
Escondido, California. Escondido’s recreation department may be forced to close its popular skate park to help the city balance its budget.
Recreation director Robin Bettin said Monday her office has to cut over $860,000 from its books, and the skate park has a shortfall of around $100,000. Skaters would have to pay double the price, and if that doesn’t happen, the park would have to close.
“If we can’t get enough kids to come at the price we have to charge and have full cost-recovery,” Bettin said, “we should close it.”
Skaters and bikers hope the doomsday scenario doesn’t take place.
“If you want to see kids skating in front of your office buildings or shredding where security guards don’t want us to shred, I guess shut it down,” explained skater Zig Short.
“I think it’s the dumbest idea ever,” said fellow skater Ian Fujimoto, “I’d rather have them charge us more to come here than close it down.”
Bettin said there are other cuts on the table, including possibly closing a pool and raising fees for several programs around the city.
A clearer budget picture should be presented to the city council in late April.
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By John Langeler. FOX 5 San Diego Staff (via).