Say YES to Parks — fund them!
Facts about Parks for the Future
Download our PDF Fact Sheet(5 megabytes).
How can we get parks the funding they need?
Who will benefit?
How much will it cost me?
How will this measure help our kids?
What about the environment?
Is there a list of projects?
How are the projects determined?
How do we know this money will be spent properly?
What will this look like on the ballot?
When will this be on the ballot?
Why do our parks need funding?
When parks decline, so does our quality of life. Funding for local parks and recreation has been cut by millions of dollars throughout San Mateo County.
We need a dedicated funding source to provide basic maintenance and to keep parks open. This funding will allow us to improve the quality and maintenance of local parks, provide after-school and summer programs for children and teens, and preserve more than 75,000 acres of open space.
How can we get parks the funding they need?
With voter approval on the June 2008 ballot of a 1/8-cent sales tax — costing the average resident less than $2/month — we can raise approximately $16 million a year to benefit local parks throughout the county.
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved this, and placed a measure on the June 3, 2008 ballot. With approval from 2/3 of voters, we can secure this critical funding for our local parks.
topWho will benefit?
You will. Local spending on local parks will increase our quality of life, the value of our homes, and the future of our communities. This measure will fund:
- Parks and recreation programs in your community
- After-school and summer programs for children and teens throughout the County
- Youth soccer fields and basketball courts, keeping at-risk youth off the streets, teaching teamwork and building self-esteem.
- The preservation of more than 75,000 acres of open space
- Protection of creeks, shoreline, forests, and wetlands
The funds will be allocated to every city and region in the county, funding every city’s parks and recreation programs, the county parks, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, and the Ladera and Highlands Recreation Districts. Each department can use the funds for the parks and recreation projects they need most.
topHow much will it cost me?
The measure will cost the average person less than $2/month. This small amount will provide critical new funding for local parks, benefiting children, the environment, and our communities.
To see what a small amount this will add to your purchases, use our tax calculator.
topHow will this measure help our kids?
The measure will support after-school and summer programs for children and teens, including youth soccer fields and basketball courts throughout the County. These programs will help keep at-risk youth off the streets, teaching teamwork and building self-esteem.
It will also allow parks department to repair and improve local playgrounds, trails, picnic areas, and restrooms.
What about the environment?
This measure will also help preserve over 75,000 acres of open space in San Mateo County, and also help maintain and preserve local creeks, shoreline, forests, and wetlands.
topIs there a list of projects?
Yes. Click here to see projects that can be supported by Measure O funds. While these examples represent the highest park funding needs now, over time the needs will change as our population changes or as facilities need to be repaired or replaced.
topHow are the projects determined?
Each city prepares a variety of planning documents that are provided to the public to guide the spending of the finite and diminishing dollars available for parks and recreation programs. Your local city will make the decision how to spend your local Measure O funds.
topHow do we know this money will be spent properly?
The ballot measure requires that these funds supplement existing parks funding. In order to get the additional funds, the cities and the County must maintain existing general fund allocations to parks and recreation programs. And an independent citizens’ oversight committee will ensure accountability.
topWhat will this look like on the ballot?
The official title is "San Mateo County 1/8 cent Sales Tax Measure for Parks and Recreation." You can read the entire text of the ballot here.
topWhen will this on the ballot?
topOk, I’m convinced. What can I do to help support our parks?
Vote Yes on this measure on June 3, 2008. To register to vote or request an absentee ballot, visit the Registrar of Voters webpage Let us use your name as an endorser of the measure. Endorse the effort today! Make a donation to Parks for the Future and help us reach more local voters. Help us arrange a presentation to your business, homeowners or service organization. Spread the word.