Councilmembers Release Poll on Parks Levy
Sixty-seven percent of Seattleites favor continuation of Pro Parks Levy
Seattle - Council President Richard Conlin and Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, chair of the Parks and Seattle Center Committee, and Councilmember Tim Burgess, today, released the results of a poll about the continuation of the Pro Parks Levy. Sixty-seven percent of those polled favor a continuation of the Pro Parks Levy to fund the purchase of open space and the development of parks throughout Seattle. Councilmember Rasmussen said, “A strong majority of the people of this city want to continue the good work of the park levy and we intend to respond to their wishes.” Council President Conlin said, “Growth is not taking a break in the city, so we can’t take a break in developing open space and parks.” Councilmember Burgess said “We cannot idly sit by while our city is rapidly developed, and not augment our parks and open space. A key component of Seattle’s livability is our network of parks, open space, and recreation facilities.”
The current Pro Parks Levy, approved by voters in 2000, will expire this year. The Levy provided for the acquisition of 42 acres of open space, including 15 new neighborhood parks, and funded 70 park development projects, including habitat restoration, athletic field improvements, and city trails. Councilmember Tom Rasmussen said, “As neighborhoods around the city become more and more dense, the call for more parks and open space gets louder and louder. That urgency is reflected in these poll results.” Council President Conlin said, “The poll shows that Seattleites want to invest in open space and parks. Land isn’t getting any cheaper; the time to act is now.”
