Portland\u27s parks were the responsibility of the city\u27s public works department f

Portland\u27s parks were the responsibility of the city\u27s public works department from 1981 to 1995, and during that time the number of employees maintaining the city\u27s 900 acres of parks, cemeteries, ball fields and playgrounds fell from 122 to 67. City Manager Robert Ganley has proposed a $1.4-million parks budget, which was recommended by the Portland City Council\u27s finance committee. The parks were merged with recreation services to form a new department, and Dana Souza was hired last July as the city\u27s parks operations manager. The parks department has a list of ten projects slated for completion in 1997, including projects at Deering Oaks, Payson Park and on Peaks Island. Details, related editorial