Parks & Rec faces austerity, growing theft and vandalism

The Division of Parks & Recreation is bracing for staggered work schedules and limited manpower starting Oct. 20, even as it takes on additional responsibilities with no operational budget while dealing with garbage, theft, and vandalism at public parks and beaches.

Division director Michael Cruz said the austerity measures will make it harder for his office to maintain recreational facilities and tourist sites across Saipan, especially with the transfer of the Department of Public Works’ Roads and Grounds operations to his division.

“It’s gonna hurt us because our scope of work is too wide,” Cruz told Marianas Press.

He said the division has begun practicing staggered schedules ahead of the Oct. 20 implementation to ensure essential maintenance continues despite reduced working hours.

Cruz said his division maintains parks, beaches, and tourist sites, while the transfer of Roads and Grounds will add maintenance of primary roads to its responsibilities.

“We have zero operational budget,” he said.

Cruz explained that government funding covers personnel expenses, while the division relies on permit fees from cemeteries and recreational facilities to buy materials and supplies.

Despite these limitations, he said employees continue cutting grass, collecting garbage, and repairing public facilities damaged by Super Typhoon Sinlaku and subsequent storms.

Adding to the division's problems are theft and vandalism, including the recent disappearance of solar panels and other electrical equipment from the pavilion right next to the 13 Fishermen Memorial in Garapan.

Cruz said a contractor notified him last Oct. 13 that the solar panels were missing.

An inventory after the typhoon showed that five of the pavilion's six solar panels had survived the storm. However, a subsequent inspection found all five remaining panels missing, along with the inverter and battery.

“Even the inverter’s gone, the battery’s gone. Nothing is left from that pavilion,” Cruz said.

He said the federally funded equipment would cost thousands of dollars to replace, although he could not provide an exact amount.

The incident has been reported to the Department of Public Safety, with Cruz requesting additional police patrols because park rangers cannot monitor recreational facilities around the clock.

He also expressed hope that nearby security cameras could help authorities identify those responsible.

“Man, I just hope that people stop vandalizing our public spaces because this is not cheap,” he said.

Garbage has also become a persistent problem, with maintenance crews spending considerable time cleaning up trash left by visitors at beach pavilions and other public facilities.

Cruz said the situation has worsened because many garbage drums were damaged or blown away during Sinlaku, leaving the division struggling to acquire replacements.

“Please take it with you if there’s no bin,” he appealed to beachgoers.

Cruz also raised concerns over unauthorized sand removal at Pakpak Beach, where sand dredged from Smiling Cove Marina had been deposited for beach nourishment.

He said the division received photographs of two incidents involving vehicles loading sand at the beach.

The first, involving a trailer about a week earlier, was unauthorized and has been reported to police.

The second, involving a flatbed truck on Oct. 13, was later determined to be sand being moved to a new playground within the same recreational area. Cruz said the contractor should nevertheless have notified his office.

He explained that sand deposited at government facilities cannot be taken without approval because its use and destination must comply with environmental permits.

Beach sand may be used for certain cultural purposes, including burials, but the necessary authorization must first be obtained.

“There’s a process for it,” Cruz said.

He urged residents needing sand to contact Parks & Recreation rather than remove it without permission. Pakpak Beach remains closed to the public while construction continues.

Meanwhile, Cruz said the division continues repairing recreational facilities damaged by storms, including pavilions and beach shelters.

Three replacement pavilions have been built at Obyan Beach following the destruction of four structures during Typhoon Sinlaku. Additional shelters are needed at Paupau Beach and San Antonio, among other locations.

The division is also seeking funding for permanent repairs and is willing to provide available lumber to help community groups and lawmakers repair damaged school bus stops, subject to coordination with the responsible agencies.

Despite austerity and limited resources, Cruz said his employees remain committed to maintaining public facilities but need residents to help protect them.

“We need to take care of what we have right now because right now we’re, like the governor said, we’re scraping the bottom of the barrel,” he said.

Residents may report concerns or request assistance from Parks & Recreation at (670) 234-7405.