YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Mill Creek MetroParks announces a reorganization with several position eliminations.

At Fellows Riverside Gardens, Keith Kaiser was packing his car after being informed that his position as Director of Horticulture was being eliminated.

Kaiser, who joined Mill Creek MetroParks in 1989 chose not to comment.

The park's director says the reorganization comes after a 12-month evaluation of internal operations. 

"To review and consider how we operate on a daily basis and how we can become more organized and more efficient," said Aaron Young, Executive Director 

Eight positions were eliminated, primarily in middle management; five in park operations, two in horticulture and one in recreation and education.

Young says those affected were given options.

"We either offered them severance as part of that elimination and/or another position within the MetroParks," Young said.  

The director says the reorganization and staff reductions were needed for the parks long term viability.

He says the projected goal is to save approximately $13 million toward a projected $15 million capital improvement shortfall.

"The overall adjustments are going to represent nearly $890,000 per year,".

Young says it's a matter of staying true to the voters who supported the park's 1.75 mill renewal levy and a .25 mill additional levy.

"Part of what we did today was maintaining our promise to the community that we would be good stewards of their taxpayers dollars," said Young.

The director said eliminating jobs is a difficult thing to do. He thanked all the affected employees for their contributions to the MetroParks and said he certainly wishes them nothing but the best going forward.