Looking on the bright side, Street told a meeting of the Friends of Philadelphia Parks that "absent some kind of natural disaster, there will be no reduction in funding for the parks."

Katz adopted the same position, although he added that as mayor he would propose to lead a private fund-raising drive for the parks that would, he hoped, generate money for long-term projects and for added operating funds.

The candidates spoke at a forum at the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Street also said that as mayor he would seek private and government grants for the parks.

The budget of the 8,900-acre Fairmount Park has been frozen for about 15 years. It is about $13 million, including $1 million that goes to maintain street trees.

On another controversial issue, deer hunting, both candidates said they favored the proposed controlled hunt in the park to cull the growing and destructive deer herd. However, both candidates said they were aware of the opposition of animal rights supporters to the controlled hunt.

Street and Katz each indicated that as mayor he would be willing to review any facts or arguments against controlled hunting that animal rights supporters might present.