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Q&A
Discussion on funding and strategy for urban park rangers
3:56:19
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86 sec
Council Member Yusef Salaam inquires about the long-term strategy for sustaining the 50 additional urban park ranger positions funded by a one-shot $4.1 million allocation in fiscal year 2026. Commissioner Sue Donoghue responds by acknowledging the importance of these positions and explaining their current funding situation.
- Donoghue emphasizes the critical role of rangers and park staff, especially in high-need areas
- She mentions that the positions have been funded on a one-shot basis each year
- Donoghue highlights the partnership with the police department in ensuring park safety
Yusef Salaam
3:56:19
I have a question about the budget item with regards to park rangers and public safety.
3:56:27
Given the one shot nature of the $4,100,000 allocated for the 50 additional urban park rangers in fiscal year twenty six, what long term strategy does the administration have to baseline and sustain these positions to ensure consistent park safety and programming, especially in under resourced communities like mine?
Sue Donoghue
3:56:47
Thank you for your question, and also thank you for recognizing the critical importance of our rangers and our park staff.
3:56:56
We work really hard and we have a very dedicated group of park rangers and PEP staff that is very focused on areas of high need, and that's how distribute.
3:57:08
We try and equitably distribute our park enforcement patrol staff where they're needed most.
3:57:18
We were very happy to know that we got the one shot funding.
3:57:23
This has been the case each year that these have been funded on a one shot basis.
3:57:28
We understand their importance.
3:57:30
As I said earlier, it's also we feel it's very much a partnership with PD.
3:57:35
We work very closely and hand in hand with PD to help ensure safety in our parks, but we recognize the important role that they play absolutely.