A citizens' task force recently recommended renewing the King County Parks levy, which will expire at year's end, and restoring routine park maintenance improvements.

The Parks Futures Task Force also recommended county investment in open space projects to help ensure the region's environmental health and water quality.

In its report, the task force recommended two property tax levies for an August 21 primary ballot.

The first would renew the parks' operating levy with additions designed to restore maintenance levels and park infrastructure to 2002 pre-budget crisis levels.

A companion levy would provide additional money to preserve open space and to provide more recreational opportunities.

"A budget that simply keeps parks' gates open is not enough," said task force co-chair Gene Duvernoy.

"These recommendations are all about ensuring that our wonderful parks remain open, are better maintained, and that critical open space and trails that enrich our region's quality of life and protect water quality are preserved and expanded to meet future growth."

"King County and the Parks Division have worked hard to keep faith with voters since the budget crisis of 2002," said County Executive Ron Sims. "Through our Parks Business Plan, we have been innovative in finding new funding sources to keep our parks clean, safe and open."

Since then, partnerships have been formed via naming rights and entrepreneurial activities with such industry leaders as Starbucks, Group Health, Cirque du Soleil and U.S. Bank. Community partnerships are bringing major improvements to King County facilities, including a park in White Center, at little to no cost to King County taxpayers.

Voters approved a 4.9-cent, four-year operating levy in 2003 to keep parks open. That levy, which funds more than 55 percent of the parks' operating budget, expires at the end of 2007.

The 2002 budget crisis led to significant maintenance reductions, transfers of some parks and facilities to other jurisdictions, and a shift in focus to regional parks, open space and the regional trail system.