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We want to hear from you! Your input will help guide decisions about the future of San José parks.

Why Parks Need Support

San José’s parks are where we gather, play, and connect. Well-maintained parks increase property values, support neighborhood safety, and improve our quality of life.

However, keeping parks safe, clean, and well-maintained is a growing challenge.

Currently, park maintenance is funded through the City’s general fund, which also pays for police, fire, libraries, and other critical services. Because of this, park funding is subject to economic fluctuations and has seen significant cuts in the past. This means:

• Less routine maintenance
• Delays in fixing playgrounds, restrooms, sports fields, and landscaping
• Gaps in maintenance lead to higher costs later

With consistent funding, we could visit your parks more often and stay longer—ensuring greener grass, safer playgrounds, and cleaner, more welcoming spaces for everyone. 

The Challenge in Numbers

Over the years, we’ve improved efficiency by using maintenance contractors and empowering volunteers to deliver faster, more cost-effective results—ensuring public dollars go further. However, the challenge is that we just don’t have the financial resources to meet expectations.  

Since 2003, maintenance staffing has decreased by 19% while parkland has increased by 22%. This shows that our budget falls short of maintaining the more than 200 parks and over 65 miles of trail in San José. 


Each year, the Trust for Public Land compiles data on parks across the nation's 100 most populous cities to evaluate investment in public parks. San José ranks 15th among California's most populated cities for the amount spent on maintenance, only $37 per person.

Exploring Dedicated Funding Options

To ensure every neighborhood has clean, safe, and well-maintained parks, we’re exploring two options to create a dedicated funding source for park maintenance: 

1. Parcel Tax
   • A tax based on square footage, the fee is calculated according to the size of your property — larger properties pay more, smaller properties pay less. It would only cost the average parcel $5 to $10 per month (about a cup of coffee).  
   • Establishing this $0.01 or $0.02 per square foot tax would provide a predictable and stable source of funds for park maintenance and improvements.  
2. Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax
   • A $0.02 per ounce tax on sugary drinks sold in San José. The tax is applied to distributors or manufacturers, not directly at the store—though the cost is reflected in the price customers pay. This type of tax would add $0.32 to a 16-oz drink.  
   • Establishing this tax would fund park maintenance while supporting healthy communities.  

Either option could give San José’s parks the consistent financial support they need. Every dollar would be dedicated to maintaining neighborhood parks, with strict oversight and public reporting. 

What Could Additional Funding Do?

We’ll visit your parks more often and stay longer to:

• Repair broken playground equipment within weeks instead of months. 
• Mow lawns more frequently and keep restrooms open and clean. 
• Address litter, graffiti, vandalism, and illegal dumping faster.
• Remove weeds to reduce the risk of wildfire.