Tight government budgets may bring closed pools and longer grass in the parks this summer, says the St. Cloud Times.

Parks and recreation budgets are taking a hit as many local governments trim “optional” services they aren’t required by law to provide, such as parks, rather than critical services like public safety and road maintenance.

For example, St. Cloud’s Recreation Department must cut $400,000 from its $1.6 million 2009 budget. A large part of that will come from closing four of the city’s wading pools and not hiring 20 lifeguards.

Other cities are canceling summer recreation programs or relying more on volunteers to help with upkeep.

The culprits: the state’s $4.6 billion budget deficit — and the resulting cuts in local government aid — along with sinking property tax revenue caused by a lack of new construction and declining property values.

“Some things just might not get done,” said Monty Headley, administrator of Benton County, which is hiring half as many seasonal park workers as last year. “We want folks to have the best experience possible when they come to the parks and not find a garbage can full of dirty garbage … But I think it’s reasonable that people will notice a difference.”