Background Information 

The Open Space, Parks & Trails Special Tax was approved by Arcata voters in November 2020 as an annual tax of $37 per parcel within City limits. Revenue from the Special Tax supports the protection, maintenance and expansion of Arcata’s parks, trails and natural open space areas.  This additional funding allows the City to qualify for future cost share grants to acquire land or easements, to construct a trail or habitat restoration work, or implement park improvements. Several high priority projects within the City’s open spaces have been completed since the inception of the Special Tax such as the Arcata Ridge Trail, access to the Mad River at Carlson Park, new playground equipment at Bloomfield Park, the bicycle pump track at Redwood Park, and fish and water quality monitoring on Jolly Giant and Janes Creeks. 

To ensure oversight of the Special Tax, an Open Space Special Tax Ad Hoc group reviews expenditures and makes recommendations to the City Council for priority projects. The Ad Hoc Group is comprised each year of two representatives from each of the three City Committees with a purview around open space: Wetlands and Creeks, Forest Management, and Parks and Recreation Committees. 

Special Tax-funded Projects

Since the Open Space, Parks & Trails Special Tax started generating revenue for the City in 2021, several public access, habitat and open space stewardship projects have been completed. 

• The final segment of the long-anticipated multi-use Arcata Ridge Trail connecting the Arcata Community Forest Tract with the Sunny Brae Forest Tract was completed in Fall 2022. 
• Supported the City’s acquisition of a public access easement and later fee title to access the Mad River from Carlson Park. 
• Supported fish and water quality monitoring on Jolly Giant and Janes Creeks in order to inform and advance habitat restoration grants. 
• Forest road and culvert improvements have been supported within the Arcata Community Forest, including a bridge replacement in the Jacoby Creek Forest. 
• Park improvements have been implemented in 2023 at Bloomfield Park, a new bicycle pump track at Redwood Park in 2024, and construction of new bike trail in the Arcata Community Forest called the "Fickle tHrILL Trail" which is adjacent to Trail 9 in 2025.  
• Creation of a ramp entrance to the Sunny Brae Forest at the Margaret Lane trailhead for equestrian & mountain bike access and installation of a dogipot at Sunnybrae Park.
• The Special Tax is currently supporting improvements at the Arcata Ball Park to replace the aging façade, enhance the entryway and create an accessible path of travel to the family-friendly grassy area along the left-field line. 
• A new part-time Marsh Groundskeeper position is being piloted starting in fall 2024 with support from the Friends of the Arcata Marsh to provide more focused stewardship along the trails at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary and to support volunteer involvement in stewardship at the Marsh. 
• In 2024, the City utilized Open Space Special Tax revenue to replace aging playground equipment at Windsong Park – ensuring this neighborhood park remained safe and enjoyable for kids.  
• Funds from this measure are also supporting stewardship activities on the Jacoby Creek Gannon Slough Wildlife Area.