VALLEY ROUNDUP : Pacific Palisades : Davis OKs Parks Bond for Ballot

Gov. Gray Davis visited Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday to sign into law legislation that will place a record $2.1-billion parks bond measure on the March ballot--a measure that if approved would result in hundreds of millions of dollars for Los Angeles.

The measure--the largest parks bond in U.S. history and the first in California since 1988--is an attempt to address government neglect of vital state and city parks and environmental resources, backers say. They also say it addresses a growing need for improved park and recreational facilities, especially in urban areas. It requires a majority vote.

“Placing the parks bond on the ballot is truly an historic milestone in California’s effort to ensure the expansion and care of our irreplaceable natural resources,” said Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles), who will chair the pro-bond campaign. “I hope all Californians join me in supporting this bond next March.”

The ceremony was attended by numerous elected officials, from the bill’s chief authors, Villaraigosa and Assemblyman Fred Keeley (D-Boulder Creek), to others involved in its passage, including Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) and state Sens. Tom Hayden (D-Los Angeles) and Kevin Murray (D-Los Angeles).

Of the 2.1 billion, 35% would be spent on local parks, 26% on state parks, 17% on conservancies, 13% on wildlife and land acquisition, and 5% on parks for low-income and at-risk youth. The remainder would be spent in such areas as the California Conservation Corps, urban forestry grants, and agricultural land conservation projects.

“These funds will provide for significant acquisitions in the Santa Monica Mountains, protect wildlife, and extend hiking trails so that the people of Southern California can enjoy these beautiful mountains,” said Kuehl, whose district includes the park.

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy would receive $35 million, while $25 million would be spent on Santa Monica Bay projects.