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

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.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

1 hour ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

3 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

5 hours ago - The Washington Post