A $60 million parks improvement bond measure will go before Tacoma citizens in the November 2004 election, as approved by the Metro Parks Board of Commissioners at its June 14 meeting.

The measure includes:

– $35 million for safety improvements, renovations and upgrades to neighborhood parks, playgrounds, community centers and athletic facilities;

– $17.5 million for Point Defiance Park and Ruston Way improvements; and

– $7.5 million to refinance existing debt.

If approved by Tacoma voters, the measure would add $18 per year in property taxes for owners of a $150,000 home. The last time a capital bond measure was passed for Tacoma parks was in 1986.

For more information or a complete list of improvement projects included in the bond measure, call 253/305-1059 or visit www.metroparkstacoma.org.
Founded in 1907, Metro Parks Tacoma manages more than 80 parks, seven community centers, five swimming pools, three sports complexes, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Meadow Park Golf Course, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, Boathouse Marina and the Tacoma Nature Center at Snake Lake.

Metro Parks Tacoma is a separate public agency from the City of Tacoma.