Photo Credit: © KIMBERLY GREENLEAF | DREAMSTIME.COM
Editor’s Note: This column, “LBWA” (Leadership By Wandering Around), is based on the premise that, in order to find out what’s going on in the field, a parks and rec leader has to leave his or her desk and “wander around” the area of operations, talk to people, ask questions, and kick around ideas with the individuals in the thick of delivering services to the public. So the author will bring up issues and ask the leaders among the readership to share their knowledge and experiences.
I read with great interest the article in PRB June by Sandra J. Gonzalez, titled “Is There a Future for the Past--Keeping a public treasure alive in hard times.” It is an excellent example of the importance of parks and recreation in the historical fabric of our society.
Gonzalez is the manager of the Planning & Development Bureau for the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department in Long Beach, Calif. In the article, she laments the possible future of Rancho Los Cerritos, a national, state and local landmark owned and operated by the city as a public museum and historic site since 1955. The site’s heritage is traced back to the late 19^(th) century when it was part of a 27,000-acre cattle and sheep dynasty.
The well-founded concern is that this historic and culturally important part of American history will be a victim of budget realities. The story of this landmark is important, but what really caught my attention was a paragraph that described a looming $52-million budget deficit and the choices Long Beach policy-makers will have to make between “optional” and “core” services.