Roundtable Meetings.  The responses follow.

DC Parks & Recreation Department

• Ms. Flowers, the Director, is interested in continuing NPS-DPR 

Roundtable discussions and she and Leslie Schill, Ted Pochter’s replacement as liaison to NPS for the Roundtable, would like to discuss some preliminary agenda items and themes.

NPS National Capital Region

• Three regional office managers responded.

• One “ thinks it's an idea (continuing meetings) we should pursue”, but adds,

“I'm a little antsy about the public participation side, however, because they become forums for special interests, i.e. Baltimore house, dog runs, etc.”

• One said, “I think regular meetings with DC Officials can only be 

mutually beneficial, and they are in keeping with how the Director wants us to operate.”

• One said that they support the idea of the meetings but feel that they should be for NPS 

and DC only.

DC NPS Park Superintendents

• Three superintendents responded.

• One said, “I don't have the sense that the stated goals were ever

achieved.  I don't think the meetings were productive.”

• One said, “I think they are still very useful and much needed.”

• One said, “ Since I have not attended the meetings, I do not know 

how productive they have been or what results have emerged.  As a matter of good sense, it would seem important to continue these meetings in some form.  Perhaps twice a year instead of quarterly, if others feel the meetings are coming too often.”