Teamwork Toledo suggests turning all City Parks over to Toledo Area Metroparks
It’s reported in today’s Blade that at the press conference yesterday, one of the suggestions made by Teamwork Toledo is to turn management of all of the City of Toledo’s Parks over to the Toledo Area Metroparks, and that this could create “multimillion dollars in savings”.
The transfer of the land that the former Toledo Workhouse was on was used as an example by Teamwork Toledo, Lucas County Commissioners in 2002 did transfer this land at the cost of one dollar per acre.
It could however create a situation where Lucas County residents would be asked for an increase in the two levies that currently fund the Toledo Area Metroparks if the Metroparks even agreed to take or purchase the land as was done with the Blue Creek Conservation Area. It would also raise questions as far as the City pools since they are located in City Parks and some of the other recreational facilities that are within Toledo Parks.
Personally I think trying to coordinate services with the Federal Government, Lucas County, TPS and Toledo when it comes to maintenance issues for parks would also generate savings so in the absence of real details as to a comparative analysis and not knowing if the Toledo Area Metroparks would even be interested and what impact it could have on their cost structure? I can’t offer a definite opinion on this proposal beyond stating it would be worth discussing and having more details provided.
For one, I can’t imagine the metroparks being even interested in buying the city parks. Two, if they did they would probably just close down and dig out the pools. It’s too much of a liability and costs too much to maintain.
June 5th, 2009 at 2:52 pmRobin, I am not sure the metroparks would be interested either, and I don’t disagree with you about what could happen with the pools. While the metroparks system has the equipment, they would most likely not have enough manpower so it would increase their costs. How much would be important to know before this could be taken seriously as well as if it is something they would even consider. If it is not? Then it’s kind of a moot point.
June 5th, 2009 at 4:22 pmWe played softball at Pearson park out in Oregon last night, it is a Metro-park. I had not been there before, and thought it looked like a great place and asset to the community.
The ranger and I talked about the fact that starting Monday they are renovating the dilapidated softball fields and area. Would metro-parks take over city parks? I don’t know, but at least someone is asking questions about methods to decrease the budget and making constructive suggestions.
TAHL
June 5th, 2009 at 5:06 pmWhy not? Maybe not all of the parks are appealing, but I’m sure there are some parks that would benefit from such a deal.
June 5th, 2009 at 6:51 pm