Maintaining parks on a reduced budget

By Chris NordstromWe live in a time where budgets for “non-essential” community services are meager to non-existent. For some communities, it comes down to balancing maintaining an adequate emergency response team against quality of life expenditures like parks and recreation. Colorado Springs, Colorado faced such a dilemma in 2012, and chose to shutter most of its park facilities. The city has since rebounded, using creative methods to stretch their budget and create one of the most highly praised park systems in the country. This article tells a story that could apply to many Michigan communities.