On April 23, the County Board of Supervisors will consider adoption of the San Mateo County Parks Strategic Plan (updated March 2013). The Staff Report recommends approval of the 5-year plan, and return to a stand-alone County Parks Department (instead of a division of Dept of Public Works). Seven new staff positions would be added: Parks Director, Executive Secretary, a Natural Resource Manager, and 3 new Rangers. Measure A sales tax funding will enable the County to re-open facilities and tackle the backlog of maintenance and capital projects deferred during past years of budget reductions.
UPDATE 4/23/13: The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 23, voted to create a Parks Department and invest more than $4.7 million in park operations and improvements over the next 14 months. The funding will largely come from voter-approved Measure A, a half-cent sales tax that took effect countywide on April 1, and capital improvement funds.
“Our 17 County parks have been neglected far too long,” said Board President Don Horsley. “San Mateo County residents take great pride in our parks and open space and we need to invest in our natural resources for this and future generations.”