Hillsborough County Officials Proposing Changes to Park Maintenance System

In a dual effort to save money and improve the services it provides, the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation department has recommended changes to the way the county's parks are maintained.

The recommendation: that all park and athletic field maintenance be contracted out to local businesses in the community. The first pre-bid meeting was held on June 3 at the All Peoples Life Center, 6105 East Sligh Avenue.  The second meeting will be at the same place and time on June 8.

The move would save the county $2 million, officials say, in the midst of an era of declining tax revenue. The new system would also increase the frequency of maintenance at the parks, said Kemly Green, a spokeswoman for the parks department.

"We hope to strengthen ties with the athletic leagues, because they're having to struggle," Green said. "It takes away from their programs."

Park maintenance started to become an issue in 2007. Budget cuts caused the county to turn over athletic field maintenance to youth athletic leagues and volunteer groups.

Some leagues were able to take on the maintenance, while others struggled with taking care of the land.

Improper maintenance led to a costly repair routine for the county, officials said, noting that re-sodding a football field can cost the county up to $40,000.

If the park's department's recommendation goes through, the parks department would take back responsibility of maintaining the athletic fields with the help of local businesses.

That would allow the local leagues to use funds on their programs instead of maintenance, Green said.

For more information on changes in the park's department, go to www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/strategic.