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Ge-lbarn Gazette: Good Parks Are Good for the Economy -Page 3 of .1 economy when they are well maintained and well used. They can have a negative effect when they are neglected, attracting vandalism, drug dealing and other crime. During the New York City fiscal crisis of thie* 197.0s. and '80s, dirty, worn and dangerous parks Ibecame a potent symbol of the city's decline. The parks system, compared to other city services, takes a relatively small amount of money to maintain. Although the parks department operating budget has increased since the lows of the early 11 9190s, the number of park properties has increased by 20 percent, and the department still runs on a budget that park adviocates, say Is not adequate to keep the entire system in good repair. Especially at risk are parks In the outer boroughs and In lower-income neighborhoods, which have not blenefitted as much from the private funding that burnishes the city's fla 9 sh:113 parks,, Users of some parks and sports fields still contend with trash, locked bethrooms and lack of maintenance. Dally News columnist Denis Hamill described these types of conditions recently inrecountfng his experiences as a baseball dad in ,Queens. Many of the neighborhoods surrounding tihese parks have bean affected disproportionately by the mortgagle crisis and declining real estate prices. Given the economic benefits of well -used and maintained parks -- and the increased need for free recreation and relaxation during 6'time of financial stress for many residents con the city afford to pare down the parks budiget further? ,Anne Schwartz, in charge of the parks topic page since its inception in 1999, is a journalist whio specializes In environmental issues. Gotham Gazette 'is brought to you by Citizens Union Foundation, It is made possible by a grants from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Altman Foundation, the Fund for the City of New York, the Jo'hn S. and James L. Knight Foundation, New York Times Foundation,, the Charlies H, Revson Foundation, 1 the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and readers like you. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution. Gotham Gazette - htfp:/Iwww.gotihamigazette.comlartielie/parkOOD90624/14/2949 14 B-6 208925v4