Broward County's ill-fated attempt to save money by closing parks midweek actually cost taxpayers $98,961, plus a year and a half of potential revenue that the parks could have brought in.
Next Tuesday, four county parks will reopen seven days a week, according to the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division. But that came after the county paid Pros Consulting nearly $100,000 to analyze park operations. The analysis found the closures myopic and senseless.
The consultant found that reopening the parks would cost taxpayers nothing and make them happier, according to the Sun-Sentinel. Furthermore, it found that the lost business from revenue-producing parks outweighed whatever budget-cutting benefits the county had imagined.
Though county staff has had the report for months, it wasn't presented to commissioners until March 1 at a budget workshop.
The reopening of the four parks on Tuesdays and Wednesdays means that there are a total of eight county parks open for full weeks year-round.
The four parks scheduled for reopening next Tuesday are Brian Piccolo Park Velodrome in Cooper City, C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, Hollywood North Beach Park in Hollywood, and Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach.
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