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On November 18, 2010, a directive from New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg to the city’s department of parks and recreation stated that each parks-and-recreation center in the city must take significant steps to cut costs--everything from “negotiating with unions to institute furloughs to save cash” and eliminating part-time seasonal jobs to reducing the work year from 12 to nine months. For many departments, this meant they could be essentially closed for part of the year.
And New York City is certainly not alone. Many people say the ramifications of the 2008 economic collapse have not fully played out. It started with Wall Street and poor investment strategies, spread to the housing market and home foreclosures, and in 2011, according to many, is set to significantly impact state and local governments. Some states, such as California and Illinois, are already essentially bankrupt. Yet to be determined is the number following right behind.
What does this mean for parks-and-recreation centers? Virtually all will need to find more ways to reduce operating costs. The worst that can happen is for staffers to be let go--adding to the unemployment problem--and for facilities to close. In many parts of the country--as parks-and-rec administrators well know--facilities have become safe, second homes for youngsters. Closing these locations could have unfortunate and preventable repercussions.
