BALLOT INITIATIVES: Prop 68 Would Fund Parks, Open Spaces, Water

Don’t Forget to Vote on June 5^th!

On Tuesday, June 5, Californians have the opportunity to vote on a number of ballot initiatives, including Prop 68, the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018.

Prop 68 is a $4 billion general obligation bond, the proceeds of which would go toward state and local parks, environmental protection and restoration projects, water infrastructure projects, and flood-protection projects. A significant portion of funding would be made available to help communities create parks in areas where few are currently located, and to help improve the safety and facilities of existing state and local parks with the goal of improving residents’ use and enjoyment of them.

Parks are Essential to Livable Communities

Parks and open spaces are an important part of any “livable” community, and they should be accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Parks can contribute to positive effects on one’s physical, physiological, and mental health. This is especially true for older adults, who often utilize parks and open spaces to engage in physical and social activity, both of which can reduce stress and support faster healing and recovery, along with maintenance of good health. Unfortunately, people over the age of 65 are the most underserved population in terms of having access to parks.

In a recent survey conducted by AARP, 89% of adults age 50+ in California said that it is important to have parks, recreational space, or other open spaces available for use in their community. Unfortunately, we know that many communities across California are “park poor,” meaning residents do not have easy access to parks. Under Prop 68, these communities would be automatically eligible for funding to provide more parks and open spaces.

In the same survey, only 14% of likely voters were aware of Prop 68 and how it would benefit them personally. If you fall into that category, and are still unsure of what Prop 68 is and how it affects you, we encourage you to learn more about the ballot measure here, or find other independent analyses.

For more information about AARP’s efforts on creating livable communities, visit aarp.org/livable.