2022 Park District Budget Approved
On Tuesday, December 21, 2021, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors unanimously approved the Park District 2022 Budget. The 2022 Budget is balanced and fiscally responsible, meets current and long-term service needs, and fulfills commitments to constituents while also addressing increased park visitation and wildfire risk. During the COVID-19 pandemic, park visitation has increased over 30 percent districtwide and up to 400 percent at some parks, trails, and staging areas, equating to over 30 million visits annually from the Bay Area and beyond.
The Park District has a history of strong fiscal management and administering its financial resources responsibly and conservatively. The 2022 Budget is a balanced and fiscally responsible plan to keep parks safe and enjoyable.
The 2022 Budget totals $290 million and covers operations, projects, and programs. It includes $1.65 million from Measure WW for land acquisition and public access projects. Measure WW is a $500 million bond measure that was approved by 72 percent of District voters in November 2008. The budget also includes $3.2 million from Measure FF for projects and park operations, including fire fuels reduction. Measure FF was approved in November 2018 by voters in Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, Alameda, San Pablo, El Cerrito, Albany, Emeryville, Piedmont, El Sobrante, and Kensington with 85.6 percent support.
The 2022 Budget represents an unprecedented investment in wildfire fuels reduction. Specifically, the 2022 District Budget adds three additional fuels reduction crew members (15 total), an additional Fuels Reduction Coordinator, and an additional Ecological Services Coordinator to facilitate fuels reduction projects. The 2022 District’s Budget also include $1.2 million for large fuels reduction projects. These 2022 investments in fuels reduction are in addition to the Fire Department’s ongoing budget for firefighters and equipment maintenance.
The Park District’s 2022 Budget is available at www.ebparks.org/public-info/budget.
