Frequently Asked Questions

MOUs work to clarify the relationship and interactions between two entities. The document typically highlights roles, missions, and boundaries of each organization. In many cases, MOUs will outline how the entities will interact, establish a framework for decision-making, and state both mutual goals and values of each entity. MOUs are not legally binding documents. They do not outline any transactional items such as financial or operational agreements due to the fact that they have no binding authority and are more focused on agreed upon values, processes, and approaches.

MOUs outline broad concepts and goals, while MOAs provide more detail such as responsibilities and actions. MOUs outline goals, values, and processes, while MOAs outline specific steps, actions or guidelines for completing a certain project or particular objective. MOUs are not legally binding, while MOAs establish common legal terms, and in some cases can be binding. 

In this case, this MOU highlights the goals of the Friends of Forsyth Conservancy and the City of Savannah. As stated on page 2 of MOUs, the purpose is to “assist in defining the relationship between the Parties in order to ensure that the goals of each are accomplished in a mutually supportive way.” The MOU serves as a framework for both parties on how decisions are made and how they agree to interact with each other. This MOU reinforces the importance of public engagement, City ownership, and common values of equitable access and preservation of Forsyth Park.

No. The MOU reinforces the City’s ownership of the park and final decision-making power in all matters related to this public property. As stated on (page 2, II, C.) of the MOU “The City reserves sole authority to make all final decisions regarding the Park…...”. 

Additionally, the MOU is only a framework document outlining values and decision-making processes and is not legally binding. The MOU does highlight the City’s requirement to “promoting equitable access to Forsyth Park, cognizant of geographic, socioeconomic, demographic, cultural, physical ability and population density realities” (Page 2). It additionally highlights the Friends of Forsyth Conversancy’s values in their bylaws which state “open, democratic decision-making; preservation of the Park’s historic integrity; enhancement of natural areas and environmental sustainability; and access to the Park for a variety of activities to be enjoyed by all.”     

 Public-private partnerships help provide better services and experiences for residents by aligning common missions and funding opportunities without solely and always relying on Savannah’s taxpayers. Additionally, the MOU reinforces the need for continual civic and public engagement, with a focus on diversity of users, equitable access, and transparency. It additionally clarifies that the City remains in complete control of all decisions regarding the park. The MOU recognizes the Friends of Forsyth to be a philanthropic agent with the goal of raising funds to preserve the historical integrity of Forsyth Park and enhance its features. 

The Friends of Forsyth’s purpose statement within this MOU and their 501(c)(3) federal tax status is the following “Organized for the purpose of engaging stakeholders and for formulating, prioritizing, and implementing a collective vision for Forsyth Park in partnership with the City of Savannah”.

This MOU clarifies the relationship between the Friends of Forsyth Conservancy and the City of Savannah, creating a transparent framework for how decisions are made. 

In 2022, a Forsyth Park Master Plan was completed by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects and funded by Savannah’s Trustee’s Garden Club.

In 2015, the Trustee’s Garden Club initiated the legacy Forsyth Park Project with the following goals 

1. To create the first-ever comprehensive Master Plan for the park, 
2. Strive for a designation of the park as a National Historic Landmark and 
3. The creation of a non-profit organization to support the park through volunteerism, fundraising, and outreach.

Trustees’ Garden Club and the City of Savannah signed a Memorandum of Understanding in April 2019 specifying that the Club would fund the Master Plan in its entirety, oversee the plan’s development in collaboration with City staff, and ensure a robust community engagement process.

The Master Plan’s intention is to be a long-term vision and road map for the future of the park. Savannah City Council did not officially adopt the Master Plan, however the City uses the plan for professional guidance when exploring enhancements or preservation elements within the park, but is not bound in anyway by to contents.

No. The MOU outlines the City’s willingness to review the Master Plan when implementing new maintenance programs, preservation improvements, or park enhancements and “to the extent practicable”, use the maintenance standards, enhancement projects and design guidelines outlined within the plan. Additionally, the MOU outlines the Friends of Forsyth Conservancy’s willingness to coordinate with the City regarding funding goals and assistance, for programs or campaigns that preserve and enhance Forsyth Park in accordance with the Forsyth Park Master Plan and to advocate for the preservation of the historic integrity of the Park. The City reserves sole authority to make all final decisions regarding the Park or deny any funding for elements in which it does not approve.

The City of Savannah has several MOUs in place to help establish partnerships between nonprofits and the City that provide public benefits. Public-private partnerships help provide better services and experiences for residents by aligning common missions and funding opportunities without solely and always relying on taxpayers.

The City has a MOU with the Telfair Museum of Art including guidance for the development and implementation of a master plan for Telfair Square, funded by the Telfair Museum of Art.

Many communities across the county following this model including:

• Central Park, New York City
• Grant Park, Atlanta Georgia 
• Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and 
• Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, Austin Texas, along with many others 

The MOU outlines the City’s willingness to waive permitting fees for use of the park by Friends of Forsyth Park Conservancy for fundraising events when given 24 months’ notice.

This section helps to clarify the requirements of the City’s Open Record Laws and the that of 501 ©3 non-profit organizations. It is common in fundraising and philanthropic communities to remain anonymous in order to protect the donor from further solicitation and the protection personal privacy.