How can cities find dedicated revenue streams and financing tools for parks that address equitable access and amenities? Atlanta will share the story of its recently doubled dedicated parks millage rate that establishes a recurring annual funding stream exclusively for parks and recreation maintenance, repair, safety, and strategic improvements. Houston, meanwhile, will share the story of its partnerships with local Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ), hyper-local entities focused on driving development, improving infrastructure, and enriching neighborhoods.
Atlanta’s historic investment is not only reshaping the capacity of its Department of Parks and Recreation but also setting a precedent for how local governments can pair long-term financial planning with an equity-centered, community-informed approach to operations and service delivery. This panel will explore the origin, structure, and impact of this transformational funding increase, with a particular focus on how the spending plan was developed to directly address disparities in service levels and access across the city’s diverse neighborhoods. Importantly, this milestone was made possible by years of consistent advocacy from community members, partners, and stakeholders who showed up, spoke out, and helped make the case to City Council that Atlantans wanted – and needed – dedicated funding to maintain and improve their parks and recreation system.
Spanning 640 square miles, Houston is the 4th largest city in the U.S., with a population of 2.3 million. Celebrated for its diversity, the city is home to residents speaking over 145 languages. Alongside its rich culture, Houston boasts an expansive parks system, featuring 382 developed parks and 167 green spaces, covering a total of 38,486 acres. Houston Parks and Recreation Department’s partnership with The Gulfgate Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 8, which serves a diverse and economically disadvantaged area anchored by William P. Hobby Airport is working to revitalize all 12 city parks within the TIRZ boundary. This ambitious master plan aims to address park inequities by improving access and proximity to green spaces for underserved communities.
This session offers an inside look at how Atlanta is turning a rare fiscal opportunity into long-term transformation – with advocacy, equity, and community at the center. It will also explore how partnerships are transforming Houston’s local parks, elevating its overall park system, and bringing a strategic master plan to life.
