$817-Million Bond Would Aid Local Parks

A host of projects in the Long Beach and Southeast areas would be funded by an $817-million bond measure placed on the November ballot by the Board of Supervisors.

The measure, the largest bond act in the county’s history, gives voters the chance to decide whether to increase property taxes to improve local park, recreation and cultural facilities.

The board voted 3-1 Tuesday to place the omnibus bond act before voters. It would pay for projects ranging from a restoration of trout and steelhead habitats to a $35-million refurbishing of the Hollywood Bowl.

If approved by two-thirds of the voters, the measure would also distribute $140 million to the county’s 86 cities and to unincorporated areas to spend as they see fit. Each community’s portion of this money would be determined by its population. For example, the city of Los Angeles, with a population of 3.4 million, would get nearly $52 million; tiny Hidden Hills, with just 1,981 residents, would draw $32,703.

Additionally, the proposal includes $81.5 million for acquisition of land and trails in the Santa Monica Mountains. It also would provide $50 million to upgrade facilities at county beaches. This work is to include improvements to public restrooms and lifeguard towers.

Much of the rest of the money has been designated for specific smaller projects, including many in Long Beach and the Southeast area of the county. The following is a list of those projects:

* $15 million for acquisition of natural lands and development of related facilities in the Whittier Hills.

* $13.3 million for acquisition and development of West Side Regional Park in Long Beach.

* $6.2 million for expansion of Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Long Beach.

* $5.5 million for development of El Dorado Regional Park in Long Beach.

* $4.5 million for improvements at Whittier Narrows Recreation Area.

* $4.3 million for improvements at Cerritos Regional Park.

* $1.5 million for improvements at Belmont Pier in Long Beach.

* $1.5 million for improvement at Marine Stadium in Long Beach.

* $1 million for restoration of historic ranchos in Long Beach.

* $1 million to develop River Park in Long Beach.

* $750,000 to develop the Bill Greene Aquatic Complex in Cudahy.