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"70 percent of the Burlington Parks and Recreation budget comes from revenue and officials said rainy weather this season is hurting.\"It's definitely a loss overall,\" said Jesse Bridges, director of the department.He said the weather is cutting into profits.Henry Taylor-McBroom,4, said the rain is cutting into his playtime. He loves racing around Oakledge Park and bargains with his mom for more time outside often.\"I don't feel any rain,\" he exclaims.Bridges wishes more patrons took their chances like the Taylor-McBrooms.\"Just the thought that there could be thundershowers will keep people from coming in,\" said Bridges.Pounding rains have kept beach goers and their money away. Bridges said revenue from sources like parking fees, shelter rentals and beach access in the months of May and June -- were down.\"I would say over the course of this now month-and-a-half of rain that yea, we're probably approaching close to down about $80,000 to 100,000 over the previous year,\" said Bridges.Even when it's not raining, Mother Nature is causing problems. The lake continues to creep up the shore as water levels rise, especially at Blanchard Beach.\"There's really no room for people to be on the beach because the water's right up to the edge,\" said Bridges.Also of concern: water quality. Storms can drum up harmful algae and bacteria in the lake.So far, Bridges said, no beaches in Burlington have been closed because of water conditions, which is helping him be optimistic for a sunny and profitable rest of the season.Little Henry on the other hand is OK taking it one day at a time.\"Yay! Stay outside! Stay outside! Yay!\" he said when asked how he feels when it's not raining.Parks and Rec officials said the inclement weather does mean they're spending less to pay lifeguards and parking attendants, but it's still a net loss.The start of a new fiscal year Monday is helpful, but Bridges said, it's still crucial to generate money in July and August.\u00A0"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.mynbc5.com/article/repeat-rains-put-damper-on-park-beach-profits/3310161>