Cuts could close some Hills. parks two days a week

Monday, July 6, 2009

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These 10 parks could be affected.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Hikers, bikers and skaters in Hillsborough County may lose access to one of their favorite places to play.

Flatwoods Park is one of 10 regional parks around the county that may be forced to close two days a week and cut back on hours the other days.

Dan Rosenthal says he enjoys getting some exercise on a Monday by riding his bicycle on the trails of Flatwoods Park.

"It's a great place to ride," he said. "It's off the road and you don't have to worry about traffic."

But come October, the park may be off limits on Mondays and Tuesdays. Other parks that cater to picnickers and those who like to canoe may also be affected.

The cuts also mean that 54 park rangers could lose their jobs.

The Southwest Florida Bicycle United Dealers group is planning to ride bicycles to the county commission's next budget hearing as a show of force.

"You really need to talk face to face with the commissioners," said Alan Snel with Southwest Florida Bicycle United Dealers. "They need to see real people, real county residents."

However, if the budget cuts do become a reality, some people with the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department say they're looking at ideas to keep the parks open anyway. They may even ask volunteer groups to adopt-a-park.

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John Brill with the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department says the volunteers would do the work rangers normally do.

"They would probably have to assist with patrolling, maybe picking up garbage, you know, not the glory things," Brill said. "The bathrooms have to be cleaned and maintained to stay open."

Snel says his group will consider volunteering if it comes to that.

Rosenthal says he thinks commissioners will find the money to keep the parks open if enough people speak out.

"The commissioners are open to the public's opinion," Rosenthal said. "And if enough people object, they'll make changes elsewhere."

The next public hearing on next year's proposed budget will be held on July 16 at 6 p.m. at the county center in downtown Tampa. Two more public hearings will be held on the budget in September.

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