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Park Fees

Friday, February 1, 2013

POLL: Would You Pay a Quarter a Month for Better Parks?

With the park fund running out of money—again—the city is discussing a more-reliable way to support Hopkins parks.

Seven sets of Hopkins playground equipment will be more than 20 years old by 2015. The city’s picnic shelters and warming houses are between 30 and 50 years old. The Harley Hopkins warming house was built in 1959. Overall, Hopkins parks are “drab” compared to neighboring communities, Park Board members told the City Council on Tuesday. “I think we’re a little behind the curve, to be blunt,” Park Board Member Tom Jenny said. Yet the city doesn’t have the money to fix them up right now. While the park fund grew in 2012 it’s predicted to be in the hole by 2014, even assuming a maintenance schedule that does little in the way of big improvements. Consequently, Park Board members are asking the City Council to consider increased park fees that …

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