HTN: City, County Agree on Park Maintenance

An agreement between Erie County and Buffalo will keep city parks and recreation areas open and fully-staffed, at least through the summer and fall. County Executive Chris Collins and Mayor Byron Brown have agreed that the county will continue to maintain, manage and operate city park parcels, rec centers, indoor and outdoor pools, and splash-and-spray pads. In exchange, the City will pay the County $4.4 million for the year, up from $1.5 million last year. Erie County will budget for 52 full-time positions and 144 seasonal positions. The plan also calls for crews to mow the grass in parks every 12 days, instead of every 20 days. Collins and Brown are working on a long-term agreement.