Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : City Considers Agreement to Take Over County Park : Recreation: Budget restrictions force county supervisors to threaten closure of the facility in Saugus.

City officials are reviewing a proposed lease agreement that would allow them to maintain and operate Bouquet Canyon Park in Saugus, one of more than 20 Los Angeles County parks scheduled to be shut down because of budget cuts.

Rick Putnam, director of parks, recreation and community services for the city, said city officials have not ruled out annexing the park, which sits outside the city limits, but are exploring the lease agreement to keep the park open until a decision is made. Santa Clarita officials estimate that it will cost at least $50,000 a year to maintain Bouquet Canyon Park.

A $10-million budget cut to the county parks and recreation department has resulted in a proposal to close 23 county-run parks, and department officials are in negotiation with several cities to turn over maintenance and operations to them.

Since the Board of Supervisors outlined the 23% reduction, Los Angeles city officials have agreed to take over operations at Ernest Debs Park in northeast L. A. and Pan Pacific Park on 3rd Street, said Tony Yakimowich, budget director for the county’s parks and recreation department.

The city of Malibu last week passed a resolution to take over three county parks in its area and the city of Pasadena will take over operations at Grove Park in September, he added.

“We’re trying to work with as many cities as possible for them to take over parks or get them to contribute if possible to the maintenance and operation of the facility,” Yakimowich said.

“The problem we’re facing is that many of the cities are in the same tough financial situations as the county, and many of them are unwilling to absorb more responsibilities and costs,” he said.

The 20-acre park has a multipurpose field, a playground, a lighted softball field, tennis and basketball courts and playground equipment. Some of the equipment and facilities are in need of renovation and repair, Putnam said.

Irrigation, security and handicapped accessibility to the park are some of the primary areas that would need to be upgraded to make the park safe and functional, city officials said.

City officials are now reviewing the document, which turns over all duties to local park and recreation officials, but contains a clause that would allow the county to revoke the lease at any time, said one city official who requested anonymity.

A public meeting is scheduled next week at Bouquet Elementary School, which is across from the park, to gather public support to determine if Neighborhood Watch programs and other safety precautions could be taken if the city decides to lease the park.

If an agreement is not reached and operating funds are not restored, the park would be shut down some time in September, Yakimowich said.