The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is partnering with over 560 schools to provide students access to the outdoors, nature education, and recreational programming.
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) offers a large and diverse park system that includes gardens and arboretums, nature centers and natural areas, swim beaches, pools and splash pads, community centers, performance arts venues, sports fields, and multi-use trails. To enhance equitable access to these facilities, DPR is partnering with more than 560 schools to provide over 450,000 students access to the outdoors, nature education, and recreational programming.
Specifically, DPR has developed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) program to align with state law and provide clear, mutually beneficial agreement terms to maintain its longstanding partnership with schools. DPR has proactively reached out to all school districts and has held in person and virtual informational meetings and continues to partner with Los Angeles County Office of Education to outreach to superintendents and school districts to engage them in the MOA program.
Local school districts have a long history of partnering with DPR. Currently, DPR has several joint use agreements or arrangements in place with school districts across L.A. County to provide enhanced access to parks and recreational facilities. For example, completed in 2022, the Greater Whittier Regional Aquatic Center was made possible through a partnership between DPR and the Whittier Union High School District. DPR is also partnering with the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District to develop a new aquatic center in the San Gabriel Valley.
LA County Releases Funding for Parkland Acquisition in Underserved Communities
Los Angeles County has released $14.5 million in Measure A grant funds to support parkland acquisition in high-need areas, aiming to create additional green spaces and advance environmental justice and equity.
Parks for All: LA Looks to Residents to Help Shape Park Equity and Access
Los Angeles is launching a citywide park needs assessment to gather resident input on improving its park system, addressing inequities in access, and making the case for increased funding and long-term investments.
How LA County Parks are Fostering Equity
Los Angeles County's Department of Parks and Recreation actively engages the public through diverse methods to ensure parks and recreation programming align with community needs and priorities.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Massachusetts Budget Helps Close MBTA Budget Gap
The budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey includes $470 million in MBTA funding for the next fiscal year.
Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan
Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.
Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont