| The Parks Department budget has been shrinking. Today it's up to each neighborhood to care for its parks. Here's what must be done to keep Duane Park clean and luxuriant in the coming year:
Plants We've budgeted $1,000 for spring annuals and fall bulbs as well as new and replacement shrubs. We've already planted 2500 bulbs!
Cleaning and sweeping The Parks Department cleans paved areas once a week - not enough to keep up with the litter. We pay the Tribeca Partnership about $1,000 a year for daily sweeping and trash removal. Spraying, fertilization, and pruning of trees Tree maintenance used to be handled by the Parks Dept. Today Friends of Duane Park pays about $2,000 a year to keep the park trees healthy. Equipment This year, new trash can lids and liners are likely to bring the cost of equipment to to about $650. Pest control, a recent addition to our budget, will probably cost $1,100.
This adds up, when such administrative expenses as copying and postage are included, to a budget for park maintenance`of nearly $7,000. Any funds we receive beyond that basic amount help us cover the cost of special events - Halloween, Earth Day, and concerts in the park - and enable us to build a much-needed reserve fund. |