General obligation bonds issued by local governments, like Parks Tacoma, are secured through the taxing district’s property tax authority. Bonds are traditionally used to finance capital projects, like land acquisition, park development and building construction. They usually are long-term financing tools sold to investors who are repaid over time with interest.

General obligation bonds allow us to pay for major capital investments that build or enhance parks, community centers and other District facilities.

These bond dollars, like the 2014 Park & Zoo Bond that we use for park and facility improvements, cannot be used for ongoing general operating expenses or maintenance. They must be applied to one-time capital improvement expenses that voters approve when they support passage of a planned bond program.

The proposed bond package will generate $155 million.

The proposed bond package would maintain the amount of property tax you currently pay to the Park District. The retirement of previous debt means this proposed bond would not increase taxes and homeowners would continue paying the same amount they pay today. That rate is $0.45 per $1,000 in assessed home value, which translates to $249 per year, based on Tacoma’s average $553,000 house value.

Bonds are long-term financing tools that allow us to invest in new, improved and redeveloped parks and community spaces.

Even with regular maintenance covered by property taxes, our complex system of assets over time requires renovations, upgrades and additions to serve changing community needs and priorities.

There are more than 100 projects at more than 40 parks and facilities across the city. They include playgrounds, spraygrounds, sports courts and fields, community centers, trails and natural areas, new parks, ADA accessibility, conservation and community gathering spaces. Details about the proposed projects will be shared next month.

The Unlimited Tax General Obligation (UTGO) Bonds Parks Tacoma is proposing must be approved by 60%+1 of the voters, with a voter turnout equal to at least 40% of those voted in the most recent election.

Yes, the bond package includes a wide array of projects throughout Tacoma to enhance equity and access.

Staff evaluated the condition of current facilities and priorities in long-range plans to determine which projects would best serve the community and ensure we are taking care of the places and assets we already have.

The projects identified for this bond package are in-line with findings from our System & Strategic Plan and were chosen based on high-priority asset needs and community input from multiple public meetings over the years.

Parks Tacoma staff dedicated more than 800 work hours and 200 volunteer hours to finetuning a project list, which included 82 internal stakeholder meetings.

The District assembled a Park Bond Advisory Committee that included 28 members from different community groups, local governments, nonprofits, businesses and advisory councils. The committee reviewed prioritization of our system needs, evaluated bond categories, offered input and guidance on the bond package and provided a recommendation to the Executive Director and Park Board.

In mid-December, the committee voted overwhelmingly to recommend the bond package to the Park Board. The Park Board considered the package during a first reading at its Jan. 12, 2026, meeting. On Jan. 26, the Park Board decided to send the package to the ballot for voters to consider during a special election on April 28.

Bonds can only be used for one-time capital improvements, like land acquisition and construction. They cannot be used for ongoing general operating expenses, such as programs, maintenance and other services.

Election Day is Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

The last capital bond measure was passed in 2014 and generated $198 million to fund 125 projects that protect and improve parks and facilities across the city.

Parks Tacoma engaged federal, state and local agencies, as well as philanthropic individuals and organizations, to support funding and enhance nearly a quarter of bond projects.

A few of the projects completed in the 2014 bond include:

• Opening Dune Peninsula Park, which transformed a former smelter into a majestic shoreline park that welcomes thousands of people every year
• Building Melanie Jan LaPlant Dressel Park on the Ruston Way waterfront
• Creating access to a park within a 10-minute walk for more than 25,000 Tacomans by building five new community schoolyards
• Opening year-round access to Peck Community Sports Park and developing multi-sport fields that opened as the new home field for Stadium High’s baseball team but can be used by community members for soccer and lacrosse
• Completing the Pacific Seas Aquarium to highlight Puget Sound marine life, which replaced the 55-year-old North Pacific Aquarium after it was weakened by decades of salt-water corrosion
• Building new playgrounds at neighborhood parks like Ferry Park, Alderwood Park, Cloverdale Park and North Slope Historic Park

View all 2014 bond projects here.

No, the Meadow Park Golf Course Reimagine Project includes proposed capital improvements covered by golf revenue, donations and loans that would be paid back using golf course income, not taxpayer dollars. Learn more about this project.

State laws restrict how different sources of government revenues can be used. Tax dollars that voters approve through Unlimited Tax General Obligation (UTGO) bonds can only be used for park and facility capital improvements, including construction, infrastructure, major renovations and land acquisition. They cannot be used for general operating or maintenance expenses.

Operating expenses, including programs, services and staff salaries, are paid with a combination of property tax levies, program fees, grants, partner agreements and other income sources. Expenses and revenues must align, so if revenues come in lower than projected, expenses must be cut.

The 2026 bond proposal on the April 28 ballot is separate from our operating budget. This capital project package was considered carefully by staff, a community advisory committee and the Board to focus on taking care of current assets rather than building new ones. It is specifically designed to upgrade or replace deteriorating assets that require frequent maintenance. In other words, the bond package is still critical to our ability to serve the public efficiently and effectively. While the bond package, if approved by voters, cannot be used to address Parks Tacoma’s operating budget challenges, the indirect benefit is that it will reduce the time and money spent trying to keep aging assets open.