Update: The City Council was not able to vote on this issue at the May 6 Council meeting because city staff had not prepared an official recommendation to vote on. Therefore, this issue will be coming back before the City Council at a future date. We will alert supporters when this happens.

On Monday, May 6, the Redwood City Council will consider whether to approve cuts in fees on new development, which could result in a loss of $18.6 million in funding for Redwood City parks. Please use the form below to email the City Council and tell them not to slash funding for parks!

What’s Happening

All cities in our region impose fees for traffic, parks, and/or affordable housing on some new development projects. Known as “impact fees,” these are intended to mitigate the impacts of new development, such as increasing the demand on city parks, recreation and community services. This way, developers pay their fair share of costs for the impacts of their development projects.

Earlier this year, the Redwood City Council rolled back part of the city’s new park impact fee ordinance, eliminating fees on bedroom additions and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). This will result in a loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in parks funding, according to city staff’s analysis.

Now, the City Council is considering even further cuts to park funding. On Monday, the council members will vote on a proposal to partially exempt developers from park impact fees if they already had development project proposals under consideration by the city before a certain date. If all of these additional exemptions are approved, it would result in a loss of $18.6 million in funding for Redwood City parks.

Why It Matters

Parks and urban open space provide multiple benefits for our communities. In addition to providing opportunities for play, exercise, and community events, nature and greenery in parks filter pollutants from the air and water, reduce temperatures during heat waves, and provide habitat for birds and insects. Studies have shown that exposure to nature benefits both physical and mental health; people feel happier and less stressed when they are able to get out into nature, including in the middle of an urban area.

Redwood City is lucky to have an amazing park system, from the woodland habitat of Stulsaft Park to the innovative Magical Bridge Playground that provides inclusive play opportunities for everyone including those with physical, developmental, cognitive, and sensory challenges. Slashing the funding needed to ensure these parks will continue to be able to serve Redwood City’s growing population would be disastrous. It’s only fair that new development projects that bring additional residents to the city should pay their fair share of the cost of providing parks, recreation, and community services to those new residents.

What You Can Do

Please use the form below to email the City Council by Monday, May 6 and tell them not to slash funding for parks!