Staff Shortage Leaves Hartford City Parks Chasing Winter Work
From the Hartford City Parks Board meeting on October 13, 2026
Hartford City Parks Superintendent said they are trying to close out the season and winterize facilities while operating, in Dustin George's words, with only "one and a half people."
George told the board the department still has to finish painting and other end-of-season work across the pool, concession areas, trails, dog park, playgrounds, shelters and other properties. He said staff still hoped to install mulch at King Park but needed help from other city departments for heavy equipment, and he expected to ask Sheriff Jim Heflin again about inmate labor.
George said park rentals at Hoover and Sigma shelters should wrap up before the system closes for the season on Oct. 26. Board members discussed making sure the clerk's office stops taking new reservations after that date.
He also said camera installation appears to have cut vandalism compared with the same period last year, and that the department's hybrid Maverick truck had saved more than $1,000 in fuel this year based on his calculations.
Source: Meeting transcript — Hartford City - Parks Board Meeting - October 13, 2026
Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.
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