SILVER SPRING, MD—The Summer 2010 edition of the Montgomery County Guide to Recreation and Park Programs will not be mailed to the homes of county residents this month but will instead go electronic as the Department of Parks and the Department of Recreation adapt to meet the challenges of the county’s unprecedented budget shortfall.
“We’re doing our part in tightening our belts and joining together to balance the budget,” said Director of Parks Mary Bradford.
The cost savings from not mailing the Guide to approximately 90,000 homes is about $112,500. To save more money, only 25,000 copies of the Summer 2010 Guide have been printed instead of the 75,000 copies typically printed. These printed copies will be available at county libraries, parks and recreation centers.
The Department of Parks created a new easy-to-use electronic version of the Guide to offset the fewer printed copies in circulation. This e-Guide is available for easy viewing, downloading, printing or searching at www.ParkPASS.org. From this site, users will also find tips for navigating the new e-Guide, electronic versions of other parks publications, information about where to find print copies while supplies last, and a short survey to assess interest in a future subscription service for the Guide.
“It’s important to remember that any cost savings achieved from printing fewer copies of this flagship publication and eliminating the mailing of it will not be realized if county residents register for fewer classes and programs as a result of this change,” added Bradford. “So, I encourage you to find something fun to do with the family and kids this summer in the parks.”
The Montgomery County Council is presently considering an operating budget for Fiscal Year 2011 for the Department of Parks, at a level more than $15 million less than what the department requested and more than $11 million less than its approved Fiscal Year 2010 budget. Given the size of this anticipated reduction, the Department of Parks will not be able to maintain services at the current level, despite the actions, reductions and streamlining it has already undertaken.
In addition, the County Council is considering a proposal to consolidate programming, permitting and registration within county government, which may mean significant changes to the provision of park services, particularly the many fee-based services the Department of Parks offers and advertises through the Guide.
Find more information on the latest budget news as it affects Montgomery Parks, the benefits of parks and ways to get involved in helping to protect and preserve them at www.ParksMatter.org.
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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866