At our May 30 Luncheon, we had the pleasure of welcoming Cecily Mendie, Certified Parks and Recreation Professional and the Franklin Park Manager at the DowntownDC BID, who stepped in at the last minute after the originally scheduled speaker was sidelined by illness. We’re incredibly grateful for Cecily’s flexibility and expertise.
Cecily delivered a compelling presentation titled “This Park is Expensive: Understanding the True Cost and Value of Operating & Maintaining Green Space.” Drawing on her leadership role in the DowntownDC BID’s management of Franklin Park, she shared insights into the innovative three-way partnership between the National Park Service, the District Government, and the BID.
Franklin Park, a five-acre green oasis in the heart of downtown DC, operates year-round, hosting more than 30 major events annually, all without fences or gates. Cecily broke down this complex park’s operational demands, including maintenance of a historic chlorinated fountain, bioretention ponds, restrooms, large caliper trees, and a children’s garden, among other features. She also detailed the park’s $1.2 million annual budget, the essential funding from public and private sources, and the importance of subject matter expertise and proactive staffing. One of the key takeaways: while outdoor spaces are valuable, maintaining them at a high standard comes with real costs that must be strategically managed.
Cecily’s presentation emphasized how thoughtful planning, sustainable funding, and the right staffing model are crucial to creating urban parks that serve as both community assets and national examples.
We thank Cecily for stepping in and sharing her expertise and this model with LAIGW members.
View the speaker’s presentation by clicking here ➡️: Understanding the True Cost and Value of Operating & Maintaining Green Space
For more information, contact:
Cecily Mendie, CPRP, Franklin Park Manager – cecily@downtowndc.org
For more photos, visit ➡️: May 30 Luncheon Photos
