Measures F and Y: Parks Tax Increases
Measures F and Y provide funding to maintain public parks and related facilities in Berkeley.
About Measure F (2014) and Measure Y (2025)
Measures F and Y amended the Parks Tax, a parcel tax that pays for maintenance of Berkeley parks.
Berkeley voters passed Measure F in November 2014 with 75% approval. The original ballot question read:
Shall the parks special tax be amended to sustain community parks like the Rose Garden, children’s playgrounds, tennis, basketball courts, and ball fields, by increasing the per square foot tax rate from $0.1256 to $0.1466 and adding an inflation factor?
Berkeley voters passed Measure Y in November 2024 with 75% approval. The original ballot question read:
Shall the measure increasing the rate of the City's special parcel tax for parks, trees and landscaping maintenance from $0.221 to $0.2652 per square foot of taxable improvements, adjusted annually for inflation, exempting very low-income property owners as defined by the City Council, estimated to generate an additional approximately $3.8 million annually for a total of approximately $22 million annually, and effective until amended or repealed by voters, be adopted?
Status
The Measures F and Y increases to the Parks Tax help ensure that staffing and funding are in place to keep Berkeley’s public parks safe, clean, and enjoyable for all. With these 2014 and 2024 increases, Parks Tax revenue will be approximately $22M in fiscal year 2026.
This revenue funds all maintenance and staffing in the City’s 58 parks, landscaping in City right of way, and all City owned trees. Additionally, because of Measure F and Y, $2.75M of this funding is set aside for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), $500,000 for minor maintenance needs, and over $600,000 to fund a Tree Planting Unit within the Urban Forestry Division.
This funding allows staff to do a variety of maintenance projects such as replacing failed retaining walls, play equipment, and parks elements including benches, garbage cans, and picnic tables. It also supports the completion of projects like the renovation of community centers, sports fields, and new playgrounds, and the planting of over 1,000 new trees each year.
View a memo listing recent projects from the Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Department. Projects funded by the Parks Tax (Measure F) are marked with “PT.”
Management and oversight
The PRW Department manages the park projects funded by the Parks Tax (Measure F). The Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Commission and City Council review and approve projects assigned to this fund.
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