Assemblywoman Fiona Ma: How Do We Finance GG Park?

When San Franciscans committed to improving our neighborhood parks through local bond measures and charter amendments got together, an important question came up: What is the role of Golden Gate Park as a resource not just for west side neighbors, but for the region as a whole?

At more than 1,000 acres, Golden Gate Park is larger than New York's Central Park, and attracts 13 million visitors a year, making it America's third most visited city park. Since the 1860s, our desire for a world-class park in our world-class City has endured.

There is no question that the incredible work of improving Golden Gate Park is yielding results. A rebuilt M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, a new Conservatory of Flowers and our wonderful Academy of Sciences are jewels in the crown of this incredible regional resource.

The local philanthropic community and community volunteers have pitched in when there weren't enough resources, both with financial assistance and community service, to make the institutions what they are today.

Although there has been much private generosity, it is becoming increasingly clear that the public sector must step up to build on our successes and fund our future. Even though $12 million in ongoing projects funded by state Proposition 40 are making a difference, there are nearly $500 million in deferred capital needs facing the park. If we value Golden Gate Park and maintaining it at a high quality, we must develop a dedicated and secure revenue source.

How, in tough economic times, might we accomplish such a feat?

Our neighbors across California have discovered an innovative financing tool: the regional park district. In the East Bay and on the Peninsula, regional park districts are successfully funding our open spaces. Since these districts rely upon property tax assessments and special levies, they are more immune from budget cuts than would usually be the case. After all, California property taxes are fairly stable and generally on the rise, even in tough times.

One of the major obstacles to San Francisco adopting a regional park district and renewing our public commitment to parks and open space is that state law about regional parks is silent on San Francisco. As the only city and county in California, and in a region where our neighbors have already acted, legislative action may be needed to adopt the best park planning and finance practices in our region.

Over the course of the next few months, I will be facilitating a conversation with stakeholders to identify win-win solutions that protect and increase funding for this regional treasure. I hope you'll share your thoughts by writing me at 455 Golden Gate Ave., Suite 14600, San Francisco, CA 94103 or at my Web site at www.assembly.ca.gov/ma.

Join with me in preserving the progress we have won.

Assembly Majority Whip Fiona Ma represents the 12th District.