LA County Parks Celebrates 80 Years with Free Summer Programs

The County of Los Angeles has launched the “Let’s Play Outside” campaign in celebration of 80 years of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). The initiative includes free programming throughout July, offering children diverse activities such as playing outdoors, exploring nature, and swimming. County Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Hilda Solis introduced the campaign along with the “Outdoor Children’s Bill of Rights,” which outlines ten activities children can enjoy at county facilities.

The campaign aims to ensure that all children, regardless of background or location, have access to nature and recreational opportunities. A few of the activities listed in the “Outdoor Children’s Bill of Rights” are fishing, camping, biking, boating, and planting seeds. DPR manages numerous facilities and programs, emphasizing the importance of outdoor spaces for community well-being and child development.

In addition to regular programming, DPR has partnered with organizations like Rancho Los Amigos and Special Olympics to offer free adaptive sports and bike riding classes. To mark its 80th anniversary, DPR also curated a virtual exhibit featuring historic photos of playgrounds and park development over the decades. The department's director, Norma E. García-González, highlighted its ongoing mission and efforts to connect the community with nature and preserve culturally and ecologically significant sites.