The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-09-13
Fairgrounds to BE Cut

We had planned to answer a
number of insistent demands for adj
ditional Fairgrounds next year, but
the recommendation made for re-
ducing the recreation department
budget have made any new play
grounds impossible
The only way we can keep any
Fairgrounds open is to reduce dras-
tically the personnel and salaries of
the playground staff" Sallee as
serted. Under our 1882 budget pro-
vision Of $4,000 we were able to pay
them $50 a month. We probably
will cut them to $25 monthly be-
cause our 1888 budget only is $685.
600.
Petitions from civic organizations
are received constantly requesting
the opening Of additional parks and
Fairgrounds. Yet these same or
CARNATIONS are leading the move
ment to uphold the $3.50 tax limit
law, and in other way reduce the
amount of money spent by the city
in the interest of its citizens"
Slash Recreation Department
In the 1888 proposed budget now
in the hands of the city council, the
appropriation of the recreation oe-
partment was slashed $23 1895 rs,
nearly Is per cent. The proposed
figure is $79,08175, compared with
the 1882 allowance of $102,08175.
Not only the Fairgrounds, but
every activity of the park and recre-
alton departments will be curtailed,
Sallee pointed out. Our municipal
pools and beaches, baseball dia-
monds and golf courses will be OPP
Grated on a reduced scale.
And if the $3.50 limitation law
is enforced strictly, or further re-
auctions are made in our proposed
appropriation, the city will suffer a
loss to park property many thou
sands of dollars greater than the
saving which will be effected.
Enough Barely to Get BY
CITY property administered by
the park board is valued at more
than 100000. Under our $343,41
budget for 1888, this wealth is main
tanned at an expense of less than
per cent for administration and re-
pairs
Already reduced 100000 from
1882, our new budget will enable us
barely to get by. A further reduc-
ton would mean we would be forced
to allow city property to depreciate
because of lack of care.
Take the park nursery and
greenhouse, for instance. 1t is an
investment of $250000, built up
over a period of twenty-five years
If we were forced to abandon it, the
cost of replacement when normal
conditions returned would be far
greater than the money spent in
maintaining 1t now.
indianapolis is noted the country
over for its park system. There are
more public owned baseball dia-
monds here than in any other city
in the entire United States, accord
ing to a report by the American
Baseball Association. Our munich
pal golf courses have been praised
highly by leading professionals and
amateurs.
Golf Courses Are PeriIed
Although we have made our golf
courses self-supporting, it would be
necessary to abandon them if the
park appropriation is reduced. All
fees paid by players on the courses
must be turned in to the general
park fund. The law forbids such
proceeds being used to develop and
maintain the courses. A special APP
preparation is made each year for
keeping the golf courses in condi-
ton.
"A reduced budget would mean
we would be unable to operate a
self-supporting proposition, because
funds were not available to care
properly for green's and fairways.
Another point to consider is that
approximately 40 per cent of the
park appropriation, $135,000 will
be expended next year in paying
wages to indianapolis citizens for
work in parks, boulevards and other
city property.
Interest in Park System
ITO eliminate park maintenance
would throw these men out of work
at time when employment is most
needed. If We had not been al
lowed S50,l5 from the gasoline tax
fund, of which nearly half is for
wages, We would have had to lay off
these men and even stop the en-
ployment of men under the town.
ship trustees made work plan"
Interest of Indianapolis citizens in
the development of the park system
was shown recently when an aver
age of $4,000 persons were present
each of the three nights during the
dedication of Coleman park at King
avenue and West Michigan street