|
KRMG Local News |
Parks Department temporarily closing down half-dozen city rec centers due to budget cuts
Don Bishop
TULSA, Ok. – AM 740 and FM 102.3 News/Talk KRMG’s Steve Berg reports Parks Department officials say it’s only a last resort, but it was apparently mentioned as one option at a neighborhood meeting, tearing down recreation centers and selling off park land. Just the idea was enough to rile city councilor Maria Barnes who was talking to Susan Neal with the Mayor’s Office and Parks Director Lucy Dolman. "You and Susan, don’t encourage these neighborhoods to get rid of the rec centers. I ask you that. Do not," Barnes said. The Parks Department has taken some big hits over the last 10 years with it’s budget and personnel both being cut by more than half. And half of the city’s 21 rec centers have sat empty at one time or another.
