Title
Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative Program Webpage - Citywide
Description
This report provides the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee with information about the newly launched Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative Program webpage.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
The Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative, also known as PPPI or 3PI, was approved by Phoenix voters in 1999. The initiative sets aside one cent from every ten dollars of sales tax to improve and renovate existing parks and to expand and enhance the City’s desert preserve system. In 2008, 83 percent of voters approved the renewal of the initiative for an additional 30 years.
Annually, the PPPI Oversight Committee composed of volunteer citizens established under Phoenix City Code Chapter 2, Article XXXII, reviews the expenditures of the PPPI program. The review consists of findings from an Independent Certified Accountant’s Report, which is an examination in accordance with attestation standards required by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The PPPI Oversight Committee’s annual review is held, typically in January, in an open public meeting forum.
As part of the month-end close process, the Finance Department transfers the Transaction Privilege Tax collections for the month into the appropriate funds based on each business classification. Sixty percent of the proceeds are used for improvements and renovations of City parks and for acquiring land for future parks. The remaining 40 percent is used for acquiring land and developing the City’s desert preserves, which includes trailheads and signage.
To improve transparency and provide a more unified source of information about the Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative, the Parks and Recreation Department partnered with the City’s Budget and Research Department, Finance Department, and Communications Office to create a dedicated webpage. The PPPI webpage, located at www.Phoenix.gov/parks3pi, includes features that allow visitors to explore project investments, view financial summaries, and learn more about the history and impact of the initiative. Users can also view fund balance reports on capital improvement projects, such as new playgrounds, trailheads, lighting upgrades, and water conservation efforts in both neighborhood and desert parks. The information on the webpage is organized into the following areas:
• PPPI Oversight Committee Meetings
• Annual Fund Balance Report
• Ballot Initiative Language
• Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFR)
• Budget Library and Adopted Budget
Photos of PPPI-funded projects are also displayed under the area of Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative Program at Work.
The Department is excited to share this new resource with the public. The webpage reflects the importance of the PPPI program to the City, as it enables the Parks and Recreation Department to build healthy communities through parks, programs and partnerships; and makes the City a better place to live, visit, and play.
The launch of the new PPPI webpage was also featured in a City News Article on August 6, 2025.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager John Chan and the Parks and Recreation Department.