Under a 2009 budget that is been reduced by more than $108,000, the San Juan County Parks Department will be a lot leaner, and perhaps a little meaner than it was in 2008. But the creative use of grant money and volunteers has helped avoid the most feared potential impact of budget cuts – closing parks and public restrooms.

In 2009 service will be less personal and more operational emphasis will be placed on producing revenue than in past years, says County Park and Recreation Director Dona Wuthnow. “We’ve got to focus on generating money to keep the remaining parks & programs going without the general fund support].”

Even after the Council reduced the amount of proposed cuts, the Parks budget was reduced by more than 14%. That will mean less staff time to manage the parks and that some community services, such as renting parks for private, special events such as weddings and Bar Mitzvahs, will be suspended, public events will continue at Eastsound Village Green. “Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time to handle private events and the revenue never quite covers the real cost. In this coming year we won’t have the staff or the money to handle them.”

The Department is also suspending the annual January County-resident only reservation program that has allowed local residents to make advanced campsite reservations for anytime of the year. San Juan Park campsite rental fees will increase about 7 percent next year and the department will take reservations for individual campsites on-line only, rather than accepting them over the telephone. Group sites will still be booked by phone.

On the brighter side, when it appeared that several day parks and restroom facilities would have to be closed, nearly 100 citizens stepped forward to volunteer to help with maintenance, and others volunteered financial contributions. Because of liability issues, the types of work volunteers can do has limits, “Unfortunately we can’t have a volunteer coming in with a chainsaw to clear a trail,” said Wuthnow; but she expects to take advantage of volunteer help. She adds that all volunteers will sign a contract, receive safety training and will be required to use appropriate equipment.

The Parks Department is now seeking a grant through the county’s Lodging Tax Facilities grant program to help finance the maintenance of restrooms and will be soliciting donations to pay for items including safety equipment and tools for the volunteer workers, and supplies such as dog waste bags and disposable cleaning supplies that were previously purchased with County funds.

“This is going to be a real challenge for our staff,” said Wuthnow. “Most of the time we will not be able to have people on-site to supervise the volunteers or enforce park rules. But we’re enthusiastic about finding a way to make this work. The alternative,” she said, “is closing some of the most essential facilities and beautiful areas on these wonderful islands.”