In FY04 funding for parks and recreation projects increase 25% while transportation neighborhood dollars increase 55%.

Park's funding provides for improvements of varying magnitude for 28 parks throughout the city, continuing the 1,000 trees program (sixth year) and ancillary and play equipment fall surfaces, sidewalks and trails. Recreation funding provides for improvements at Henry and Ola Playground, Hyde Park Craft Center and Highland Pines Playground and play features for at least three swimming pools.

Input from residents and neighborhood associations help prioritize traffic calming and sidewalk projects. The additional funding for signs and street maintenance / resurfacing will allow the department to catch up on these programs. In addition to this capital funding an additional $200,000 in operating funds has been provided to accelerate the school crossing sign replacement program and the signs and markings inventory.