Park Users Lobby for Independent Agency

Some users of county parks are asking county Chief Executive Officer Jan Mittermeier to create an independent Harbors, Beaches and Parks Department when she unveils a final reorganization plan later this fall.

Under a draft restructuring proposal presented this summer, the parks department would be folded into a larger Public Works agency handling several functions including flood control and infrastructure projects.

Some equestrian organizations and park-user groups fear the change would result in staffing cutbacks and dilute efforts to improve and expand recreational facilities.

Supervisor Marian Bergeson has met with some of the concerned users and said she supports an independent parks department. “Parks should be separate,” she said. “They could get lost within the Public Works Department.”

Mittermeier is now examining business plans submitted by department managers. She will submit a final restructuring proposal to the Board of Supervisors in the next few months.

The Harbors, Beaches and Parks Department is now part of the massive Environmental Management Agency, which is being dismantled as part of the reorganization.