Question 1

What is Measure SP?

Accepted Answer

Measure SP means Safe Parks for LA. Measure SP is a ballot measure on the upcoming November 8 City ballot to provide needed funding for local parks and programs to make sure parks and rec centers are safe for all of us.

Question 2

Why is Measure SP so urgent?

Accepted Answer

Our parks play a vital role in the health and safety of our community. More than 100,000 kids rely on afterschool and summer programs at our public parks, but current levels of funding are inadequate to maintain these vital programs to keep kids safe and out of trouble. Measure SP supports these programs, which are critical to reducing gang activity (great article on this issue).

We also must address homelessness in our parks, help fight ongoing drought through water conservation, and maintain safe drinking water at our parks and recreation centers.

A 2018 LA City Parks Condition Assessment Report identified $2.1 billion in urgent needs. Too many local parks and recreation centers suffer from asbestos, mold, leaky roofs, lack of safe drinking water, termite damage, decaying walls, bad plumbing, old gas and sewer lines, unsafe lighting, and restrooms. Too many are not accessible for people with disabilities, and often for senior citizens.

Worst of all, existing funding for our local parks, last approved by voters in 1996, will expire soon if not renewed – leaving no dedicated source of funding to maintain our programs, parks and recreation centers.

Question 3

What prompted the City to place Measure SP on the ballot now?

Accepted Answer

The City has been working for several years to thoroughly assess needs at our neighborhood parks and develop a funding plan to address them.

In 2015-16, the City participated in LA County’s Park Needs Assessment which identified significant need within the City of LA’s park system.  The assessment found that 80% of the City of LA’s parks are in either fair or poor condition, with a significant backlog of improvements, and are in need of repairs/upgrades. Unfortunately, many of those problems are even worse today.

In 2018, the City conducted its own Parks Condition Assessment Report summarizing the site conditions and recommended improvements for all parklands owned by the City. The 2018 report provides an assessment of over 16,000 acres of parkland at 559 park sites in the City, including regional parks, recreation centers, pools, senior centers, lakes, trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds. The overall funding need is estimated at $4.6 billion, which includes the $2.7 billion for the rehabilitation of existing facilities, $1.9 billion for the development of new facilities, and $43 million in the annual cost of operations and maintenance of new facilities.

In the meantime, we have seen cuts to childcare, gang diversion programs and other programs that make funding even more urgent today.

Question 4

How can I learn about park needs in my neighborhood?

Accepted Answer

The LA Countywide Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment report details parks needs by neighborhood with this interactive map.

Question 5

How will Measure SP address homelessness in our parks?

Accepted Answer

Measure SP will help make sure neighbors and families feel safe using our parks.

Measure SP includes funding to partner with non-profits, religious organizations, and other government services to humanely address homelessness in our parks by connecting those in need with appropriate support services.

Question 6

Didn’t the County pass a parks funding measure in 2016?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Measure A has addressed some of the needs throughout all of LA County; however, the City of Los Angeles only receives approximately $4-6 million/year  from Measure A, a fraction of what is needed to make our parks safe and maintain the youth, senior and afterschool programs needed in our communities.

Not only do we have a park shortage, we also have a significant backlog of repairs. We must provide safe places for children to play, but there is no funding to replace playgrounds where outdated equipment is unsafe; bathrooms are inoperable; landscaping is nonexistent or water-inefficient, and homeless encampments have become the norm.

Question 7

How Measure SP funds be spent?

Accepted Answer

Funding will be focused on upgrades/safety, programming, and staffing, providing funding for park repairs and rehabilitation, park rangers, and programs such as sports and youth recreation programs, childcare, and senior services. All these programs are at risk of budget cuts without Measure SP. In addition, parks are the single most important asset we have for cleaning and retaining precious water runoff during storms. 
Measure SP will generate approximately $200 million/year to:
Address unsafe conditions at neighborhood parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, senior centers, and other facilities to keep us safe as well.
Maintain youth and senior programs
Humanely address homelessness in our parks by connecting those in need with support services
Help fight ongoing drought and protect water quality and maintain safe drinking water at parks and recreation centers
Clean up our parks, beaches, and natural areas, keeping trash and pollutants out of local creeks, rivers, lakes, coastal waters, and beaches and preventing contamination of our critical local groundwater
Save money and help protect our scarce local drinking water supplies, through water conservation, including drought-tolerant plants and increased use of recycled water for playfields, landscaping, grass, and natural areas
Improve equity in our City by making sure poor and underserved areas also have access to safe, clean parks and recreation opportunities

Question 8

Will be there be public input to determine Measure SP expenditures?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. Measure SP includes a Citizen Oversight Committee that will make recommendations to City Council for spending priorities. In addition, all expenditures will be subject to public meetings and transparent, open discussion.

Question 9

How much will Measure SP cost?

Accepted Answer

The average homeowner will pay less than $100/year, through a parcel tax of $0.08414 per square foot on improved parcels. The rate will be reduced to about $25/year ($0.0222 per square foot) upon completion of certain programs or in 30 years.

Measure SP will generate approximately $227 million annually in locally controlled funds, to be used only for parks and recreation in the City of LA. No funds can be taken by the State or County or used for any other purpose.

Question 10

Are there exemptions for low-income households?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Low-income households/families, low-income seniors are exempt, as are non-profit organizations.

Question 11

What is the income threshold for exempt households?

Accepted Answer

The FY 2022 Income Limits for Low Income (80% of area median income)
Number of Persons	Low Income 80% of Median
1					$66,750
2					$76,250
3					$85,800
4					$95,300
5					$102,950
6					$110,550
7					$118,200
8					$125,800

Question 12

Is there any public oversight in the planning and reporting of Measure SP expenditures?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Measure SP includes a Citizen’s Oversight Committee, which will be involved in both the planning for expenditures and the oversight of Measure SP funds. In addition, public disclosure of all City spending is required.

Question 13

Have LA City voters approved dedicated funding for parks and recreation before?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In 1996, city voters approved Prop K, a park bond measure, to increase and enhance park and recreation space in the city. Prop K generates $25 million per year for acquisition, improvement, construction and maintenance of City parks and recreation facilities. Prop K funding will expire soon if we don’t renew it, which is part of the reason Measure SP is so important today.

Frequently Asked Questions