04/19/02  $$ for Green Parks

I hope you've been following the Park Department request for the upcoming Bond Election. 

With a system that needs $1.8 billion just to get fixed, the Park Department request for $130 million is most reasonable.  Everyone is for our parks until it is time for someone to pay for them. 

The department spent $1 million on a study that is unlike any in Dallas City Hall history. We actually have a document that shows us where we are and how to get to where we need to be. The study enables Dallas to catch up if our Council understands that Economic Development and the likes starts with core services be given first to the citizens. 

During the mayor election, everyone talked green parks. I now wonder if now that the election is over we will walk the parks or merely apply another Band-Aid. 

I appreciate the need to take care of the folks who protect us.  I also appreciate the need for better care of animals. If we were to consider man as an animal species (which we are), then would it not stand to reason that we need to take care of our most basic needs. 

The proposed Park Department request only amounts to 7.09% of the Level 1 needs. Level 1 needs are those items necessary to recover the park system. 

There is another factor to be considered.  Unlike any of those "giveaway" deals that Council seems to love, the proposed Park Department Bond Request has a potential of raising over $85 million in private sector/grant funds. That represents a recovery rate of 64 cents on the dollar.  That is an amazing recapture.

I want to make sure those in the know have the correct data to decide what is best for the City.

I'd be interested in what your readers think.