Athens City Councilwoman Nancy Bain, D-3rd Ward, said the budget for Strouds Run State Park leaves an unanswered question with respect to finance and the park might put a tax burden on city government in the future.
The 2,606-acre park would cost $102,000 to maintain next year, Mayor Ric Abel said, adding that the state at one time spent $330,000 per year for park operation and maintenance.
A task force created to study possibilities for the future of Strouds Run created a proposed budget in which the city would get a total of $15,000 a year from Ohio University departments and would set up a $500,000 endowment fund using private donations, Abel said.
I don't want to rely upon the city's budget or the (Ohio Department of Natural Resources)
Abel said, adding that he believes local businesses and the endowment fund may be able to support the park in the future.
Ohio's state government would also give the city a one-time sum of $49,500 to end its association with the park, he said.
The condition of Strouds Run has declined in recent years because of a decrease in state spending for parks, said Athens City Councilwoman Carol Patterson, D-at large.
More and more there's an inclination to let these parks decline Patterson said, adding that she supports of the city taking over the park.
The city would have a more vested interest in keeping the park in good condition, she said.
I believe ... and the state believes that we can do a better job at maintaining the park Patterson said.
However, with a budget far less than peak state expenditure, the city might be unable to meet all of its goals for maintaining the park, Bain said.
I don't know how you can have a park that is better ... under those circumstances
she said, adding that the state is simply passing off the parkland because of its own budgetary constraints.
Last year, Athens' Parks and Recreation Department needed money from the city to meet its budget, Bain said, adding that the park will put more stress on a department that is managed inefficiently.
The city would also face concerns involving the conflict between developing the park land and maintaining Strouds Run as a nature preserve, Bain said.
Everybody thinks that they are going to control (the park)
but I think no one is going to control it
she said. I just don't know if (taking over the park) right now is in our best interests.
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