Raleigh Parks Bond Referendum (2022)
The 2022 Raleigh Parks Bond Referendum was a voter-approved bond measure that provided funding for parks, greenways, and recreational facilities across the City of Raleigh. The referendum appeared on the November 8, 2022 ballot and was approved by voters.
The bond was the outcome of a multi-year planning and public discussion process that unfolded primarily in 2020 and 2021. During that period, the City developed and debated a proposed parks bond, initially considering placement on a 2021 ballot before postponing the referendum during the COVID-19 pandemic and revisiting it in 2022.
Background
Raleigh has historically used voter-approved general obligation bonds to fund parks and greenway investments. Prior parks-related bond referenda were approved in 2003, 2007, and 2014.
In 2020, the City of Raleigh began developing a new parks bond package to address capital needs, greenway expansion, neighborhood parks, and large destination projects, including early implementation at Dorothea Dix Park. [1]
Development of the proposed parks bond (2020–2021)
Advisory board recommendations
In 2020, the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board (PRGAB) reviewed capital needs and provided recommendations to City Council regarding priorities for a future parks bond. These discussions included project categories, geographic distribution, and emphasis on equity. [2]
Council discussion and public engagement
Throughout 2020 and early 2021, City Council held work sessions and retreats to review potential bond scenarios. City materials and public engagement tools collected feedback on proposed project lists and funding levels. [3]
News coverage during this period described a potential parks bond in the range of hundreds of millions of dollars, with significant attention given to Dorothea Dix Park, greenways, and maintenance of existing facilities. [4]
Postponement during the COVID-19 pandemic
City officials stated in 2021 that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the timing and feasibility of placing a parks bond on the ballot. As a result, the proposed 2021 parks bond referendum did not proceed to a vote. [5]
Transition to the 2022 referendum
In late 2021, City Council revisited the parks bond proposal, refining the scope and scale of projects and preparing to place a bond referendum on the 2022 ballot. City materials framed the 2022 referendum as a continuation of the earlier planning effort rather than a new initiative. [6]
2022 referendum
The parks bond referendum appeared on the November 8, 2022 ballot and was approved by Raleigh voters. The bond authorized funding for a range of park and greenway projects across the city. [7]
| Count | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 119,125 | 73.24% |
| No | 43,529 | 26.76% |
See also
References
- ↑ "Parks and Greenway Bond Projects" (link). City of Raleigh. (). Accessed January 27, 2026.
- ↑ "PRGAB discusses future parks bond priorities" (link). City of Raleigh. (). Accessed January 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Raleigh considers future parks bond amid pandemic" (link). INDY Week. (January 27, 2021). Accessed January 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Raleigh weighs large parks bond including Dix Park funding" (link). The News & Observer. (March 16, 2021). Accessed January 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Raleigh postpones parks bond amid uncertainty" (link). City of Raleigh. (). Accessed January 27, 2026.
- ↑ "City Council revisits parks bond for 2022 ballot" (link). City of Raleigh. (). Accessed January 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Raleigh voters approve parks bond referendum" (link). City of Raleigh. (November 8, 2022). Accessed January 27, 2026.
- ↑ "11/08/2022 OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS - WAKE" (link). ncsbe.gov. (). Accessed January 27, 2026.