Los Angeles County is set to shorten its pool season and close several parks to address a $22.2 million budget shortfall. Starting June 30, six major regional parks, including Castaic, Kenneth Hahn, Peter F. Schabarum, Santa Fe Dam, Frank G. Bonelli, and Whittier Narrows, will be closed every Monday and Tuesday. Lakes at these parks will also suspend swimming, boating, and fishing activities on those days.
The county’s Department of Parks and Recreation announced these measures as part of a cost-saving strategy. According to LAist, Parks and Recreation Director Norma E. García-González stated that the budget cuts will lead to layoffs and reduced part-time staff benefits. Additionally, the summer pool season will be reduced from 23 weeks to 11 weeks, ending on August 16.
In addition to the closures, fees for park services will increase. Vehicle entrance costs at the affected parks, as well as entrance fees to the L.A. County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, will rise. Facility rental fees will also see a hike. The Parks After Dark program, which offers free concerts and movie screenings, will be suspended at 34 parks across the county. However, local parks will continue to host youth summer camps, senior programs, and provide free nutritious snacks for children.
The budget cuts are attributed to declining federal funding, the impacts of January’s wildfires, and a $4 billion settlement with victims of sexual abuse in county-run facilities, as reported by KTLA. County leaders had previously unveiled a budget proposal requiring most departments to reduce spending by three percent.
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