FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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PARKS FOR THE FUTURE By Julia Bott It’s official! The Parks for the Future measure is on the June 3, 2008 ballot (its letter designation will not be assigned until March 15). Parks for the Future is a one-eighth cent sales tax to provide a dedicated source of funding for city and county parks, the Ladera and Highlands Recreation Districts, and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. San Mateo County Parks, the only county or regional park agency in the Bay Area without a source of dedicated funds, will essentially have its budget doubled by the measure. Additionally, the measure requires the county to maintain its existing general fund revenues to the Parks Department’s budget, with adjustments for inflation, so that gains in its budget are guaranteed. This new money will provide additional ranger positions and a resource management position, will facilitate the opening of regional trail connections, and will help the Parks Department to manage existing lands and potential future acquisitions. On the November 2006 ballot, this measure, known as Measure A, received a robust majority 55% approval, but fell short of the necessary two-thirds super majority. Several factors worked against the measure: lower voter turnout than predicted, aggressive anti-tax campaigns against state-wide cigarette and oil taxes, and placement at the end of an extraordinarily long four-page ballot filled with expensive state measures. Today we know two things: our local parks and open spaces still desperately need dedicated funding, and the successful passage of the measure this June depends upon a well-funded effort with strong community involvement. Parks for the Future needs you to get involved in the grassroots campaign. In between visits to Edgewood this spring, spend some time “sowing the seeds” for future funding by calling the campaign at (650) 321-1638 or going to www.parksforthefuture.org. |
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