In August 2014, Seattle voters approved a new way to pay for parks, the Seattle Park District – a permanent taxing authority with the power to raise more money than an expiring levy.
So how does the Park District work? Which Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities and programs will benefit and why? What role does public input play in the process?
Host Brian Callanan talks with Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jesús Aguirre, community and business leaders, park volunteers and park users to examine the investments of the Park District in a new Seattle Channel series, The Seattle Park District – Investing in People and Parks. The series kicks off with three segments.
2016 is the first full year of implementation of the Park District, which provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding for Seattle Parks and Recreation, including maintenance of parklands and facilities, operation of community centers and recreation programs, and development of new neighborhood parks on previously acquired sites.
Maintaining Our Parks
The Seattle Park District provides critical funding to pay for a backlog of maintenance projects. We take a look at investments in infrastructure, cleanup and park safety and consider the challenges facing Seattle Parks and Recreation.
Programs for People
What’s the best way to make sure people of all backgrounds and all abilities are accessing our parks? How can activity in our parks impact the health of our community? Find out with a look at the Programs for People initiative of the Seattle Park District.
Building for the Future
Property taxes collected by the Park District have will fund new facilities on sites purchased through the previous levy system. See how new neighborhood parks and facilities are taking shape across Seattle.
The Seattle City Council is the Seattle Park District governing board. Parks and Recreation will conduct a community-oriented process to determine spending priorities every six years through the life of the Park District. The Department of Parks and Recreation provided funding support for The Seattle Park District: Investing in People and Parks.
