The future of Lang Ranch Park is on hold until Conejo Recreation and Park District finds the money.

And at district playgrounds, grass and trees must wait a little longer between trimmings.

Conejo Recreation and Park District must cut $500,000 from its 2010-11 fiscal year budget, which begins in July, due to lower than expected property tax revenue.

Budgeting relies on predicting the future. Even though property taxes are historically stable, it seems the park district may have overestimated incoming revenues.

The district thought that property taxes, the source of park district funding, would increase 1 percent in 2010-11. Instead, there’s a projected drop of 2 to 3 percent, park district general manager Jim Friedl said.

One hope is that the district’s budget for water might be larger than necessary. A reduction in water use because of the drought, combined with this spring’s wetter weather could produce money for other park needs, Friedl said.

Or cuts could be made by not replacing playground equipment as scheduled, or by trimming the trees and cutting the grass less frequently, he said.

The economy has also affected Lang Ranch Park plans. The district is hoping grant money from the state will provide the $5 million needed to start work on Lang Ranch Park, Friedl said, but any money from state bonds is unlikely to be awarded due to demographics in the Lang Ranch area.

The city has already promised $5 million to the park.

“We clearly don’t have the money to pull the trigger on Lang Ranch Park,” Friedl said.

Lang Ranch residents are driving around town to other parks, using gasoline and adding to traffic because they don’t have a local park, he said.

“We’re keeping it on the to-do list. The Lang Ranch community is owed a park for many years,” Friedl said.

The public can give input before final decisions are made about how to cut back. Residents can speak at the park district’s regular meetings at 7:30 p.m. Thurs., May 6 and Thurs., May 20 at its headquarters, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive.