Largest parks bond in Raleigh history could create aquatics center, urban park, Dix expansions

Raleigh voters are deciding whether they're willing to pay higher taxes to get improvements done for parks, trails, and greenways.

WRAL News has a look at how much the parks bond referendum would cost the typical homeowner.

Right now, the median home value in the city is just shy of $258,000. The tax rate would go up four cents on every $100 of a home's value. That adds up to $103 more on their annual tax bill.

What would Raleigh voters get for their money?

There $275 million parks bond includes 20 projects.

• $54 million would go to Chavis Park for a new aquatic center and upgrades.
• $43 million would help cover construction of the Gipson Play Plaza and planning the next phase of improvements at Dix Park.
• $29.5 million is earmarked to redevelop Tarboro Road Park.
• $21 million would go toward a bike and pedestrian path along Lake Wheeler Road by Dix Park.
• The Sertoma Art Center would get more than $15 million for a renovation and expansion.
• Projects also include greenway and trail improvements and preparing to turn this city maintenance yard along Capitol Boulevard into a new urban park.

Mitchell Silver, a former Raleigh planning director and parks commissioner in New York City, serves as co-chair for the campaign that's put up signs saying "Yes for the Parks Bond" across the city.

"We’re looking at equity and access to make sure every community deserves a quality park," he says. "Great cities invest in their parks, they care for their parks, and this one is important. 12:46:33 Don’t just look at the cost. Look at the value."

Affordable housing and inflation: Some voters feel there are bigger concerns than Raleigh parks

Not every voter feels it's an appropriate time to focus on expanding Raleigh's parks.

Lisa Hughet opposes the parks bond, saying her property taxes for this bond alone are going to go up by $200.

She says now isn't the right time for this bond.

"At this time with inflation and costs rising, people are really cost burdened," she says.

She joined a handful of speakers who asked city council to consider more funding for affordable housing before putting parks on the ballot.

"I think it’s completely out of proportion to what we need in the city," she says.

Raleigh voters are weighing that balance on their ballots.

Jill Balogh, whose 3-year-old granddaughter Veda loves visiting the playground at Chavis Park, knows there's a price to pay to enjoy this free fun in their city.

"I don’t have a problem with that. I’m willing to pay more in taxes to get the services we need in the city," she says.

This parks bond is the biggest in city history. The last bond city voters approved in 2020 was for affordable housing. Since 1980, voters passed $150 million in bonds for housing and nearly $230 for parks.

You can vote early through Saturday, November 5 or on election day Tuesday, November 8.