Seattle Parks: A sharper tool

Thanks in part to a city audit, Seattle Parks and Recreation has improved its communications with the public. The department is going to need all its new and sharpened tools in the months ahead.

That's because the upcoming expiration of the city's Pro-Parks Levy will force cutbacks in some programs. Park officials say they will begin by listening to city residents at public hearings before shaping any decisions on what will be lost.

The communications review by the City Auditor's office came at the request of City Councilman David Della, who was concerned about a series of parks-neighborhood disagreements. Both the auditor and park offices say the review proved valuable, in part because the two agencies cooperated from the outset.

The issues worrying Della stemmed from new facilities, lights and other improvements. The unfortunate lack of political will in City Hall for a new parks levy will create almost a reverse problem, as the eight-year measure, approved in 2000, finances a number of programs. But good communications can help make the best of a bad situation.