On November 5, 1996 Miami-Dade County voters approved a measure called the Safe Neighborhood Parks Act of 1996 to improve parks and natural areas. The measure was organized by a not-for-profit national organization, the Trust for Public Lands, and was sponsored locally by the Trust for Safe Neighborhood Parks, Inc.

The Trust for Public Lands conducted a survey of Miami-Dade County residents and identified four priority areas: park improvements, neighborhood safety, juvenile crime and quality of life. The Safe Neighborhood Parks Act will fund $200 million in county and municipal park capital improvements--ranging from athletic fields and picnic areas, to upgrades for people with disabilities and beach restoration. Miami-Dade County and each of the 28 municipalities will benefit from the Safe Neighborhood Parks Act.

How Will This Act Benefit Miami-Dade County?
This proposed measure includes funds for specific park, beach, recreation and open-space projects throughout Miami-Dade County to:

• Improve and build recreation and youth sports facilities, including recreation centers and athletic fields
• Offer juvenile recreational activities
• Preserve environmental, greenway and natural areas
• Improve public access to and protection of Biscayne Bay
• Develop and improve senior recreation facilities
• Upgrade park facilities

Why Is $200 Million Needed?
A recent analysis by county and municipal park and recreation departments determined that more that $1 billion in capital improvements are needed. The Safe Neighborhood Parks Act is a $200 million measure to fund basic repairs and improvements for parks, development of new facilities, and acquisition of land to meet open-space deficiencies and future needs.

How Will This Money Be Raised?
Miami-Dade County voters have approved the issuance of general obligation bonds to fund the measure. The revenue generated by these bonds will be used to construct and refurbish park facilities. Operating and maintenance costs are the responsibility of each individual Park and Recreation department. Based on the average Miami-Dade County residential property assessment of $91,700 (including Homestead Exemption), the average homeowner will pay $8.34 a year for these bonds.

How Will the Money Be Spent?
The Act outlines the specific allocations, distribution and oversight of the capital bond funds for county and municipal park projects as follows: Cities - $47 million; Unincorporated - Area $61 million; County Regional - $62 million; Other Regional/Challenge Grant - $30 million

Who Has Authorization to Allocate the Funds?
An Oversight Committee, created by a Miami-Dade County ordinance, ensures that bond monies are only used for projects approved by voters. The Oversight Committee was chosen by the Board of County Commissioners from a slate of candidates representing the racial, ethnic, gender and geographical composition of the community. An independent audit of bond proceeds will be conducted annually.