Ascarate Park Changes

theft is leaving others feeling robbed of a good time! it all comes after two former employees were arrested after tens of thousands of dollars in parking fees were missing. the county implemented changes in policies and standardized ascarate park hours. commissioners also changed how much it costs to enter the park on certain days. “It’s $2 on regular weekend days, and then when there’s a special event, which means an event that attracts $200 people or more, the price goes up to $5. So that’s on holidays and special events.” those fee changes are causing problems for regular users of the park though. abc-7’s andrew j. polk has that side of the story. rick … golfers say they’re one of the biggest supporters of the continued existance of ascarate. but now, they’re feeling squeezed on fees for events they’re not even attending: off the top :18 “It’s not good for my parents who are on scholarships and can’t really pay to come to the program, and then if they’re going to drop of their kids, it’s another five dollars.” kristi albers runs the first tee program, introducing the young and disadvantaged to golf. county commissioner david stout says policies have now been standardized. “Ne policies and procedures for charging and the gate operation hours were to be put in place, and that has happened. On the weekends, the park is open later. “stout says the main things in place now are the policies that will try and prevent employees from even considering fraud in the future. otherwise, workmen are still working to install the fiber optic and other electronic accountability systems that will keep them honest. but the people visting the park say that the biggest problem is the changes in the entry fee, going between $2 and $5 dollars, depending on the day, affecting golfers young and old.” “They’re absolutel outrageous. They make the golfers suffer, and they’re the ones who have supported this park, alright. Without the golfers, Ascarate doesn’t have anything.” joe gallegos, president of the ascarate golf course association, says a boycott is being considered. but stout says something’s in the works. “hopefully in the next couple o weeks, our parks department and public works department will be bringing some recommendations to us in regards to something for frequent users of the park.” “They are working with us but as far as like my parents, until the season pass comes about, i don’t know what’s going to happen.” stout also told me the county should look into putting up a clearer calendar of events… so people coming to the park will know what they’ll pay. rick and estela? an el paso icon back in the borderland today… – after more than