Guam parks director seeks new grant-writing and planning staff, tighter adopt-a-park rules as DPR shifts to performance-based budget

Director Angel Sublan told the Guam Legislature's oversight committee on March 10 that the Department of Parks and Recreation will shift its FY2027 budget to a performance-based model and is requesting new administrative capacity to secure grants and manage outcomes.

The department is asking the Legislature and budget offices to authorize a program coordinator, planner or grant writer to help capture federal and other grants and to provide strategic planning. "Our FY 2027 strategy is built upon 4 critical pillars," Sublan said, listing data-driven performance metrics, public-safety and resource protection, cultural and natural stewardship, and operational and fiscal accountability. "The bottom line, senators, is that our budget will not be just a request for funds. It will be a performance contract with the people of Guam." (Director Angel Sublan)

Why it matters: DPR told senators it manages 72 parks across the island but currently maintains about 26 directly and has 23 parks under an adopt-a-park program; roughly 23 parks lack regular maintenance. The department said it is tying requests to measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) such as facility utilization, permit volume, mean time to repair, and ranger response times. Sublan gave examples of targets: reducing park ranger average dispatch response from a 22-minute baseline to a 15-minute target and shortening work-order repair times from 14 days to 5 days.

Key requests and proposals: Sublan asked for one or more administrative positions (planner/program coordinator/grant writer) to strengthen grant-seeking and project planning, proposed memoranda of agreement with the Guam Visitors Bureau to extend coverage hours for high-tourism parks such as Ipaw Beach, and urged first-refusal access to usable GSA vehicles to address chronic equipment shortages. He also described a private offer to install CCTV and solar lighting at EPOW and Matapang free of charge in exchange for placing a communications repeater; DPR said it is reviewing legal implications of that MOU.

Adopt-a-park and maintenance: DPR officials said the adopt-a-park program has been revamped and now includes 23 adopted parks; they plan stricter, clearer agreements to hold adoptees accountable for cleaning and routine upkeep. Deputy Director Warren Pelletier told senators some adoptees currently fail to meet expectations and that DPR will include enforcement provisions so the department can charge adoptees for contracted maintenance if the adoptee does not perform.

Restrooms, vandalism and FEMA repairs: Senators pressed DPR about frequent restroom vandalism and closures. DPR said four restroom sites are temporarily closed because of damage (Skate Park, Surfside, Padre Palomo Park and Fisheye), and that Fisheye is under a FEMA obligation for repairs while other sites await FEMA authorization. DPR said contracting out daily cleaning and monitoring may be more reliable than relying solely on volunteers or adoptions in high-traffic locations.

Matapang flooding and property agreements: On Matapang's chronic flooding, DPR said the ponding issue stems from prior development agreements with a hotel and possible sinkhole conditions; responsibility is not solely DPR's and the department has been seeking the original documents and working with other agencies and legal counsel to resolve the matter. DPR described attempts to meet with current hotel owners and noted ownership and litigation issues have complicated negotiations.

Cemetery fees and the public-recreation-services fund: Senators discussed cemetery maintenance and interment fees (which DPR said have not risen in decades). DPR said that interment and pavilion fees are routed into the Public Recreation Services Fund and that the department is pursuing rulemaking to realign fees with current market rates and consider perpetual-care structures.

Budget mechanics and lapsed funds: Sublan told senators DPR does not have "millions" in lapsed funds; lapses cited were on the order of tens or hundreds of thousands and often reflect unfilled vacancies (for example, lifeguard positions that go unfilled because of low pay). DPR said its PBB submission to OFB and BBMR will include the analysis supporting its contracting-versus-hiring and efficiency proposals.

Next steps: Committee members requested DPR provide written performance metrics and reports; the chair said the committee will accept written statements for seven days following the hearing. The hearing was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Quotes: "We are moving away from a check-the-box mentality to a results-oriented operation," Director Angel Sublan said. Deputy Director Warren Pelletier said the adopt-a-park program was revamped and now includes 23 parks and that the department is strengthening agreement terms.

Attribution: Direct quotes and specific proposals come from Director Angel Sublan and Deputy Director Warren Pelletier during the March 10, 2026 oversight hearing of the Committee on Land, Environment, Housing, Agricultural, Parks and Recreation, and Infrastructure. Senator names and questions are attributed to the speaking senators as recorded.

What's next: DPR will submit its PBB materials to the Office of Finance and Budget and to BBMR by the department's stated deadline; legislators signaled support for pursuing authority to lease or enter public-private agreements but noted long-term leases require legislative action.