The Parks and Open Space Division is responsible for comprehensive long range planning, and the administration of the Capital Improvement Program to include land acquisition, park master plans, park design and construction. Among other things, this Division is responsible for development of the Comprehensive Parks, Open Space and Recreation Master Plan; the Open Space Plan, the preservation and restoration of historic structures; and the coordination with many other Departments to evaluate and reconfigure open space, tree plantings and civic enhancement for the benefit of Brookline citizens.
Brookline uses a range of funding sources for recreation and open space, design, development, protection and management. Town Meeting approves the annual budget, which includes operational funds for both the Department of Recreation and Division of Parks and Open Space, as well funding individual projects identified in the Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Town staff works continuously on additional sources to support protection, planning and design projects, including Self-Help funds, Urban Self-Help funds and the Land and Water Conservation Fund programs managed by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Division of Conservation Services. Community Development Black Grants administered by the federal government and coordinated by the Town Planning Department support the renovation and improvement of existing Town facilities.
Depending on the nature of the proposed improvements, design and the production of bid packages is accomplished either by Town staff, such as the Division of Parks and Open Space landscape architect or designer and the DPW's Engineering Division staff, or alternatively through contracts with consultants. Proposed improvements are developed through the conceptual design and design development phases within the Park and Recreation Commission's design review process established by Town Meeting in 1990 (Article 3.15, Section 2 under the Park and Recreation Commission). The purpose of the design review process stated in the article is łto ensure that all plans for the substantial construction, alteration or repair of a park or recreation area under the jurisdiction of the Commission respect the historical, cultural, aesthetic, and open space values of the Town and serve the expressed needs of the primary community to be served by the improvement.˛ The Park and Recreation Commission establishes a Design Review Committee consisting of four Commission members and three members from the user community, one of whom is a landscape design professional or member of a relevant profession. The Design Review Committee works closely with the Parks and Open Space Director and the landscape architect to establish the program, develop design solutions, and prioritize the improvements based on public comment and the projected costs through a series of public meetings until consensus is met. When the Design Review Committee has voted approval for the proposed design, the project then goes before the Park and Recreation Commission for their vote at a regularly scheduled Commission meeting. With the Commission's approval in hand, the final bid documents are then prepared.
The design review process allows the neighborhood residents, Park and Recreation Commissioners, and the Parks and Open Space Director and staff to work together to balance the neighborhood needs, overall Town needs, and the Division's maintenance capabilities by considering a broad range of issues. This involves an extensive notification process, including mailings to residents and local Town Meeting members, postings in local newspapers, on the Town's web site, at the park and with the Town Clerk. In addition, priorities for park improvements are developed by the Director of Parks and Open Space, and the Park and Recreation Commission with input from staff and the public.
