Part 1 of 2
This report on the Recreation Department budget is divided into two parts. This week’s Part 1 is on participants, budget increases and capital projects, potential wage increases, inclusion of non-Greenbelt participants and uses of the Community Center and other venues. Part 2 will include commercial and utility tax rates, Greenbelt Museum issues, the Tugwell Room and lighting for tennis and volleyball courts.
At the April 22 budget worksession, Councilmembers Amy Knesel, Danielle McKinney, Jenni Pompi, Emmett Jordan, Kristen Weaver and Frankie Fritz and City Manager Josué Salmerón met with senior recreation staff about the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 recreation budget.
Mayor Jordan welcomed Recreation Director Greg Varda; Anne Oudemans, assistant director of Recreation Programs; Andrew Phelan, assistant director of Recreation Operations and Facilities; and Greenbelt Museum Director Megan Searing Young.
Varda described Recreation’s nine sub-budgets: Administration, Arts, Aquatic/Fitness, Museum, Therapeutic Recreation, Community Center, Recreation Centers, Recreation Programs and Special Events. Proposed expenditures are slightly under $9 million (around $2 million for Parks, managed by Public Works) with revenue of slightly over $2 million.
The FY 2027 budget includes a 2 percent cost of living increase, partial funding of Learn 2 Earn and expanded Arts offerings in Greenbelt West. Planned capital projects include ballfield improvements, Greenbelt Station and Buddy Attick Park amenities and preparations for the Springhill Lake Recreation Center (SLRC) addition.
Challenges include minimum wage increases from $15.00 to $15.30, susceptible to county increases each year, complicating planning. Also, according to the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System, after 500 hours per year workers may be entitled to Maryland or city benefits. Summer camp staff can work 300 to 400 hours and could exceed 500 by working during the school year.
Jordan observed that with more employees than other city departments, Recreation’s budget reflects personnel costs. Varda said with 23 full-time employees, Recreation is fully staffed with no plans to add positions in FY 2027. However, with six employees having 25 to 30 years of service, transitions must be anticipated.
Recognition Groups, Others
McKinney asked how much space and time are used by recognition groups. Varda said that 2,143 hours of free space were used, with a value of $67,000, and rental income can be missed because the spaces are unavailable. Varda added that all available space in city facilities is filled by recognition groups, community organizations, department programs and rentals. He surveyed the spaces and schedules before the meeting, and confirmed every place, indoor and outdoor, was completely packed.
Nonresident Participants
Pompi noted that 38 percent of summer campers are nonresidents, so more funding should come from county Park and Planning. Varda said the programs need nonresidents so he is proud that many come to Greenbelt.
Weaver asked if nonresident percentages have changed. Oudemans said program growth has been consistent, but may not continue given time and space limitations. While virtually all programs have nonresident participants, some fill with residents before nonresident registration opens; expanded accommodation depends on time and space available. She praised council’s motivation for more county funding for programs but also emphasized nonresident use of Greenbelt’s parks.
Jordan noted flat revenues and asked, given Greenbelt’s fantastic programs, if fees should be raised for nonresidents. Varda answered that summer camp fees are generally kept at a 15 percent spread between residents and nonresidents. Nonresidents have choices, and the county and other municipalities charge less. To stay competitive is threading a needle: unfilled spaces represent lost revenue. Oudemans added that programming in Greenbelt West is subsidized to serve that community. In fact, free programming has increased throughout Greenbelt to serve everyone, including those with less disposable income.
SLRC Increase
McKinney, noting more programming at SLRC and seeing an increase projected for FY 2027, asked for specific numbers and targets. Oudemans referred to Active Aging and preschool programs. SLRC started opening at 10 a.m. on weekdays, convenient for active aging and preschoolers. SLRC’s vibrant after-school program now includes art instruction three times a week.
Greenbelt East Programs
Jordan asked about programs at Schrom Hills Park and Oudemans referred to her report on that facility, where small buildings limit indoor programming. Popular offerings include Summer Teen Extreme, raku ceramics and Fall Fest. Community groups like CHEARS, The SPACE, Boys and Girls Club, Little League, Greenbelt Baseball, Greenbelt Soccer and RUAK use the park. The renovated ball field features community open play and reserved games, with city Park Rangers providing supervision, and more activities would be possible with more funding. Salmerón praised Recreation’s well-prepared plan, regretting funding was not available in the budget.
Weaver asked for possibilities, if more funding were found. For Schrom Hills, Varda estimated $26,000 for staff, monitoring and open hours in the recreation room. For augmenting Learn 2 Earn, Oudemans estimated $32,000 to $36,000. Seeking other Greenbelt East venues, Oudemans reported visiting HOAs and management at various developments, saying their focus solely on their own residents made collaboration seem problematic.
Community Center
Jordan praised the activity screen in the Community Center, asking if that information could appear on the city’s website. Varda explained that different software would inhibit a seamless connection. However, the public information officer is investigating linking calendars, cancellations and registrations. Customers with a recreation account, Salmerón added, can log on and see the calendar.
Jordan asked about the commercial kitchen. Varda said rentals are promoted, but there are challenges. County licensing and permitting discourages many potential renters and (as Phelan noted) burdens small business owners. Also caterers sometimes need early morning access outside operating hours, though accommodation might be possible.
Pompi suggested that Greenbelt might help with permitting and Salmerón said he was working on this with the county. An upcoming food handling class in the kitchen is nearly full, facilitating the first step of permitting.
Other Programs
McKinney expressed appreciation for the successful workforce development program for Greenbelt residents.
Jordan asked about ADA and accessibility improvements, especially at the Aquatic & Fitness Center. Phelan described requested adjustments to fitness equipment, a water wheelchair and a lift for the outdoor pool. All recreation buildings and projects are monitored for compliance, Varda said, describing accessibility elements of the Braden Field upgrade. Salmerón added that elevator repairs are proceeding as funding becomes available. Inclusion staff and new technologies meet individual needs.
