July 6th, 2021
The plan to invest $7.2 million in vital renovations and upgrades to infrastructure, facilities, amenities and roadways within nearly all 22 Monroe County Parks would be the first system-wide project in decades.
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello today announced the Go Outside Monroe – Parks Revitalization Initiative, a key component of his Bring Monroe Back Recovery Agenda.
The initiative would invest $7.2 million in vital renovations and upgrades to facilities, amenities and roadways within nearly all 22 Monroe County parks. The County Executive has submitted a referral authorizing the funding through an amendment to the county’s 2021-2026 Capital Improvement Program and the 2021 Capital Budget to the Monroe County Legislature for review at its upcoming July 13 meeting.
“Our parks are essential public services, places families and individuals can connect with nature, stay healthy and fit and they’re an important part of our overall quality of life,” said County Executive Bello. “For far too long, those in charge ignored basic maintenance in favor of new buildings and ribbon cuttings: but bathrooms aren’t ADA compliant, shelter and lodge roofs are leaking, some facilities have structural issues and the roadways and parking lots are crumbling. I urge the Monroe County Legislature to come together for the good of our community and help make these critical infrastructure improvements to our parks and open spaces so we can continue to Bring Monroe Back – Together.”
“Park attendance and usage is higher than ever now and that’s a trend we expect to continue,” said Parks Director Patrick Meredith. “Unfortunately, many of facilities our county residents enjoy on a daily basis are more than six decades old and in need of serious maintenance and repairs. Making sure all our facilities and parks infrastructure is in good working order has been a back-burner issue for too long. I’m thankful to County Executive Bello for recognizing the importance of parks to our quality of life and helping us develop a plan that addresses these long-standing problems.”
The Go Outside Monroe – Parks Revitalization Initiative was developed after Parks Department staff conducted a comprehensive review of all facilities in order to determine the overall state of the parks. It focuses on preserving and renovating existing facilities and elements within the parks system that are heavily used on a daily basis.
Funding would be allocated as follows:
· Restroom renovations and ADA compliance $2,952,500
improvements
· Roadway, walkway, parking lot and cart path $2,240,000
repaving and resurfacing
· Roofing, gutter and downspout repairs $695,500
· Door, frame, window and hardware replacements $388,000
· Lodge and shelter structural issues $374,000
· Park lighting replacements and upgrades $350,000
· Tennis and pickleball court resurfacing $200,000
“The Go Outside Monroe – Parks Revitalization Initiative would be the first system-wide parks project this county has seen in decades,” added Bello. “Our parks are free and open to everyone, no matter their age or economic status. They offer year-round recreational activities and our lodges and shelters are an affordable way for so many of us to gather for moments of joyous celebration. Our community deserves accessible, comfortable and well-maintained facilities.”
