What is Measure P?

Measure P helps ensure Fresno’s neighborhoods receive funding to improve and maintain our parks and facilities, create new parks and trails, and fund recreation, community, and arts programs.

The Fresno City Council adopted the Fresno Parks Master Plan, which was developed with extensive community input and feedback. It showed 80% of Fresno’s parks are in fair or poor condition and laid out a plan to improve our parks system. Measure P is a solution to make those improvements a reality.

The proceeds are utilized to fund specific purposes defined in the Measure P Ordinance.

• Improving and Maintaining Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks and Playgrounds.
• New Neighborhood Parks; Senior and Youth Recreation Facilities.
• Youth and Senior Recreation Programs; After School Programs; and Job Training for Youth and Veterans.
• Expanded Access to Arts and Culture.
• Safe Walking and Biking Trails; Street Beautification and Litter Removal; and the San Joaquin River Parkway.
• Program implementation, planning and plan updates, program and project innovation, and audit and oversight support.

Read the Measure P Ordinance

• Ordinance (PDF)
• Ordinance (Online)

How Do I Get Involved?

• The Parks Recreation and Arts Commission meets twice a month on Monday evenings at 5:30 pm. For a full view of the Commission’s meeting calendar, click the below link.

Parks Recreation and Arts Commission Meeting Calendar

• Agendas for the Parks Recreation and Arts Commission meetings can be found on the City of Fresno website. To view upcoming and previous agendas, click the below link.

Agendas: November 2021 to Current
Agendas: May 2021 to October 2021

• Hearings: The Parks Recreation and Arts Commission is currently conducting hearings at the Commission Meetings to receive public input regarding allocations related to Measure P and the PARCS Department Budget. The City Council Chambers are open for public participation; however, members of the public are encouraged to participate electronically because of the reduced capacity of seating in the Chambers to allow for social distancing. Participants may register electronically in advance through the zoom link available on each meeting agenda.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Measure P dollars benefit our community?

Investing in Fresno’s parks, trails, facilities, and programs helps keep the City of Fresno a desirable place to live, work, and raise a family. This continued investment improves the quality of life for all Fresnans while promoting community cohesion and engagement, from our youth to our seniors.

What types of programs and projects does Measure P fund?

Measure P funds are allocated for programs and projects that do one of the following:

• Provide clean, safe neighborhoods parks for all Fresno residents;
• Reduce crime and homelessness in parks;
• Update and maintain park bathrooms and playgrounds;
• Reduce graffiti and vandalism in parks;
• Maintain and improve after-school, youth, and senior recreational programs;
• Provide job training for at-risk youth and veterans;
• Beautify landscaping and remove weeds and litter along major roads and highways;
• Create parks in neighborhoods that don’t have good park access, including soccer and sports fields;
• Improve walking and biking access to parks and trails, including the San Joaquin River Parkway;
• Expand access to local arts and cultural programs.

Where do Measure P funds come from?

Measure P provides a guaranteed, local funding source for Fresno’s parks through a 3/8-cent sales tax in the City of Fresno. That’s an average of $39 per household each year (or just $3.25 each month), while items like groceries and medicine remain exempt from sales taxes. The initiative raises approximately $37.5 million per year and requires voter approval for renewal after 30 years.

What if I have more questions?

For questions or comments, please contact the City of Fresno PARCS Department at [email protected]