03/13/03  How do you like the way the park & recreation department spends your money?

The other day, I was outraged to read about proposed budget cuts in store for our parks and rec centers.  

It got me to thinking about the way the Parks Department dealt with my neighborhood when we objected to spending what I considered to be a whole lot of money on a new sign at our neighborhood park.  They basically responded it was none of our business and the new sign was going up whether we liked it or not.  

I couldn't remember the exact details about the cost.  So, I contacted my City Councilwoman's office and asked for some specifics.  When I got the information, I got even more outraged.

There are approximately 400 parks in the city.  There are approximately 48 parks with the new signs and 9 more sites that will be receiving them soon.  The cost of the sign varies between $5,500 and $7,500 depending upon the quantity ordered.

Well, folks, that is over $300,000 at the low end and almost $428,000 at the top end (plus labor).   Since their response had so many approximately's in
it, I'd bet on the higher figure.

If you agree this is outrageous, write your City Council person, the DMN and everyone else you know.   

Spending almost $500,000 on new signs doesn't keep a single swimming pool open or provide for one more playground area for our kids.  It's just wasted money.  If the Park Department could show a little more judgment in spending its available funds, they wouldn't have to whine so loudly about budget cuts.

Nancy Weinberger, Oak Lawn