Parking lots at PHX hiking spots cut hours by Kevin Tripp/KTAR (February 18th, 2010 @ 7:21am)
While the state Parks Board is closing parks around the state, the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is having its own budget crisis.
The city will soon cut back hours of parking lots at popular hiking spots like Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak and South Mountain.
Preserves and trails will remain open, but parking will not be available on Mondays and Tuesdays and after 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
"The current trial budget for the city of Phoenix includes the reduction of 14 park ranger positions," said David Urbinato of the Parks and Recreation Department. "And park rangers in the Parks and Recreation Department control city parks and all our desert and mountain preserves."
Urbinato said the parking lot closures will make it "very difficult" for people who drive to city parks to go hiking.
Phoenix officials are holding public hearings around the city this month on budget proposals. Two hearings were scheduled Thursday night: at the Pecos Community Center, 17010 S. 48th St., and Paradise Valley Community Center, 17402 N. 40th St. Both hearings were to start at 6 p.m.