Rec & Parks warns of layoffs and service cuts; seeks to preserve childcare, maintenance and a successor to Prop K

The Department of Recreation and Parks told the City Budget and Finance Committee on May 2 that the mayor's proposed budget would eliminate 192 full-time positions and reduce expense funding by about $5.8 million, a package the department said would sharply curtail core services from park maintenance to aquatics and youth programs.

Why this matters: Recreation and Parks operates more than 400 facilities and programs that provide recreation, childcare, open-space maintenance and community services. Reductions in staffing and expense accounts would affect program availability, maintenance response times and services for low-income communities.

Department summary and alternate proposal: General Manager Jimmy Kim said the deletions equate to about $20 million in reductions; 11 of the eliminated positions are filled and could trigger displacement or layoffs. As an alternative the department proposed reducing part-time and "as-needed" salary…