Los Angeles County Parks Department Releases Five-Year Strategic Plan

The L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation recently completed a strategic plan which details goals, strategies, and actions that reflect the agency's commitment to advancing equity.

2 minute read

March 16, 2023, 12:00 PM PDT

By Clement Lau


The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), one of the largest public park agencies in the country, recently released its 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, created to guide the agency's direction, decision-making, and growth for the next five years. The Plan sets forth a course of action for both DPR's internal improvements and external work across Los Angeles County. It also establishes benchmarks to track progress and ensure that DPR is meeting the stated goals.

The Plan was developed with extensive community and staff engagement and based on an anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion-focused framework. It affirms the department's commitment to prioritize funding and staffing for programming and park access initiatives that redress social, racial, gender-based, and environmental injustice in L.A. County, especially in the most vulnerable communities. Specifically, the six goals of the Plan are:

  • Goal 1: Promote play and well-being of youth, families, and seniors
  • Goal 2: Strengthen programs, experiences, and engagement in the community
  • Goal 3: Increase park equity and access to innovative park space
  • Goal 4: Invest in staff and volunteers
  • Goal 5: Provide stewardship of public lands, natural resources, and urban forestry
  • Goal 6: Advance organizational excellence

Each goal is a broad statement of what DPR seeks to accomplish to achieve its vision as a world-class parks and recreation organization. Following each goal is a set of strategies, which describe how DPR plans to achieve the goals. Each strategy has a list of actions that outline the specific activities that DPR will undertake to implement the strategies.  

To review and learn more about the Plan, please visit this website

Wednesday, March 15, 2023 in Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Front of White House with stormy sky above.

How the Trump Presidency Could Impact Urban Planning

An analysis of potential changes in federal housing, transportation, and climate policies.

January 19, 2025 - Planetizen

String lights across an alley in Cranford, New Jersey at night.

Midburbs: A New Definition of Suburbs

When the name “suburb” just doesn't quite fit.

January 17, 2025 - Gabe Bailer - PP - AICP - NJ Urbanthinker

Black bollards lining a curved sidewalk next to a cobblestone street.

Why Aren’t There More Bollards in US Cities?

Solid barriers, like the dormant ones in New Orleans, are commonly used to improve road safety in Europe. Why not here?

January 17, 2025 - MinnPost

Tall power line towers with blurred city lights in background.

How Microgrids Can Boost Community Resilience

Localized power grids, sometimes sourced from renewable sources, can make energy systems more resilient and reliable.

1 hour ago - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Tram and cyclist on Amsterdam street with sunrise or sunset in background.

Looking for the Light in a Dark Age

Professor Glenn Lyons offers insights about the challenges facing planners in times of rapid technological, cultural, and social change, in Local Transport Today's first ‘Deep Thinking Initiative’ article.

2 hours ago - Local Transport Today

Aerial view of Menlo Park in Silicon Valley, California.

Menlo Park to Develop Parking Lots Into Housing

The city will issue a request for proposals to build subsidized housing on up to three downtown parking lots.

January 23 - Palo Alto Daily Post

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.