Columbus hands trail care to Metro Parks
Jul 10th, 2010 | By Jody | Category: NewsThe Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks began talking with Metro Parks more than a year ago when a team, looking at ways to cut expenses, recommended a partnership. The economic advisory committee, which was appointed by Mayor Michael B. Coleman and the City Council, was the same group that recommended the Columbus income-tax increase that voters approved in August.
Recreation and Parks Director Alan D. McKnight estimated the switch will save Columbus about $150,000 a year and benefit all who use the trails.
“We’ve already partnered on building some of the trails,” McKnight said. “So it made sense to take this relationship a step further and have one entity ensure that all of the trails are kept trimmed, cleaned of debris and repaired whenever necessary.”
Jody Dzuranin, the operations manager for Consider Biking, said she thinks consistent maintenance along all trails will be good for bikers.
She also hopes it will spur new efforts to create volunteer groups to monitor trails and help make sure they’re safe.
“We want to be part of positive change,” Dzuranin said.
