Parks are not profit centers

Parks are not Profit Centers
By Bruce Piel

When push comes to shove, it is always apparent that politicians and political hacks alike have no concept how private industry works and how public services are funded. The latest proof of this is a “plan” to upgrade the facilities at Nickerson Beach Park, 5 local active county parks to generate profits and close museums and other facilities that are not profitable enough.
Public Parks are not now nor have they ever been profit centers. They are acquired, improved and maintained through tax revenue, not fees. Fees supplement revenue needed to maintain parks by charging for seasonal or optional services not covered by taxes. For example, Nassau County may build and maintain a pool for its residents. That is tax money. When the pool is open, life guards must be hired to enforce the rules and protect the users. That is by fees. Pretty simple, but somehow Nassau doesn’t get it.
Before the tax line on our bills for parks was “erased” by the Suozzi Administration in 2002, the total taxes supporting the county park system was $65 million dollars. This included all the active parks, preserves, museums, historic sites and the daily services they provided. It included over 800 full time employees, about 500 seasonals, equipment, supplies, administration, etc. Nassau Parks collected in fees about $14 million a year which was put into the general fund. When the budget line was eliminated and employees laid off or pensioned out, the tax levies remained the same or even increased. We now have about 100 full time employees. Where did all the park tax moneys go? The parks are mostly a shambles, so the money didn’t go there. If you wish to evaluate a park, go the the rest rooms and see if you want to take a toddler there or even use them yourself.
Should the county proceed with the “improvements” outlined? The answer is no! It may seem strange for a park advocate to argue against park improvements, but we feel we have good reason to take that position. First, the county is broke and is contemplating layoffs of the very people that must maintain the parks, improved or not. This is extremely short sighted. The improvements will not survive neglect or being ignored. Better to keep or hire enough people to preserve existing facilities for public use. Installation of turf fields is not a panacea. The life of turf fields is about 10 years, less when not monitored and maintained, and then they must be replaced. Natural fields will last forever with a little TLC.
We have noted before that the “backroom deal” with Molloy College benefits the college not the average county resident ball player. The increased fees already at Nickerson Beach are onerous to the average family. Adding more amenities and charging the inflated fees will not turn a profit. You must collect the annual cost of the park system before any revenue can be called a profit and that will not happen. Closing museums is rejecting our heritage and the heritage of our children and grandchildren. That heritage is the profit our museums generate.
So Nassau, put a hold on the proposed “improvements” and employ an adequate workforce to keep our parklands available for no or low cost to our residents. Lay off those in patronage jobs that are fabricated or have unqualified employees. If you want profits, leave the public payroll and start a small business in Nassau. Hire the unemployed and provide a product or service that will earn a profit