Proposition 12 Parks Bond

Orange County and its cities will receive up to $33.1 million for local parks, their share of the $388 million in state funds raised by a ballot measure California voters approved last year. The funds from Proposition 12--the $2.1-billion state Park Bond Act of 2000--represent the largest infusion of money into local parks in state history. The ballot measure provided for $388 million to be distributed on a per capita basis to cities and counties throughout California.

Orange County and its cities will receive up to $33.1 million for local parks, their share of the $388 million in state funds raised by a ballot measure California voters approved last year. The funds from Proposition 12--the $2.1-billion state Park Bond Act of 2000--represent the largest infusion of money into local parks in state history. The ballot measure provided for $388 million to be distributed on a per capita basis to cities and counties throughout California.

If California voters approve two massive environmental bond measures on the March 7 ballot, Orange County stands to get more than $360 million earmarked to improve local water quality and parklands. Propositions 12 and 13 would provide about $4 billion for projects throughout the state--money environmentalists say is crucial to compensate for years of neglect.

If California voters approve two massive environmental bond measures on the March 7 ballot, Orange County stands to get more than $360 million earmarked to improve local water quality and parklands. Propositions 12 and 13 would provide about $4 billion for projects throughout the state--money environmentalists say is crucial to compensate for years of neglect.

In Florida, they're spending $300 million a year on parks and open space, a buying binge without precedent in the nation. New Jersey is not far behind, bankrolling a decade-long shopping spree to save a million acres. But in California--once the unrivaled national leader in preserving natural spaces--parks have gone begging. And it shows. "Our parks have been ignored for 16 years," said Rusty Areias, director of the increasingly dilapidated state park system. "We have fallen way, way behind."

The Parks, Recreation and Equestrian Commission created a subcommittee at its Monday meeting to help streamline funds coming from Proposition 12, the parks bond measure that California voters passed in March. Commissioners Cathy Hooper and Ilse Byrnes will work with city staff members, evaluating capital improvement projects that might qualify for some bond proceeds, said Al King, community services director.

Statewide Propositions 1A. Indian casino gambling. NO. Proposition 12. Parks bond. YES. Proposition 13. Water bond. YES. Proposition 14. Library bond. YES. Proposition 15. Crime lab bond. YES. Proposition 16. Veterans homes bond. YES. Proposition 17. Legalize charitable raffles. YES. Proposition 18. Murder, special circumstances. NO. Proposition 19. Murder of peace officers. NO. Proposition 20. School lottery funds. NO. Proposition 21. Juvenile crime. NO. Proposition 22. Limit on marriage. NO.

The Huntington Beach City Council voted late Monday to seek funding to purchase the Bolsa Chica mesa, beginning a process that could ultimately preserve a majestic bluff overlooking the largest protected wetland area in Southern California. The measure passed 4 to 3, despite concerns by several council members that crucial questions were not addressed, including whether the owner, Signal Landmark, is willing to sell the 183-acre property.

Among Orange County's most intractable issues is the conflict between quality of life and the demands of growth and development. The long-running dispute over the future of the Bolsa Chica mesa and wetlands reflects this tension. Over the years, fresh developments have fueled old passions, shifting for a time the focus of the debate to one new proposal or another.

Promising to help create a new network of urban greenery, Gov. Gray Davis announced Friday that the state is spending almost $60 million to buy two former rail yards near downtown Los Angeles that will be transformed into parks. The two lots along the Los Angeles River, now empty parcels littered with concrete slabs and laced with underground toxins, once were slated to become industrial complexes that would house warehouses and businesses.

In Florida, they're spending $300 million a year on parks and open space, a buying binge without precedent in the nation. New Jersey is not far behind, bankrolling a decade-long shopping spree to save a million acres. But in California--once the unrivaled national leader in preserving natural spaces--parks have gone begging. And it shows. "Our parks have been ignored for 16 years," said Rusty Areias, director of the increasingly dilapidated state park system. "We have fallen way, way behind."