Garland Parks and Recreation
1.0 - Agency Authority, Role, and Responsibility
NOTE: Standards marked with a star (*) are fundamental standards and are required of all agencies seeking accreditation.
Delineation of jurisdiction and authority are the foundation upon which the park and recreation agency is organized. Policy and rule-making functions and the development of procedures to implement policy create the organizational framework. The mission establishes the organizational purpose, and goals and objectives establish the strategic direction. Organization values affect how the agency through its leadership and staff relate to other governing bodies, agencies, organizations and how it incorporates input from citizens and staff.
Standard: The source of agency authority or legal basis of operation and the extent of powers shall be identified in a legal document such as the state statute, local charter, city ordinance, or park district code.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide legal citation and, if appropriate, date of resolution by local governing entity or legal authority (i.e., enabling act, support documentation, ordinance; if permissive state authority, provide charter).
Narrative: The City of Garland, operating under a Home Rule status, holds the authority to adopt and amend its City Charter within the framework of the Civil Statutes of the State of Texas (Article XI, Section 5). Adopted on October 16, 1951, the Charter establishes a council-manager system of government. It includes key elements such as the definition of city boundaries, the general powers of the City of Garland, and the delineation of powers vested in the City Council and other appointed officials, including the City Manager.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
1.1 EOC 2 Civil Statutes of the State of Texas (Article XI, Section 5)
1.1 EOC 3 General Powers of City
Standard: The agency organizational structure shall provide for one public entity responsible for policy-making functions. This entity usually has taxing power and must approve the budget; it holds title to property. It also serves an important function in providing input to improve and expand park and recreation programs, services, and facilities.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide a chart or diagram and narrative description of the organizational structure, interrelationship of organizational components and powers of authority over policymaking; show the relationship of the agency to its approving authority and provide the approving authority bylaws or charter.
Narrative: The City of Garland organization chart operates under a council-manager government system, where the City Council holds full authority over policy decisions per Article IV, Sec 1 of the Home Rule Charter. According to the Home Rule Charter, the Council's duties involve appointing officials, sanctioning budgets, formulating policies, and enacting laws and ordinances. The City Manager, responsible for law enforcement and city administration, ensures the effective implementation of these policies and directives. This governance model maintains a clear separation between legislative functions and administrative execution.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
1.1.1 EOC 1 Organization ChartStandard: There shall be citizen boards/committees that are advisory to the agency and the approving authority that appoints them. Advisory boards engage the community and serve as advocates for the advancement of programs, facilities, and services.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide list of formal and ad-hoc boards/committees with membership, authority, responsibilities and duties, terms of office, meeting minutes.
Narrative: Garland Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) actively engages with the Parks and Recreation Board, Tree Board, and the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission to improve services for parks, recreation, and the welfare of senior citizens.
The City Council appoints 9 members to the Parks and Recreation Board who also serve as the Tree Board. These boards take on the responsibility of promoting recreational programs, managing park and open space maintenance, developing recreational facilities, and advising the City Council on policies and regulations found in Chapter 25, Article II of the City of Garland Code of Ordinances.
Similarly, the City Council appoints 9 members to the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission, whose main duty is to promote awareness and advocate for senior citizens' welfare in the City of Garland, as detailed in Chapter 10, Article III, Sec. 34.
The City of Garland makes agendas and minutes available for public review on its official website.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
1.1.2 EOC 1 Parks and Recreation Board
1.1.2 EOC 2 Chapter 25, Article II Parks and Recreation Board and Tree Board1.1.2 EOC 3 Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
1.1.2 EOC 4 Chapter 10, Article III, Sec. 34 Senior Advisory Commission
1.1.2 EOC 5 Parks and Recreation Board Agenda
1.1.2 EOC 6 Parks and Recreation Board Minutes
1.1.2 EOC 7 Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Agenda
1.1.2 EOC 8 Senior Citizens Advisory Commission MinutesStandard: All documents designated for periodic review shall be reviewed on a regular basis according to an established agency review schedule. For example, if the agency has determined that a document should be reviewed annually, the agency shall provide evidence that the document is reviewed annually and include a copy of the most recent annual review. Several standards in the accreditation process require that adopted plans, policies and procedures be reviewed and updated at various intervals. In those cases, the agency shall provide evidence that the document was reviewed and updated pursuant to the period specified in the standard.
Standards with a review requirement are:
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1.4.1 Agency Goals and Objectives
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1.6.1 Administrative Policies and Procedures
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2.4 Park and Recreation System Master Plan
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2.5 Strategic Plan
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3.4.2 Community Relations Plan
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3.4.3 Marketing Plan
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3.6 Records Management Policy and Procedures
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3.6.1 Records Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Plan and Procedures
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4.1 Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual
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4.1.2 Recruitment Process
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4.1.8 Compensation Plan
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4.3 Job Analyses for Job Descriptions
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4.5 Workforce Health and Wellness Program
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4.6.1 Employee Training and Development Program
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5.1.1 Comprehensive Revenue Policy
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6.1 Recreation Programming Plan
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6.2 Program Objectives
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6.4 Community Education for Leisure Process
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7.1 Parkland Acquisition Procedures
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7.2 Area and Facilities Development Policies and Procedures
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7.5 Maintenance and Operations Management Standards
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7.5.1 Facility Legal Requirements
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7.9.1 Recycling and/or Zero Waste Plan
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8.5 General Security Plan
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8.6.2 Emergency Risk Communications Plan and Procedures
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9.1.1 Risk Management Plan and Procedures
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10.4 Needs Assessment
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10.5.1 Recreation and Leisure Trends Analysis
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide the agency review schedule for the document, program, policy, or procedure referenced in the enumerated standards.
Narrative: PARD regularly reviews documents according to the matrix.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
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Standard: All documents designated for approval by the appropriate approving authority shall be approved or adopted in a manner consistent with the agency process and procedure for adoption of policies, rules, regulations, and operational procedures, except that the agency budget and park and recreation system master plan must be adopted or approved by the entity responsible for policymaking.
Standards with an adoption or approval requirement are:
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1.5 Vision
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2.3.1 Community Comprehensive Plan with Park and Recreation Component
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2.4 Park and Recreation System Master Plan
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2.5 Strategic Plan
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2.10 ADA Transition Plan
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3.4 Public Information Policy and Procedure
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4.4.1 Leadership Succession Procedure
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5.4 Annual or Biennial Budget
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8.1 Codes, Laws, and Ordinances
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9.1 Risk Management Policy
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9.1.1 Risk Management Plan and Procedures
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide documentation that the agency budget and park and recreation system master plan have been duly adopted or approved by the entity responsible for policymaking and that other documents designated for approval by the appropriate approving authority have been approved in a manner consistent with the agency process and procedure for approval of policies, rules, regulations, and operational procedures.
Narrative: PARD regularly reviews documents according to the matrix.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
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Standard: The specific geographical boundaries of the agency's jurisdiction shall be set forth by geographical description and map.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide the most recent map of the geographical boundaries of agency jurisdiction, service areas, and location of facilities.
Narrative: The sectors map identifies the geographical boundaries and council sectors of the City of Garland. On the website, users can find a comprehensive listing of parks and various map options, including facilities like pavilions, pools, recreation centers, senior centers, tennis courts, and trails. Detailed service area maps, like the Aquatics Service Areas, for different park amenities are provided in the Master Plan.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
1.3 EOC 1 Sectors Map
1.3 EOC 2 Comprehensive Facility Listing
1.3 EOC 3 Aquatic Service Areas MapStandard: There shall be an established mission statement that defines the direction and purpose of the agency. The agency mission is the purpose or reason for the existence of the agency and establishes the long-term direction for the agency services and activities.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide the established mission statement.
Narrative: PARD’s mission is to “Create dynamic experiences through parks, arts, and play.” The department's leadership team regularly reviews this mission statement, which the City Council adopted as part of the Strategic Master Plan in 2020.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
1.4 EOC 1 Mission Statement
1.4 EOC 2 Strategic Master Plan 6.2.3Standard: There shall be established, measurable goals and objectives for the agency and for each organizational component within the agency. Such goals and objectives shall be directed toward accomplishing the agency mission, be reviewed periodically, and distributed to all appropriate personnel.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide the measurable goals and objectives for each organizational component, with evidence of periodic review and distribution.
Narrative: PARD achieves its strategic initiatives through a comprehensive Master Plan, which serves as the foundation for realizing our long-term vision, mission, and values. Department leadership annually reviews these initiatives and develops detailed annual work plans for each division. These plans are communicated to all staff members through leadership and divisional meetings, ensuring consistency and a shared understanding of our goals.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
1.4.1 EOC 1 Strategic Initiatives
1.4.1 EOC 2 Recreation Division Work Plan
1.4.1 EOC 3 Parks Division Work Plan
1.4.1 EOC 4 Outlook Calendar Recreation Work Plan Appointment1.4.1 EOC 5 PARD Leadership Annual Work Plan Update - Outlook Invite
1.4.1 EOC 6 Recreation Outlook Invite Q1
1.4.1 EOC 7 Recreation Outlook Invite Q3
1.4.1 EOC 8 Park Operations Staff Meeting Agenda
Standard: The agency shall have an established process for acquiring and considering input from personnel at various levels of the organization in the development of goals and objectives.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide examples of the methods utilized to obtain input from personnel at various levels of the organization (e.g., surveys, focus groups, etc.) and how the organization’s goals and objectives are communicated to all personnel.
Narrative: The City of Garland employs an inclusive process to gather staff input and communicate organizational goals. Through the Center Stage program, the City Manager meets monthly with employees from various levels and departments to obtain feedback and foster collaboration. Additionally, monthly Directors Meetings, PARD Leadership Team Meetings and Special Event Coordination Meetings allows staff at various levels to provide opportunities for communication and coordination of agency goals and objectives.
Communication is further enhanced through COGnotes, a weekly email sent to all employees, containing important information, links to employee programs and services, and departmental highlights. The City Manager also sends video updates to all employees on major initiatives. Exemplifying the City Manager’s proactive approach, the Team Garland Ambassadors program involves all full-time employees to gather feedback on benefits.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
1.4.2 EOC 3 PARD Leadership Team Meetings
1.4.2 EOC 4 Special Event Coordination MeetingsStandard: The agency shall provide an adopted Vision Statement that is aspirational, far reaching, and states where the agency is going. It should be available to the approving authority, staff, and participants.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide evidence of adopted Vision statement that is available to the approving authority, staff, and participants.
Narrative: The vision statement for PARD is "Inspire people to live, work, play, and thrive in Garland!" The Department's leadership team regularly reviews the vision statement, which the City Council adopted as part of the Strategic Master Plan in 2020.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
1.5 EOC 1 Strategic Master Plan 6.3.3
Standard: There shall be delegation of responsibilities for the policy-making functions of the approving authority and the administrative functions of the chief administrator and staff.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Show delegation of responsibilities among approving authority, chief administrator, and staff regarding development and implementation of policies, rules, regulations, and operational procedures.
Narrative: The City Council establishes the Code of Ordinances governing the City of Garland. This code includes the 1951 Code, supplemented through May 2018, along with ordinances subsequently adopted by the City Council. Chapter 25 of the Code of Ordinances specifically pertains to Parks and Recreation.
The Department delegates responsibilities for developing and implementing policies, rules, regulations, and operational procedures as follows:
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The City Manager’s Office and Human Resources (HR) establish City of Garland Directives.
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The Assistant City Manager or Designee establishes Parks and Recreation Policies and Procedures.
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Management staff establish Parks Operations’ Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), with final approval by the Parks Director.
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Management staff establish Recreation SOPs, with final approval by the Recreation Director.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
1.6 EOC 1 Code of Ordinances
1.6 EOC 2 Parks and Recreation Chapter 25
1.6 EOC 3 City of Garland Directives-
Standard: There shall be policies and procedures, encompassing administrative aspects of the organization that are kept up-to date, reviewed periodically, and made available to pertinent administrative and supervisory personnel.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide access to the agency policies and procedures, demonstrate how they are made available to personnel, and provide evidence of periodic review by the approving authority and administrators.
Narrative: PARD's administrative policies and procedures, reviewed annually, follow the City of Garland's directives, available on the City’s intranet (COGnet) site. Additionally, the department organizes its specific policies, procedures, and relevant information in folders on the City’s Teams site. This organization makes these resources readily available to all Parks and Recreation employees, ensuring comprehensive access to both city-wide and department-specific operational guidelines for the staff.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
1.6.1 EOC 1 PARD Policies and Procedures Teams
1.6.1 EOC 2 Recreation SOP
1.6.1 EOC 3 Park Operations SOPStandard: There shall be ongoing liaison roles with complementary organizations, such as nearby park and recreation agencies, social service organizations, and other governmental units and regulatory bodies.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide evidence of cooperative efforts, including a list of staff with liaison responsibility. This information may be evidenced through Memoranda of Agreement, Memoranda of Understanding, Cooperative Agreements, etc.
Narrative: PARD proactively engages in meaningful partnerships to enhance offerings and services.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
1.7 EOC 1 Agency Relationship
1.7 EOC 2 Texas Interlocal Cooperation Act
1.7 EOC 3 Waterpark Groundlease and Operating Agreement
1.7 EOC 4 Facility Use Agreement
1.7 EOC 5 Park Foundation
1.7 EOC 6 Open Space AgreementStandard: There shall be established agreements with other agencies, organizations, or individuals that entail cooperative use and maintenance of facilities, programing, facility design, land development, finances, etc.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide examples of cooperative agreements.
Narrative: Cooperative agreements enhance the Garland community by fostering the cooperative use and maintenance of facilities, programming, and other collaborative efforts.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
1.7.1 EOC 1 Spring Creek Forest Park Preserve
1.7.1 EOC 2 Waterpark Groundlease And Operating Agreement
1.7.1 EOC 3 EBJ Cattle Adopt-a-Program
1.7.1 EOC 4 Open Space Use Agreement Cooper Tract