Less Than Half

It appears that the Jackson Township park system is in pretty good shape. One would assume that Jackson Township spends quite a bit more on parks and recreation than Massillon does.

Let's examine this. The Massillon Parks and Recreation tax, passed by the voters of Massillon in 1995, generates a little over 2.2 million dollars a year. Of course, two million, two hundred thousand dollars ain't what it used to be, so the City started charging our community youth organizations, such as little league, and girls softball to use these facilities. Unfortunately for them, it does not appear that adequate resources have been spent on basic upkeep and maintenance of the parks and fields funded by our tax dollars, and their fees.

Over in Jackson Township, one might guess those community youth organizations spend a fortune to use their facilities. They do not. According to the Jackson Township website, they pay nothing. That's right, nothing. It is in the rules of the Jackson Township Parks and Recreation Department.

SECTION 101.17 - USE OF PARK FACILITIES; RECREATIONAL FIELDS/COURTS
No Charge;
Jackson Township Residents
Jackson Township Employees
Non-profit Organizations

No charge? Well, there probably is not a user fee because the Jackson Parks and Recreation Department must be huge. It must be staggering. They must spend millions and millions of dollars.

They do not. They spend less than half of what Massillon does. Less than half. According to the 2010 fiscal office report on the Jackson Township website, they will spend $1,036,943. A little over one million dollars. Less than half.