[TaraP]

Bulbs....

Dead grass, dark streets

But the 2010 spending choices are complete, and local residents and businesses are preparing for a slew of changes:

- The steep parks and recreation cuts mean a radical reshifting of resources from more than 100 neighborhood parks to a few popular regional parks. The city cut watering drastically in 2009 but “got lucky” with weekly summer rains, said parks maintenance manager Kurt Schroeder.

With even more watering cuts, “if we repeat the weather of 2008, we’re at risk of losing every bit of turf we have in our neighborhood parks,” Schroeder said. Six city greenhouses are shut down. The city spent $19.6 million on parks in 2007; this year it will spend $3.1 million.

“If a playground burns down, I can’t replace it,” Schroeder said. Park fans’ only hope is the possibility of a new ballot tax pledged to recreation spending that might win over skeptical voters.

- Community center and pool closures have parents worried about day-care costs, idle teenagers and shut-in grandparents with nowhere to go.

[Drill Thrawl]

“If a playground burns down, I can’t replace it,”

WHAT?!?!

[keepitreal]

“If a playground burns down, I can’t replace it,” Schroeder said. Park fans’ only hope is the possibility of a new ballot tax pledged to recreation spending that might win over skeptical voters.

- Community center and pool closures have parents worried about day-care costs, idle teenagers and shut-in grandparents with nowhere to go.

If a playground burns down? What? Has one ever burned down in the history of the Springs?

Daycare costs aren't the taxpayer's responsibility. And I grew up in Colo. Springs back when there were no community centers. We weren't idle because we had chores and played with friends in the neighborhood. Why does the government owe us all fun?