KENNER, LA (AP) — The Kenner City Council may allow private organizations to take control of city playgrounds.
The Times-Picayune’s Ben Myers reports the council passed an ordinance Thursday that would allow the city to designate existing playgrounds as "sports academies" where children receive professional training in individual sports.
Councilman Dominick Impastato, who sponsored the ordinance, said the change could allow the city to better deal with maintaining the parks, especially since Kenner recreational leagues have seen significant participation declines in team sports. By handling the maintenance responsibilities, private sports organizations would be able to retain exclusive rights in parks where participation has been especially lagging.
Recreation director Ken Marroccoli said an administrative review of other options, as well as a public vetting of future plans, will both take place before any re-designation occurs.
