Entrepreneurial Revenue

About this measure: Since 2003, the Parks Division has been maximizing business revenues and exploring other actions that reduce the tax subsidy needed for active recreation facilities.

There are two elements to the Division's business revenues: enterprise/entrepreneurial revenues and user fee revenues. The Division defines enterprise/entrepreneurial revenues to include a myriad of non-traditional activities, ranging from corporate sponsorships and other creative promotions to special facility rentals (such as the Marymoor concert series, Cirque du Soleil, and yurts). These are generated largely as a result of cultivation efforts and partnerships established by the Division's staff. User fee revenues represent more traditional recreational activities, such as ballfield usage fees, and are generated according to what the market will bear.

This measure tracks the Division's success in reaching its goal, as established in the 2003 Parks Business Plan, of increasing entrepreneurial revenue 5% each year from an established baseline.

2008 results
User fees $2,450,000
Entrepreneurial/Enterprise $2,660,000
Total: $5,110,000

2008 target
User fees: $2,415,000
Entrepreneurial/Enterprise: $2,415,000
Total: $4,830,000

2009 target
User fees: $2,535,000
Entrepreneurial/Enterprise: $2,535,000
Total: $5,070,000

Influencing factors: In 2008, several major special events, such as the Cirque du Soleil and the Concerts at Marymoor series, generated significant revenue for the Division.

• The successful return of Cirque du Soleil, which generated approximately $700,000 from parking fees and facility rentals.
• A full summer line-up for the Concerts at Marymoor series, where the 21 concerts and implementation of a new $5.00 per car parking fee resulted in $480,000 in revenue.

The Division launched a new partnership with Whole Foods Market called "5% for Parks Day" during the summer of 2008, generating $20,000 in revenue. Two area stores participated in the July day and two for the August day, with each store contributing 5 percent of its daily sales to support the Division's operations and maintenance through the King County Parks Legacy Fund.

Other major partnerships from 2008 include:

• Movies@Marymoor event sponsorship from Nintendo DS
• Installation of a third reflexology path, sponsored by Aegis Living
• Group Health sponsorship of the Velodrome at Marymoor Park, now in its final year

Strategy going forward: The Division will continue to develop and cultivate corporate, non-profit and community-based partnerships in an effort to increase revenues and leverage "Revenue Enhancement and Opportunity Fund" capital dollars. In addition, the Division will issue an annual Request for Ideas and Proposals to generate new profit centers and lines of business.

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