[worst-case scenario]

How exactly does a privatized park, as opposed to a public park, work? Does the government give a contract to the cheapest bidder for park management?

If the government doesn’t pay to build public parks, then would they belong to the construction company, who would rent out use of the managed facility?

Or would the private company own the facility outright, and charge the users? Do you need a paid badge to enter? Or do you pay an admission fee?

That would certainly make sure that rich kids don’t have to play with the hoi-polloi.

But then they aren’t “public” parks.

[SnakeDoctor]

A private entity owns it. You either pay to get in — or you donate to a charity that runs the park and allows free admission.

If people value the parks, they will voluntarily pay for their continuation. If the public does not value them ... who cares if they close?

SnakeDoc

[SnakeDoctor]

>> But then they aren’t “public” parks.

So what? Why is public better than private with regard to parks ... but private better than public with regard to healthcare?

Fundamentally, the public pays one way or another. Taxes, admission or charity.

(1) Taxes are involuntary and charge people who may not use the service so that others (including some non-payers) can use the service.

(2) The other two are completely voluntary. Admission fees charge the user of the service for its use (duh). Charity charges voluntary givers that wish to fund parks for people who cannot or will not pay.

Those seem like better options than forcing people to pay whether they like it or not.

SnakeDoc

[Publius Valerius]

How exactly does a privatized park, as opposed to a public park, work? Does the government give a contract to the cheapest bidder for park management?

My hometown, Indianapolis, has privately run parks. Once upon a time, the city used to run golf courses as part of its park system, but about 15 years ago, it contracted out the management of the golf courses to private companies. It's worked pretty well, at least from this user's perspective (the courses have been much better maintained since they went private). Here's a brief article discussing the contract, which was recently up for renewal.

http://www.ibj.com/city-ready-to-award-new-golf-contracts/PARAMS/article/15212