Next Tuesday, June 24, the Santa Clara City Council will consider adopting an ordinance to require developers to pay fees to provide funding for parks. Please tell the City Council to vote in favor of this ordinance so that Santa Clara will have money to pay for parks.
What You Can Do
- Come to the City Council meeting
next Tuesday, June 24 at 7:00pm at:
City Council Chambers, 1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara - Email the City Council ([email protected])
What’s Happening
Did you know that every other comparable city in Silicon Valley has an ordinance requiring developers of new housing projects significant amounts of money to fund parks for residents, but Santa Clara doesn’t? Last year, most other cities received revenues of over $1 million (San Jose received as much as $24 million), all dedicated to purchasing land for parks and park improvements. Santa Clara received only $895. Development interests are expected to oppose this proposal, so your voice needs to be heard.
Why This is Important
CGF, along with many residents of Santa Clara, is fighting to save Ulistac Natural Area. The City of Santa Clara is considering putting artificial-turf soccer fields right in the middle of Ulistac’s precious native habitat. So far, the strong opposition to this proposal from CGF, other environmental groups, and community members has prevented it from being approved. But, if Santa Clara has no money to buy new land for soccer fields, this increases the odds that the City will decide to use land it already owns – in other words, an existing park like Ulistac.
In addition, Santa Clara’s lack of parks funding has led to the city having the lowest amount of park acreage per capita in the county, according to a recent report. Santa Clara’s residents deserve to have places to get outside and enjoy nature. Parks have been shown to have significant physical and mental health benefits for residents. Increased exercise, reduced stress, and improved quality of life are all benefits that parks bring to a community. In addition, studies have shown that the local economy benefits when a community has plenty of parkland.
Thank you again for your continued support of our local parks.
Sincerely,
Alice Kaufman
Legislative Advocate
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