Due to lost revenues and COVID-19 related budget cuts, the city of Mercer Island had to scale back parks maintenance staff significantly several months ago.

In a typical year, nine full-time year-long employees and 10 full-time seasonal staff together provide service for the city’s parks.

In 2020, there are only eight total full-time staff to cover all the tasks.

During a typical summer, seasonal staff handles daily tasks in parks, including emptying garbage, picking up litter, cleaning restrooms and more. But for the summer of 2021, those tasks are being performed by the year-round staff.

This leaves limited time for the more detailed park upkeep, and there is no weekend staffing currently available.

Out of necessity, staff prioritize COVID-related work first, such as additional signage, maintaining facility closures, performing extra sanitation measures, etc. After that, they focus on critical safety-related issues, then turn to garbage and restrooms. Only after that can they address field rentals and general maintenance, such as mowing and irrigation.

“The city appreciates your understanding that park upkeep may not look like it does in a normal summer — everyone can help by packing out garbage items instead of overflowing the limited trash cans,” states the release.