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Politics & Government

County Parks Goal: Fully Operational in Five Years

The goal is simple, tranform every park and facility--and find a way to be more self-funding.


Towering redwood groves, popular windsurfing spots and packed youth sports fields. San Mateo County Parks have it all--and supervisors want even more.

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Tuesday directed staff to come up with a five year plan to transform the parks system. Not that it's bad, they just want it to be better.

Ideas include adding tent camping at the Medium Security Facility in La Honda, adding sports fields at Coyote Point, and enhancing concessions at both Memorial Park and Coyote Point.

Supervisors directed staff to come up with a five year plan to phase-in enhancements. Revenue generating operations will be part of the mix.

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Parks director Jim Porter told Patch, "San Mateo County Parks offer our residents and visitors an opportunity to experience redwood groves, marine reserves on the coast, take in views of the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay, and hike and camp in some of the most scenic environments on the planet. The County puts great value in our Parks system and is working to enhance the visitor experience as we move forward."

According to Porter, the majority of this year's $8.4 million parks budget comes from the general fund. Last week, supervisors placed a half-cent sales tax increase on the November ballot. Money raised by the tax hike would go into the general fund.

Find out what's happening in Redwood City-Woodsidewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Porter will report back to supervisors by the end of the year.

 

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