Sonoma County parks tax supports $13 million in improvements countywide

Santa Rosa, CA – Parks departments throughout Sonoma County updated their trails, open spaces, playgrounds and sports facilities and completed other crucial projects with more than $13 million in Parks for All – Measure M sales tax revenue, according to the measure's latest annual financial data.

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on March 11 received an accounting of the tax’s revenue and expenditures in the 2023-24 fiscal year, compiled by Sonoma County Regional Parks and the municipalities of Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma and Windsor.  

Regional Parks presented the data as part of its 2024 Community Report, an overview of the department’s accomplishments and finances for the year. The report shows Regional Parks dedicated $10.5 million in Parks for All – Measure M tax revenue to projects while the cities spent more than $2.8 million. The tax generated a total of $16.3 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year, with unspent revenue saved for future projects.

Sonoma County voters approved the measure, a one-eighth cent sales tax, in 2018. The county’s regional parks receive two-thirds of the annual revenue, and the cities share one-third based on population size.

"Thanks to the generous support of our taxpayers, we are able to fund and preserve our local parks, ensuring that future generations can enjoy these natural landscapes for years to come," said Supervisor David Rabbitt, board chair in 2024. "This investment, along with the efforts of our dedicated staff and community partners, is vital to sustaining and enhancing our vibrant park system."

For Regional Parks, notable projects included completing the first phase of Maxwell Farms Regional Park’s redevelopment, adding eight miles of trails at Taylor Mountain Regional Park & Preserve, restoring habitat at Shiloh Ranch, Hood Mountain and Doran regional parks and building gathering areas at Tolay Lake and Foothill regional parks.

"This year's report demonstrates the powerful impact of having sales tax dollars dedicated to local parks,” said Regional Parks Director Bert Whitaker. “We strategically match every dollar received to maximize our ability to maintain safe, beautiful parks and deliver transformative improvements like new trails, community spaces and sports fields.

Cities used Measure M funding to repair parks and playgrounds, build pickleball courts, expand summer camps, renovate trails and pathways, host community events, hire maintenance staff and save for future park improvements.

Before the Board of Supervisors received the report, county and city parks representatives worked with the Parks for All – Measure M citizen oversight committee to ensure the year’s expenditures complied with the measure’s intent.

Regional Parks’ 2024 Community Report showcases key initiatives, partnerships, budget categories and strategic priorities, demonstrating the department’s commitment to improving parks, providing community programs, promoting health and safety and stewarding natural resources.

The report is available for viewing on Regional Parks' Measure M funding page and as a download at SoCoParks.org/ParksForAll.  A video animation of Regional Parks’ budget and project funding process is available at SoCoParks.org/Funding.

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Contact Information:

Meda Freeman
Marketing and Communications 
Sonoma County Regional Parks 
Meda.freeman@sonoma-county.org
(707) 565-2275
SonomaCountyParks.org