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 clementkhlau


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

Large historic homes and white picket fences line a street.

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

March 23, 2023 - The Washington Post

Amtrak Acela Express train passing through Harrison station in Newark, New Jersey

‘Train Daddy’ Andy Byford to Oversee Amtrak’s High-Speed Rail Efforts

Byford, who formerly ran NYC Transit and Transport for London, could bring renewed vigor to the agency’s plans to expand regional rail in the United States.

March 28, 2023 - StreetsBlog NYC

Buses in downtown Seattle on the dedicated 3rd Avenue bus lanes

Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations

An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.

March 28, 2023 - Axios

View of Statue of Liberty with New York City skyline in background

Immigration Grows, Population Drops in Many U.S. Counties

International immigration to the country’s most populous areas tripled even as major metropolitan areas continued to lose population.

March 31 - The New York Times

Detroit Sports Arena

$616 Million in Development Incentives Approved for District Detroit

The “Transformational Brownfield” incentives approved by the Detroit City Council for the $1.5 billion District Detroit still require approval by the state.

March 31 - Detroit Free Press

A red sign reads, “Welcome to New Canaan.”

Affordable Housing Development Rejected for Lack of Third Staircase in Connecticut

The New Canaan Planning Commission rejected a development proposal, including 31 below-market-rate apartments, for lack of a third staircase, among other reasons, at a time when advocates are pushing to relax two-staircase requirements.

March 31 - Stamford Advocate

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

HUD’s 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.