Provo advocates renewal of 10-year recreation-arts-parks sales tax; staff outline projects and funding

Gary Winterton and parks staff presented the case to Neighborhood District 2 for renewing the city’s 10-year recreation, arts and parks (RAP) local-option sales tax on the November ballot. The tax is a tenth of 1% (one penny on every $10 spent locally) and has a 10-year sunset that requires renewal by voters.

Gary Winterton and park staff highlighted projects credited to RAP funding over the past decade — Spring Creek improvements, Rock Canyon Trailhead and preservation contributions, Provo River Trail widening and resurfacing, Lakewood playground replacement, restroom upgrades, and new courts including pickleball additions. Park staff said RAP money is frequently combined with Community Development Block Grant funds, development impact fees and state/federal grants to stretch local dollars.

Staff provided figures and estimates during the presentation: an average of about $1.5 million a year has gone to parks over the past decade (parks staff cited roughly $15 million raised over the decade), and staff said RAP frequently leverages outside funds to deliver more project value. A project manager estimated that full shade-structure installs for Rock Canyon across three plateaus could exceed $100,000, noting outside fundraising or grant matches can accelerate timing.

Speakers asked residents to help spread the word and, if possible, contribute modestly to an outreach fund (organizers estimated needing roughly $10,000 to mail a voter-information flyer). Staff described the project-queue process, how to propose items for the CIP, and invited neighborhood groups to apply for matching grants when they contribute volunteer hours and fundraising.

Next steps: advocates asked residents to support the renewal on the November ballot and to contact organizers if they can help with outreach or provide matching funds.