Santa Cruz County Supervisors are considering reductions to the County Parks Department budget this week. The expected 20% budget cuts, which park leaders say come in the wake of years of budget reductions affecting the parks department, are expected to affect nearly every service and most of the 34 parks in the system, resulting in reduced services, increased fees and park closures. General admission at Simpkins Family Swim Center is said to increase by $1 to $6, and organizers say the pool must be closed for 14-days out of the year. Other venues affected include community carnivals at Brommer and Mesa Village Parks, as well as popular Pooches in the Park event in Aptos. Board members are said to approve the cuts Thursday.
