Not sure how many are aware of this, but the all wise ones managing the County are talking of closing our parks a lot. I dont consider this OT at all- I know a great many of us that use these parks as primary training grounds.

How much is a lot? Try 2-4 days a week 9am to 6 pm. Want to trail run after work? Too bad. Ride around Flatwoods before work? Gates are going to be closed.

The only thing to stop this is to speak out and be heard. So make sure all your training buddies know, the people at work that power walk, inline skaters, mountain bikers, horse riders, everyone.

The County is indeed facing a tough economic situation. But instead of cutting the upper end of the salary scale, they've decided to eliminate the workers that make the parks go round, and close the parks to compensate. I saw a list of proposed cuts today- HALF of the park rangers in the county, and ONE general manager. This leaves almost intact a many layer bureaucracy with General Managers making $69,000 to over $115,000 in exchange for workers who salaries top out at $35k after over 25 years of service.

Let our voices be heard, and let them know that the public will not stand to bullied and conned- your county commissioners, county administrator, and parks director can all be contacted by phone and email at links provided below:
County Administrator- http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/administrator/
County Commissioners- http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/
Parks Director- http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/

Save our Parks!