According to the Seattle Parks and Recreation Web site: "The new 2008 Parks Levy passed with the support of more than 59 percent of Seattle voters."

The 2008 Parks Levy lifts the lid on property taxes and will take in more than $144 million over the next six years and to pay for projects such as green spaces, greenbelts, neighborhood park boulevards and playfields.

The most recent parks levies designated which parks would receive funds, but since this levy did not include park designations, the Oversight Committee - made up of eight City Council members and eight mayor-appointed members - will which parks will get the money.

The Oversight committee will also make recommendations and oversee budgeted expenditures for this calendar year.

"We want to get these projects underway as quickly as possible," said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, the Parks and Recreation committee chair. "Parks draw people together and help to build community," he said.

Joyce Moty, an Oversight committee member said, "In this time, where money is tight, I think it is even more important that we maintain those kinds of amenities for our citizens and work together."