but next, we have phil ginsberg, head of the rec and park department. >> thank you, supervisors. like a lot of the other department heads and the speakers today, this is an issue which has been incredibly important incredibly poignant. i'm raising two yen kids in the city. -- young kids in the city. we are presented with similar challenges of doing that. it is an important topic. mary had joked about stealing the logo. our mission is to help families through out. our primary focus of the department -- this is an important topic. i want to structure my presentation by making the connection that adrian had in her first presentation, a list of factors that impact families. the director also talked about quality of life issues. i am just a sort of making the connection between parks and open space and recreation, the fundamental purpose of this hearing is to help families that have been living in the area. it is clear and in disputed, -- and indisputed. parks improve safety. it has strongly been linked to reductions in crime and juvenile delinquency. their national organizations that

let's hear from joe ginsberg. -- phil ginsberg. >> it is a pleasure to be here to celebrate our trees and celebrate our community partnership. the recreation and park department has 131,000 trees. 131,000. thanks to voters in 2008. we have $5 million from the park fund that we are using to care for and maintain our trees. he will do it in the 2012 park fund in november. i do what should celebrate the incredible partnership with everyone here today. we like to say that we can't do it alone. at the arbor day, everybody. >> the department that helps us every arbor day to bring community groups out here and make sure that we have the right people educating many of our citizens about the environment and the director. >> let's hear it for the sun that is about to peek through the clouds. i am thrilled to be here today to celebrate arbor day and celebrate our magnificent urban forest with mayor lee, supervisor avalos, dpw and rec & park. it is no surprise that trees are essential to creating truly sustainable communities. there are a whole host of benefits that come from having a robust urba