OFFICIALS JOIN BANDWAGON FOR $2.1 BILLION PARK BOND
SUNDAY, January 9, 2000

-- Area park officials will play lead roles in the effort to win voter approval of Proposition 12 on the March ballot -- a $2.1 billion bond, the largest park bond measure ever attempted in the United States.

If approved, the measure would provide almost $400 million to cities, counties and special districts for acquiring, developing and restoring park facilities.

Another $200 million also could be available in competitive grants and programs requiring partial matching of funds for uses such as youth soccer facilities, playground equipment, trails work and zoo programs.

''This is going to be on the ballot, and they are going to get to look at the overall park and recreation situation in Sacramento County,'' Terry Jewell, administrator of the Sunrise Recreation and Park District, said of the coming effort to galvanize area groups to help pass Proposition 12.

The California Park and Recreation Society, a statewide association of park professionals, is leading efforts for the measure. Jewell will serve as president of the organization this year.

Ron Suter, director of the county Department of Regional Parks, Recreation and Open Space, has volunteered to lead the area effort. He has called on city officials and community leaders to join him for an informational meeting about the issue at 4 p.m. Thursday in Clunie Community Center at McKinley Park.

Jewell and Suter acknowledge that even if the measure passes it will not solve all money problems for park districts. Other long-term solutions are needed, they said.

''I am really concentrating on this because I am hoping that we get a clear mandate from voters that parks are a major quality-of life issue,'' Suter said.

Jewell sat in the conference room at Rusch Park Tuesday afternoon, discussing the importance of such a bond measure, especially for small districts that have aging equipment and deteriorating facilities. As he spoke, he had a view of the Rusch Park swimming pool, an example of facilities that need help.

A pool's lifespan is considered 10 to 20 years, Jewell said, but careful maintenance and necessity have kept the Rusch Park pool going for 30 years.

Bond funding estimates for park districts have been developed for planning purposes only, based on population figures that in some cases are more than 10 years old. Area officials say the figures are good estimates of what districts may eventually receive.

For the Sunrise park district, reroofing the Rusch Park complex is a key need. The job may cost much more than officials originally budgeted.

Approximately $1.5 million, the amount projected for the Sunrise district, which includes Citrus Heights and the Antelope area, is the largest amount for any of the 15 park districts in the Sacramento area.

Other projected amounts include:

* $1.1 million for the Cordova Recreation and Park District.

* $502,000 for the Carmichael Recreation and Park District.

* $395,000 for the Orangevale Recreation and Park District.

* $392,000 for the the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District.

* $784,000 for the Southgate Recreation and Park District.

* $729,000 for the Mission Oaks Recreation and Park District.

* $409,000 for the North Highlands Recreation and Park District.

In addition to money flowing to park districts, the county is pegged to receive about $7.3 million.

Officials could double that amount by successfully competing for money available in many of the bond's grant categories, Suter said.

''That $7.3 million would go a long way,'' Suter said. ''We are looking at making a big dent at Mather Park. Every one of our parks needs road and parking improvements.''

Other areas where the bond money could be used include Dry Creek Parkway, American River Parkway and Elk Grove and Gibson Ranch regional parks.

Suter said the bond money could provide opportunities for counties to work together.

''We need to look at open space on a regional level,'' Suter said.

Park bond money could allow districts to build new facilities or make major renovations.

But the districts will need to plan carefully, as the money will not be available for general maintenance or day-to-day operations.

Often, however, upgrading with new energy-saving equipment such as modern sprinkler systems and energy-efficient building materials can mean long-term savings, said Jewell.

If successful, said Jewell, the bond measure will have an effect on the area economy as districts hire planning consultants, landscapers and construction companies.

''A lot of employment will be generated, not just in the public sector but also in the private sector as a result of this type of infusion,'' Jewell said.

No organized opposition to Proposition 12 has surfaced, Suter said.

The effort has been endorsed by the influential California Taxpayers' Association.

In a statement released recently, Steve Kroes, association vice president, said, ''Cal-Tax endorses Proposition 12 because it is fiscally responsible, it does not raise taxes, and it pays for projects that are important for all Californians.''