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Kent County parks department reports record earned revenue, details Greenway and dog‑park projects
Summary
Parks director Ben Swayze reported that the department manages 43 parks across about 8,000 acres, achieved roughly $3.3 million in earned revenue in 2024 (about 45% cost recovery), and outlined multi‑year Greenway construction and a 10‑acre Wallfield dog park planned for 2026.
Ben Swayze, director of Kent County Parks, told the Operation and Policy Committee that the county maintains 43 parks and green spaces covering almost 8,000 acres and manages 109 miles of regional and park trails.
Swayze said the department’s 2024 operating budget was about $7,500,000 and that earned revenue — from Kaufman Golf Course, Wabasis Campground, Millennium Park Beach and facility rentals — reached a record $3,300,000 in 2024, representing just over 45% of operating budget in that year. He cautioned that a 2023 spike reflected a nine‑month budget anomaly but said the department normally recovers 40–50% of costs through earned revenue.
Swayze highlighted volunteer…
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