Santa Cruz County parks closed on Jan. 8. The workers who maintain the parks were laid off in August and December to save the county an estimated $200,000 a year, said Finance Director Jennifer St. John.

County supervisors hope to reopen the parks March 1 with help from community groups to empty garbage and spruce up the grounds. But a stumbling block came up when the supervisors met on Jan. 20.

County Manager Greg Lucero asked the county’s insurance carrier, the Arizona Counties Insurance Pool, if the county could cover the volunteers. The answer was “no.” Each organization would need a certificate of insurance for $1 million to work on county property, Lucero said.

The cost would vary by organization, said Deputy County Manager Carlos Rivera.

In Tubac, the Santa Cruz Valley Citizens Council agreed to take care of Ron Morriss Park, said its president, Rich Bohman. For about $400, the group could add a rider to its policy to cover its park volunteers up to $1 million.

“I would expect the county to step up to the plate and pay for the water and electricity,” Bohman said.

It costs about $475 a year for water and electricity at Ron Morriss Park and water is the larger expense, St. John said. But Robert Damon Park in Rio Rico uses almost $6,000 worth of water and electricity a year.

Supervisor Rudy Molera has met with the Rio Rico Little League and the organization has offered to maintain Damon Park, where its players practice, he said.

“They operate on a tight budget,” Molera said. “I don’t think they can come up with $6,000. I would like to share the cost with these nonprofits.”

If the county continued to pay the utility bills, would it be liable for any injuries to volunteers?

“We would still be liable,” Rivera said. Since the parks supervisor had been laid off the previous week, “we would have to make sure the volunteers are qualified,” he said.

But the only equipment the volunteers would need is lawnmowers, Bohman said. His group could borrow one from the Anza Coalition, he said. “We can make this work.”

Maybe there’s another way to get the utilities covered, said Bill Cox, a member of the county planning and zoning commission. Perhaps the water company and UniSource Energy Services would donate water and electricity, he suggested.

Alfredo Velasquez, county superintendent of schools, offered funds from a grant to help pay the expenses.

“Our kids don’t get a lot of recess time in the schools,” he said. “If it’s allowable (under the grant), I would like to help out with the parks.”

The county is talking with the City of Nogales about taking over a small county park in the Monte Carlo neighborhood, said Supervisor Manuel Ruiz.

“This is a real doable deal,” John Kissinger, deputy city manager, told the Nogales International.

Sonoita

In December, Justice of the Peace Keith Barth said the Mountain Empire Rotary Club would take care of the county ball field in Sonoita.

The supervisors directed county staff to contact utility companies, ask organizations about an insurance rider, and develop a plan by Feb. 17 to reopen the parks on March 1. All three supervisors voted “yes.”