Logo courtesy of the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - At the Sept. 19 meeting of the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District (FORPD) Board of Directors, District Administrator Aaron Robertson announced the 50-year anniversary of the National Landmark Designation for two areas of Fair Oaks: The American River Bluffs and Phoenix Park Vernal Pools. 

“Tonight we have the privilege of celebrating a really remarkable milestone in our community’s national heritage,” said Robertson. He quoted the original letter issued by the National Park Service in 1976: “This landmark stands as a testament to the unique ecological, biological, historical value of the land that we’re entrusted to protect.”

Robertson also announced that the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD) and the California Association of Park and Recreation Insurance (CAPRI) have selected FORPD to receive the Outstanding Renovated Facility Award for Village Park. 

This is “a major achievement and a point of pride for our district,” said Robertson. 

Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District sent a notice of congratulations, stating, “Breathing new life into an existing space requires an exceptional amount of vision, creativity, and dedication. The statewide recognition is a clear testament to your team’s hard work and commitment to transforming the community asset into a modern, vibrant, successful hub for Fair Oaks residents.”

The board received and filed the 90-Day District Administrator Assessment, which Robertson created during his first months in this role. 

The assessment looked at the operational, financial and administrative health of the district, through field inspections, financial data analysis, dialogues with staff, and engagement with regional partners and stakeholders.

The report highlights a backlog in necessary capital improvement projects and lack of funding for ongoing maintenance of irrigation, parking lots, etc. Robertson also identified structural fragmentation across various departments, with shared services like marketing, venue rentals and registration handled by different divisions or across multiple positions. Robertson identified this as an opportunity to work toward more streamlined operations through a comprehensive restructuring. 

The report focused on strategic direction, an implementation roadmap and immediate policy actions.

Director Delinda Tamagni thanked Robertson for putting together the report and “identifying not only the different challenges, but also providing some action plans.” 

The board also considered the initial concept for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Fair Oaks Recreation and Arts Foundation. 

Until recently, the board of directors also acted as the board of this fundraising group, but they have shifted the foundation to a separate entity with two board members holding seats on the new foundation board. 

These two entities will now operate independently, with a shared commitment to enhancing parks, recreation programs and performing arts within Fair Oaks. The MOU creates an official framework, outlining the administrative, financial, operational and legal relationship between FORPD and the foundation. 

The MOU requires separation of bank accounts, accounting systems and financial records; outlines foundation grant contributions to FORPD; and guides opportunities for FORPD staff to provide limited, temporary support for foundation events, if approved by the district administrator. 

Approval of the MOU does not impact the district’s general fund.  

The MOU concept was approved 4-0 by the board, with Director Manuel Lavalle absent. 

The next meeting of the FORPD Board of Directors is scheduled for Oct. 21.