Independence, Oregon, has closed and fenced off all of its parks, citing insufficient funding, prompting criticism from residents who say families are losing important outdoor spaces. The closures underline the city’s wider budget pressures and follow years of reduced staffing and public services.

Seven parks, including Riverview, Pioneer and the dog park, plus the Heritage Museum, have been shut until further notice. A proposed household fee of about $12.50 a month was halted after being referred to a November ballot; it could raise $938,000, while closures save roughly $41,000 monthly. The city has also cut or left vacant 11 jobs since 2023 and reduced library and council services.