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Partnerships
BY JOHN HECKER, CPRP Situated on the bluffs of the mighty Mississippi, Quincy is known for its multitude of trees and parks, its diversified architecture and for the spectacular views of the river. Such inspiring scenes also have made the city an attractive place for visitors to stop and rest awhile. While the Quincy Park District's funds and resources are stretched to the limit, the demand for recreational services—and tourism venues—never ceases. To "do more with less," over the years the Quincy Park District has developed and nurtured a series of cooperative agreements with groups whose missions closely parallel that of the park district. The park district owns three unique buildings listed on the National Register of Historical Places: the Quincy Art Center, the Villa Katherine Visitor's Center and the Women's City Club. Each facility is quite different from the others and is leased and managed by individual organizations. "The arrangement really works well for everyone concerned," says Mike Parks, director of parks for the Quincy Park District. "The park district assumes responsibility only for grounds maintenance, while the leasee is responsible for operational expenses including, minor and major maintenance as well as any capital improvements or additions. "The three buildings are both historically and architecturally very significant to our community. Given the high costs associated with maintaining historic structures, the park district would be hard-pressed to keep them up to an acceptable standard." The terms of each lease vary from 10 to 20 years in duration at $1 per year. The organizations leasing each facility are required to provide their own liability insurance at levels established by the park district and name the Quincy Park District as additional insured on their certificates of insurance. If the organization desires to make any alteration to the building, the details of that change must be submitted to and approved by the park district. The details are handled by staff and then submitted to the park board for consideration.
Although each leasee has no ability to build equity in each building, there are advantages to the arrangement. Rarely is there a need for a capital campaign for a building fund, unless the group wants to expand its space in the facility. This frees funds that otherwise might be directed at debt retirement to be used for actual program delivery. The property insurance coverage is paid by the park district and, thus, provides another opportunity for direct service savings. Women's City Club In 1932 a real estate agreement was drawn between the Quincy Boulevard and Park Association (now called the Quincy Park District), a local savings and loan association and the Quincy Women's Club to purchase a circa 1851 home from the Lorenzo Bull family. An initial five-year lease for $1 per year followed between the Park Association and the Women's Club. The Women's City Club, a 501c4 nonprofit organization, continues to manage the facility, providing tours, hosting luncheons, weddings, corporate outings and special events. The furnishing are representative of the era, while still providing the means to host hundreds of annual gatherings. A live-in caretaker resides in the facility and manages the day-to-day affairs of the operation. The Women's City Club mansion is located on a four-acre tract of ground surrounded by a variety of mature trees within the Quincy Historic District. 10 Illinois Parks and Recreation
Quincy Art Center Directly south of the mansion sits the old carriage house, which now is used to house a small portion of the Quincy Art Center. The center is a museum for the visual arts with both traveling and permanent exhibits on display throughout the year. The center is governed by the Quincy Art Club, a 501c4 nonprofit organization. The center provides art shows, guided tours, lectures, films, special events and educational programs. In recent years the Art Club completed a major building addition that more than doubled their space. "All construction contracts are managed by the park district in cooperation with the leasee," says John Hecker, executive director of the Quincy Park District. "Each of our building operators understands the requirements that must be followed regarding public works contracts. We are required to follow the statutes related to bidding, posting and payment of prevailing wages. "Volunteer boards govern each of the organizations that manage these facilities. Sometimes it is their first experience in dealing with the regulations placed on park districts. It is an educational process that is only successful with lots of open communication." Says Julie Nelson, executive director of the Quincy Art Center: "We have a very good working relationship with the park district. Our 'front yard' is maintained by the district and always looks great. Many of our programs utilize the beautiful wooded acreage that the building sits on. Our summer art camps move outside and the park district assists in providing tables, bleachers and the show-mobile portable stage at no charge. "The park district continues to nurture this relationship by emphasizing that we are here to assist their efforts and help them succeed." Villa Katherine Villa Katherine is a magnificent Moorish castle built in 1900 by Quincy resident George Metz on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Metz traveled all over the world and built the castle shortly after his return from Morocco. The structure was fashioned from the style of the Villa Ben Ahben on the Nile and, as you might have surmised, is the only one of its kind along the river. After Metz's death in 1940, the castle fell in disrepair as it was rented out for a number of years. The Quincy Park District purchased the property in 1945 and set about bringing the castle back to its original splendor. Today, the "Friends of the Castle" operate the facility as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. More than 75 volunteers help operate the facility as a visitor center promoting not only the history and restoration of the Villa, but also as a means of distributing information on other educational and cultural attractions in the area. The Villa also hosts weddings and receptions as well as meetings and corporate gatherings. The Quincy Park District staff works closely with each organization to make certain that their organizational needs are being met and that opportunities for joint programming are being maximized. "Each of these organizations has expertise that they bring to the table," says Mike Bruns, director of program services for the park district. "It makes sense for us to work together, avoid duplication, and seek their advice regarding cultural programs within the community. This allows the park district to direct resources in other areas." In addition, the Quincy Park District has been successful in securing grants from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Arts Council and the Historic Preservation Agency. Much of this success directly is attributed to the spirit of cooperation developed through years of effective partnerships widi common goals.
JOHN HECKER, CPRP
May/June 2002 11 |
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