Title
Report and Recommendation on Reimagined Community Events
Body
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Recreation and Park Commission
From: Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Re: Report and Recommendation on Reimagined Community Events
BACKGROUND
The Alameda Recreation and Parks Department (ARPD) has a long history of providing community events, many of which have been in place for decades with the longest running event being the 108th Alameda City Tennis Tournament this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all community events were cancelled in 2020 and only a few smaller events are returning in 2021. As we look toward bringing back large community events in 2022, it is also a unique opportunity to reimagine ARPD sponsored community events and consider what is working well and what can change. Additionally, the Alameda community is now reflecting deeply on its values of inclusion, diversity and equity and our community events must be envisioned and implemented in ways that embrace, celebrate and raise up all cultures and people in our community.
DISCUSSION
The Reimagined ARPD Community Events (Exhibit 1) lists "Primary Events" and "Secondary Events." The Primary Events are large in scale and scope and require a significant amount of staff time and larger budgets. These events generally draw thousands of attendees. The Secondary Events are smaller in scope with either a smaller amount of staff resources to coordinate and/or in collaboration with an external organization that is managing most of the event coordination.
The Sandcastle and Sandscultpure Contest is recommended to remain in its existing configuration. This is a well-loved, uniquely Alamedan event with large attendance each year. This event is co-sponsored by the East Bay Regional Park District and Bayview Women's Club.
The Starlight Movies in the Park, co-sponsored by the Alameda Friends of the Parks Foundation, is recommended to remain with an expansion of the eve...
Click here for full text