Metro Parks Tacoma is hosting a series of public meetings in March and April, seeking comments on an array of improvement projects that could be funded by a potential future bond measure.

The meetings are part of a far-reaching planning process that began in Dec. 2002 and will conclude early in 2005, mapping out the next 20 years for Tacoma’s park system.

“This is a community-driven process that will result in a shared vision for the future of parks and recreation in Tacoma,” said Jack Wilson, executive director of Metro Parks Tacoma.

In recent years, lack of capital funding and declining revenues at Metro Parks have led to an aging infrastructure, cutbacks in services-even closed parks.

Now Metro Parks is asking the community to share their priorities for parks services as well as ideas for funding.

“It’s critical that we hear from Tacoma residents on what they would like to see happen in their neighborhoods and in our larger regional facilities,” Wilson said. “Our challenge is to create a dynamic, financially sustainable parks system that keeps pace with the changing needs of Tacoma residents.”

The schedule is as follows:

– Thursday, March 11; 2 p.m.-4 p.m.; People’s Center, 1602 MLK Jr. Way.

– Saturday, March 13; 10:30 a.m.-noon; Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S Tyler.

– Tuesday, March 16; 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; Meeker Middle School,4402 Nassau Ave. NE.

– Thursday, March 18; 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; South Park Community Center, 4851 S Tacoma Way.

– Tuesday, April 6; 2 p.m.-4 p.m.; Titlow Lodge, 8425 6th Ave.

– Wednesday, April 7; 7:30 a.m.-9a.m.; Tacoma Nature Center,1919 S. Tyler.

– Thursday, April 8; 2 p.m.-4 p.m.; People’s Center,1602 MLK Jr. Way.

– Saturday, April 10; 10:30 a.m.-noon; Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S Tyler.

– Tuesday, April 13; 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; Centre at Norpoint, 4818 Nassau Ave. NE.

– Thursday, April 15; 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; South Park Community Center, 4851 S. Tacoma Way.