$319-Million Ballot Measure for Parks Gets Broad Support

A $319-million ballot measure to buy open space, improve parks and provide new recreation facilities across Los Angeles County won broad public support Thursday, but the Board of Supervisors delayed until Tuesday a final vote to place the parks issue on the November ballot.

Most speakers--from affluent suburbs to poor inner-city neighborhoods--backed the measure during a hearing, but Chairman Mike Antonovich expressed reservations, saying residents of his sprawling district will pay more in higher taxes than they receive back in park facilities. “They are being shortchanged,” he said.

But Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who pressed hard for board approval, said the parks measure would improve the quality of life in Los Angeles.