Rural Parks Planning Underway in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is conducting a survey to better understand the park and recreation needs of rural areas.

2 minute read

June 24, 2021, 10:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


Antelope Valley, California

California poppies bloom above the Antelope Valley in Los Angeles County. | Sebastien Burel / Shutterstock

We all need parks. But what are the types of parks and amenities that people use or want the most? To find out, park and recreation agencies typically conduct some type of survey and needs assessment. The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is currently working on a focused update to the 2016 Los Angeles Countywide Parks Needs Assessment called the "Regional and Rural Edition." Specifically, the study will comprehensively identify, analyze, map, and document:

  1. The need for regional facilities, including regional parks, beaches and lakes, trails, and natural areas and open spaces
  2. The park needs of rural communities located in the Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Santa Monica Mountains, and Santa Catalina Island 

As part of this process, DPR is conducting various online surveys, including the latest one which seeks to better understand the park and recreation needs of residents in rural communities. The survey includes photos to help participants visualize and respond to questions like:

  • What are your favorite things to do outside?
  • Where do you do any of the fun activities you mentioned?
  • What do you and your household do for health and wellness?
  • How far are you willing to travel for a place to take a walk, a place to play, a place to swim, etc.?
  • What are the greatest park and recreation needs in your community?
  • What is the quality of the parks and trails in your community?

DPR encourages all residents of rural communities in L.A. County to participate in this latest survey. For more information about the Regional and Rural Edition, please visit the project website.

Monday, March 22, 2021 in SCV News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight