The Albany Parks & Recreation Foundation (APRF) was created in 2016 to provide financial support for the projects and programs of the City of Albany’s parks and recreation services. APRF is governed by a self-appointed board of directors. Although APRF operates primarily to support the Albany Parks & Recreation Department (APRD), it is wholly independent of the City of Albany. The APRF board is exclusively responsible for the management and disbursement of monetary gifts. Donations may be made toward established projects and programs or designated by donors for a unique purpose.
The APRF may also receive and manage grant funds from other private entities on behalf of the City of Albany programs and capital projects.
Why is APRF Needed?
The Albany Parks & Recreation Department manages almost 900 acres of public space (parks, trails, corridors) and cares for over 14,000 trees through its urban forestry program.In a typical year, the department provides over 550 recreation and aquatics programs annually for our community, serving infants to senior citizens. The Department also facilitates the City’s public arts program. River Rhythms, Summer Sounds, and the Northwest Art & Air Festival are Albany’s signature events, attracting over 150,000 visitors each year. APRD is renowned regionally and nationally as a leader among public parks and recreation agencies.
These services are paid for with a blend of property tax revenues, fees for services, grants and gifts of cash and in-kind services by businesses and donors. Albany’s continuing population growth and its corresponding demand for quality parks and services have challenged the Department’s ability to generate sufficient revenues to sustain its services. In addition to the ongoing deficits in operations funding, APRD faces a widening gap in funding for capital improvements and deferred maintenance projects. The impacts of COVID-19 pandemic have dramatically exacerbated these financial constraints and will reduced the department’s revenues over the will be felt in the department for the next several years.
And yet, Albany continues to grow and its citizens continue to seek parks and recreation services. The APRF was created to meet these challenges, and your generous donations through the Foundation will help us do so.