For those of us in the parks business, these have been pretty grim times. Budget cuts often fall hardest upon parks and recreation programs, both at the state and local levels. Given the economic atmosphere, however, there was a remarkable development recently in my town, Elk Grove.

Residents who were unhappy about budget cuts that required reductions in the care of their local parks approached the Cosumnes Community Services District, the special district that provides parks and recreation and fire services in Elk Grove, and asked to seek a community vote – as required by law – to implement a new park maintenance fee to offset maintenance cutbacks made necessary by a shortfall in maintenance funds. Their request came after a similar vote was defeated earlier in the year. The previous vote encompassed a larger area of the community and was soundly defeated, which required the district to reduce watering and mowing of parks and streetscapes in that area.

The new vote would be held in just three neighborhoods that were in close proximity to two neighborhood parks. And this second vote, because it would levy the new fee on a smaller group of homeowners, would need to almost double the amount of the original proposed fee increase, which was turned down by a whopping 67 percent of those casting ballots the first time.

The vote-by-mail was conducted, according to state law, over a 45-day period and began Sept. 21. Of the 864 property owners in the neighborhoods, 486, or 56 percent, returned ballots. The law requires approval by just a simple majority of those casting ballots. The second vote resulted in overwhelming approval, winning 74 percent of the vote of property owners, who agreed to a new annual park maintenance fee of $130.

So does this tell us something about the current state of public sentiment about paying for government services? I think so, and it's fairly simple. Nobody likes to pay higher taxes, but if the residents truly understand and appreciate the service they are paying for, they will. In this case, the service being provided by government – namely, the Cosumnes Community Services District – was clear: the watering and mowing of turf in their neighborhood parks.

When the vote was conducted on a wider basis, and included property owners who didn't see the declining condition of those two parks on a daily basis, it was defeated. But when the question was put to people who were witnessing the effect of this reduction in government services, it was approved.

My friend and board colleague Gil Albiani, a real estate agent, believes there is something else at play here. Even in a down economy – and maybe especially in a down economy – people care about the appearance of their neighborhoods, which includes the upkeep of their neighborhood parks. Maybe that's because they still have vivid memories of how things looked during the rash of home foreclosures. Gil has seen a vast improvement in the appearance of Elk Grove neighborhoods since many of the foreclosed homes have been resold. "People care deeply about their neighborhoods and their property values," Gil explained. "That's why we saw neighbors mowing and watering the lawns of vacant foreclosed homes."

I believe what happened in Elk Grove not only sends a message to the district but to government at all levels. If government is to ask citizens to part with more of their hard-earned dollars, the public must understand the direct connection between the government services they will receive and the taxes they will pay. For its part, government must continue its efforts to educate the public on the services it provides. These efforts must continue even when money is tight. In fact, it's especially important during such times.

But the public must also accept some responsibility. Yes, we all lead busy lives, but there is a responsibility for living in a democracy, and that is participation. To participate, we must make the effort to be informed and make our decisions accordingly. It seems to me that that participation is the essence of America and has been since the beginning of our great country and its democracy.