In Seattle, a walk in the park is not free

Seattle Parks and Recreation spent the most per capita among large U.S. cities on parks since the pandemic, an annual survey rating the best park systems in the nation found.

In fiscal year 2022 alone, more than $281 million in investments was poured into Seattle parks, 94% of which came from Seattle Parks and Recreation, according to the Trust for Public Land (TPL).

A permanent tax district, which collects property tax and was approved by voters in 2014, funds Seattle Parks and Recreation. The city agency spent $314.92 per city resident, on average, in the last three years — the highest in the nation.

The investments have reaped some benefits. Seattle moved up a rank from last year to No. 8 in TPL’s latest ParkScore index, which examines the 100 largest U.S. cities on park access, acreage, investment, amenities and equity. The city landed in the top 10 for the third consecutive year.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2023/06/01/seattle-tops-nation-in-spending-on-public-parks.html