I did see this question [in the 2009 Goals list] and thought that I would answer how I could.
 
How is the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks different from Metro Parks? 
 
        Columbus Rec & Parks                                     MetroParks
        City owned                                                       County owned
        General Fund Tax Dollars                                Bond Levy Tax Dollars
        Budget determined by City Council                 Budget determined by voters
        2009 Budget     $27,268,846 (proposed)        2009 Budget $39,873,000
        $6,567,778 from Revenue not taxes               $495,000 from Revenue not taxes
        403 Parkland Areas                                         17 Parkland areas              
        Employees 269 FT        ? PT                            Employees 143 FT, 116 PT
        28 Rec Ctrs, 2 Senior Ctrs,                             2 Nature Centers 3 Lodges
        6 althletic complexes,                                    1 Historical farm
        1 Nature Center, 11 pools
        Broad Recreational spectrum                         Mostly “passive” recreation
 
 
As you can quickly see, the City Rec & Parks has a LOT more in responsibilities, buildings and parkland but half the amount of tax funding – especially when you account for the revenue that the programs bring in to survive.
 
Unfortunately, most people think that when they vote for the MetroParks bond levy that they are voting for the City Parks to get funding – because there is such confusion about who is who.  But that is not the case.  The City Funding comes from the 2% income tax which is split between all the different departments (with Police and fire taking ~70% of the Gen Fund tax $ and Rec and Parks taking 4%).
 
Many people also thought that they voted for the Rec & Parks to get money last Fall with the bond issues. However that was for bricks and mortar CIP projects not for operating costs.
 
Hope this helps.
Elayna Grody