Published: October 20, 2009 08:40 pm      

Rec department provides valuable services

I read in the Oct. 1 issue of the Cumberland Times-News that the city of Cumberland’s Mayor and City Council are considering ways to tighten the budget. (“City proposes multiple ways to save money,” Page 1A)

The article included a comment about a potential plan to combine workforces within Public Works including the services of the Parks & Recreation Department. I have thought about the article and would like to express concern regarding any potential loss of services from this department.

Every time I turn on local TV or radio advertising, it is clear that Cumberland is “billed” as a tourism, family community with emphasis on the offerings not found in every city. It is my hope that the leaders of Cumberland making decisions fully understand the impact of the city’s Parks and Recreations Department within the community.

Many Cumberland residents appreciate the beautiful decorations at Christmas time. Who doesn’t love to see the beautiful tree that can be seen from I-68 leading visitors to the Town Center? But does anyone consider who is behind the scenes making this happen? It’s the Parks and Recreation Department. As the holidays approach, they are instrumental in the tree lighting service and Santa’s arrival on the City Mall.

I’m proud to live in an area that has shown so much care for the youth offering Halloween events, Christmas events, Easter egg hunts and a wonder summer day care program. What programs will we lose due to a combination and reduction of the work force?

If you listen to the news, you have heard about the concern for child obesity. Through the Parks and Recreation Department, programs are supported that keep our young children active.

The department is responsible for maintaining the fields and scheduling programs that support the Pee Wee football, youth football, baseball and soccer programs. It is wonderful for parents to be able to take their children to well-maintained areas, not over-grown grassy cow pastures, to be able to exercise and enjoy various sports.

I have also heard rumors that the city is even considering turning over control of the park pool to a private facility. This raises my concern that we will have a wonderful facility, but many families will struggle with being able to afford using it.

I can only hope that the services within Constitution Park itself will continue to thrive should changes for the department occur. There aren’t too many cities where you can leave the stress of the job for a 30 minute lunch in the park knowing that you are going to have a well-maintained area to meet with friends and socialize.

Yes, there are benefits afforded to the residents of the city, but not ones that I want to lose and I’m sure many others would support my views.

It is clearly evident that there is an economic struggle and tough decisions need to be made. I hope that the importance of these services to the city is weighed against the small cost to be maintained in the city’s overall budget. Surely, the economy will recover; we need to preserve something for when it does.

Rose Mulligan

Cumberland