A grassroots coalition wants to garner signatures from thousands of San Diego voters to qualify a ballot measure that aims to improve parks and libraries.
The group will begin collecting signatures on June 9 in a community launch event from 1 p.m. through 3 p.m. at North Clairemont Recreation Center. The goal is to collect and submit at least 82,566 signatures from the City of San Diego voters by Dec. 15 in part of the Libraries and Parks For All community initiative.
According to organizers, the Library and Parks Investment Act of 2024 aims to invest at least $250 million in San Diego’s deteriorating public facilities by fixing long-standing issues and historical inequities which have resulted in some communities having access to fewer educational and recreational opportunities.
“If you have ever wanted a better library, a better park, a better community, this ballot measure is for you. We invite you to join us on July 9 to help kickoff our signature collection drive,” said Patrick Stewart, chief executive officer of the Library Foundation SD. “This is our chance to guarantee every San Diegan has access to world-class neighborhood amenities.”
The City of San Diego recently commissioned a Park Amenity Assessment report, which revealed needed investments at a minimum of $200 million to make repairs in order to meet basic health and safety standards. The city would have to spend millions more to meet current building code requirements and modernize and upgrade facilities to ensure accessibility for all.
A diverse and non-partisan group of residents developed the proposal based because they believe public spaces are essential to the health, safety, and overall quality of life of the community. The Library Foundation San Diego and the San Diego Parks Foundation are leading the effort to put the measure on the next presidential election ballot.
Chair of the San Diego Parks Foundation Michel Anderson said this is a step forward to ensuring adequate and ongoing funding for parks and libraries. The measure will use a parcel tax to create a permanent and guaranteed funding source for libraries, parks, and city-owned recreation facilities protected by law from being used for other purposes.
“The community is united behind this ballot measure because these public spaces belong to the public, they belong to you and me, and we deserve better,” Anderson said.
According to organizers, the measure will serve the most underserved communities by providing revenue for academic programs, homeless outreach at parks and libraries, technology and free public Wi-Fi, safety and security improvements, rehabilitating aging facilities, and expanding libraries and parks.
