Comments on: Keep Flatwoods Park Open!

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:03:31 +0000

I primarily visit Flatwoods Park 5 or 6 days a week to run and walk the loop, starting at the Bruce B Downs Blvd entrance, but occasionally cycle as well. I’d hate to see the park close on Mon and Tues or entirely. It would add excessive expense to have someone at the entrance collecting fees (especially during slow periods) and the “honor system” may not be effective. I’d support an annual “park pass” program, either specifically for Flatwoods or another option for multiple parks for others. A volunteer program may also help mitigate the cost increases, but could pose insurance issues to overcome. I’d volunteer to work at the park at least one full day per week….just some thoughts…I just noticed this posting.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:42:52 +0000

Please NOTE the meeting has been moved from County Center to the All People’s Life Center on the 16th.
County link is here
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/budgetmatters/workshops/

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:24:28 +0000

The County Commission has so much pork in their budget this shouldn’t even be an issue. According to the Parks Dept Mark Thornton I just received word that the savings attributed by closing the Flatwoods 2 days a week is $483,390 yet other places in the budget proposal show they intend on giving the Sports Commission, a private group, $700,000. The budget is loaded with special interests getting public dollars and the County Administrator just handed out double digit raises to some of her employees while suggesting cutting 900 jobs. Tell the County Commission to get their priorities straight! You can contact them here
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/about/contactus.cfm

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:06:16 +0000

Amen, Chip — and this loss of tax revenue has affected me in ways you and I have already discussed privately. Not a whole lot of sympathy on my end these days…

By: Chip Haynes

Chip Haynes — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:55:47 +0000

GR nailed it: Everyone has their own idea of what the government MUST do, but: When it comes right down to it, there’s really very little the government is required by law to do. Taxes are collected to fund services, but after you take care of the basics like law enforcement and fire protection what else does the governmment really HAVE to do? Hint: Parks and bicycle facilities are unfortunately not high on the list. As we see our tax revenue levels continue to slide, we are also going to see just exactly how little the government will be able to offer its citizens in the way of non-essential amenities.

I can guarantee you this: GR and I both already long for the days of the Big Housing Bubble, back when goverments had plenty of money and could do stuff.

What was that? Two years ago?

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:19:04 +0000

Yeah, tough things happen when the area runs out of tax money to fund projects and services. They COULD shutter the parks system altogether.

Look, everyone’s got their pet service or facility, and when budget crises come, some of these favorites get axed. I hope Flatwoods survives; right now, going to a “pay to use” structure starts making a lot of sense .

By: Gordon

Gordon — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:03:22 +0000

Pay a dollar a wheel? Still cheaper than a gym or a therapist!

By: Chip Haynes

Chip Haynes — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:54:38 +0000

We tried donation drop boxes out on the Friendship Trail Bridge. We didn’t get what you’d call an overwhelming response. The honor system falls apart pretty quick.

Another option to help keep parks open is to arrange for citizen volunteers to help maintian and oversee the park. Every little bit helps when it comes to supplimenting a limited budget.

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:49:36 +0000

I’ve paid a lot of “entrance money” to local, state and Federal parks over the years. I am not adverse to it at all. In some of the cases, a money dropbox took the place of a park ranger!

By: Chip Haynes

Chip Haynes — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:15:56 +0000

So: How many of you would be willing to pay a fee to enter any park? How about, say a dollar a a wheel? ($4 for cars, $2 for bikes and free for pedestrians)? ALL government agencies are hurting financially at every level right now, and, in all honesty, parks are gravy. They are not required by any law, and are a gift to the citizens. You may see a lot more “pay for use” situations when it comes to public amenties in the future.