Augusta leaders tour parks at risk of funding cuts

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A number of parks in Augusta might be on the chopping block.

Town’s parks and rec division advisable ten parks town ought to cease investing in to chop again on upkeep prices.

A lot of them are small, underused, or in want of some severe repairs. However there are larger parks on the record just like the Augusta Soccer Park and Pendleton King Park.

The thought is to chop metropolis funding for some parks, however organizations proceed to run them. Others will likely be fully let go. Some individuals aren’t going to let their parks go with no combat.

The parks in query: Hickman, Pendleton King, Alexander, Heard Avenue, Doughty, Augusta Soccer, Meadowbrook, Boykin Highway, Bedford Heights, and West Vineland.

Additionally they advisable restoring the Lock and Dam Park and Wooden Avenue Park.

“I’ll inform you what, that was thrilling. I had fun on this tour,” stated Catherine Smith McKnight, commissioner for District 3.

A discipline journey not like another.

“Some parks we’re going to get out and stroll the grounds,” stated Maurice McDowell, parks and rec director stated:

Commissioners hopped on a giant, blue bus stopping to go to 10 parks. Some are underused, and a few aren’t owned by town in any respect however obtain a small reduce of town’s funds for a part of the maintenance.

“If it has a facility a restroom or pavilion adjoining to it, we have now to do day by day restrooms, cleansing these services with trash runs. The most important factor is slicing the grass and a few of them posing challenges based mostly on places,” he stated.

McDowell is able to shut among the gates and use the cash for different parks as an alternative.

“Clearly focus in on a few of our regional parks Diamond Lakes, our Riverwalk, our Augusta Frequent,” he stated.

Not everybody was comfortable to see the massive bus cease of their greenspace.

Rodger Bello, involved resident stated: “Even the act of contemplating closing this park is absurd.”

Sydney Bello, involved resident stated: “I’ve a canine, and I come to the canine park. I wish to stroll on the paths right here. We’ve conferences right here. It’s only a beautiful park.”

Some parks like Doughty and Meadowbrook have suffered from a scarcity of funding and will price tens of millions to renovate. Others like Boykin are barely used and simply empty.

Dennis Williams, commissioner for District 2 stated: “You possibly can look and inform. It was in very, very unhealthy form.”

This tour was to offer commissioners an concept of the work to maintain a few of these underused parks. Though parks and rec’s suggestion is to chop all 10. Not one of the leaders appeared on board with that concept simply but.

McKnight stated: “I noticed about 4 or 5 parks I didn’t even know existed.”

The choice of which parks to chop received’t be a simple one.

“I’d not eliminate all 10, no method. Perhaps there may be one or two I’d query,” she stated.

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