To put more numbers into context consider the following data points:

• Parks and recreational areas have shown to increase property value between 8%-20% for homes within 500 feet. (Journal of Leisure vol 33, 2001 )
• Parks are recreational areas have been shown to reduce average medical costs by $250 for adults and $500 for people 65 and over. (Trust for Public Land study 2009)
• Cities that contain more parks, green space, and walkable areas, show more growth in community building, revenue, and property values overall. They show a decrease in medical expenses for the community as a whole. (https://conservationtools.org/guides/98-economic-benefits-of-parks)
• 95% of our population is under 65, 10% are under 5, and 32% are under 18. If you add the number of children and number of parents you get about 70% of our city's population. This means that the number of people directly benefiting from the use of the recreational space is approximately 70%. (US Census data website)

Clarkston has a strong soccer culture - so much so that an entire book was written about it. The Fugees's family success, as well as groups like Soccer in the Streets are evidence of hunger for more soccer here. It is our obligation to not only create more safe places for our youth to play, but to respond to the very direct need that our community clearly has.

What We're Asking For

• The approval of any current and future soccer field and recreational facility permits
• The establishment of a parks and rec. bond to fund additional, desperately needed, active recreational green space along the Montreal corridor & Brockett road in Clarkston
• The expansion of the midnight basketball league in cooperation with the DeKalb Police Athletic League (currently held at the one basketball court in the city - at the Clarkston First Baptist Church)
• The establishment of a Clarkston Recreation Department - to provide programs year round for youth, families, and adults.