SANDUSKY — Sandusky’s most prominent, and arguably its prettiest, park seems a bit barren, and thus largely unappealing, these days.

In Washington Park, city crews left flowerbeds devoid of vibrant vegetation. They even leveled a mound. Mounds left standing, meanwhile, lack the charming greenery normally accompanying these features.

And while the floral clock continues to display accurate time, minute-by-minute, it's missing many other decorative features normally accompanying this display. Most notably, crews haven't been updating the date, located underneath the clock, on a daily basis as they typically would in years past.

Many community members took to social media, where they vented their frustrations.

“This is beyond ridiculous,” Nancy Long Beach wrote. “There is no reason for this. Who’s brilliant idea was this? Those beautiful mounds that our citizens have enjoyed for years and years. Shame on somebody.”

Many wanted an explanation, and city public works director Aaron Klein provided the Register with one.

“Unfortunately, in response to looming budget cuts and elimination of seasonal employees resulting from COVID-19, the city administration and greenhouse staff jointly developed a plan to prioritize plantings and landscaping features throughout all of the city’s properties,” Klein said. “The goal was to spread our current resources to ensure residents citywide could enjoy their neighborhood parks as much as possible.”

Klein then answered more specific questions about Washington Park:

• On flowerbeds: The ongoing pandemic and budget crunch “has resulted in eliminating a few flowerbeds throughout most parks in the city and delaying the plantings of others (including in Washington Park).”

• On mounds: “Based on one recommendation, this also included (the) elimination of one mound in Washington Park. The mounds that typically accommodate advertisements will not be planted this year. The time to design, plan and install is extensive so we cannot do it this year.”

• On the floral clock: “We are starting that and Veterans (Memorial) Park this week. The goal is to get Veterans Park as much as possible before Memorial Day. The clock is not getting fully planted this week. But we’d continue (to do it) next week.”

• On citywide plantings: “Although the flowers may not be to the same levels, as in the past couple of years, this plan should allow the city to continue to provide beautifully landscaped facilities.”

• On the city’s commitment: “I assure you that the employees’ efforts and commitments to this plan are still as strong as ever. We will be able to adjust our efforts accordingly. I also want to thank the volunteers that have stepped up this year with minimal oversight as well as the many volunteers that have continued to serve in our parks for the city we all love.”