Editor’s note: This letter was mailed in February, announcing a new arrangement for providing senior rides in Fairbanks.
Dear participant, parent or caregiver:
I am writing to you today to let you know about a significant change to the way we offer our high-quality recreation programs. Parks and Recreation is excited to announce that we are partnering with Van Tran’s paratransit program, which will begin providing the transportation element of the Adaptive and Senior Recreation Programs, beginning April 3, 2017.
Why are we making this change?
The Borough is committed to providing the highest level of service in whatever we do, and we want to focus our efforts on our organizational strengths.
• For Parks and Recreation, our expertise is on providing excellent recreation programs.
• For Van Tran, it is providing excellent transportation to the residents of the borough.
It only makes sense to change the way we offer our services, to offer the best service to you.
What does this mean for you?
Parks and Recreation will continue to offer our programs. In fact, we anticipate being able to expand our offerings in the near future. Instead of our Adaptive and Senior staff picking you up and dropping you off, it will now be the smiling, friendly Van Tran drivers. Our staff will meet you at the program. The Borough will continue to offer transportation to and from Parks and Recreation Programs at no additional cost to the participants.
What needs to happen now?
Anyone who is not signed up for Van Tran services will need to do so. Even though the program rides will be free, all participants need to be registered with Van Tran. There is an application and interview needed through the Van Tran program. Parks and Recreation has scheduled several special times during our regular programs in March, in which Van Tran staff will be on-hand to assist in the application process. These dates and locations are in the March/April newsletters of the department senior program, Golden Age Gazette.
Parks and Recreation is excited by this change, as we know it will result in better programs for you, shorter ride times to and from programs, and it will allow us to expand our program offerings in the future. If you have any questions as we make this transition, please do not hesitate to contact me at staylor@fnsb.us or call 459-1068.
Steve Taylor is the recreation superintendent for the Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and Recreation Dept.
