LA County Releases Funding for Parkland Acquisition in Underserved Communities

The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) has announced the release of $14.5 million in Measure A Acquisition-Only Competitive Grant Program funds aimed at acquiring parkland throughout the county. This initiative seeks to expand parks, trails, and green spaces in high-need areas, allowing public agencies, non-profits, and community-based organizations (CBOs) to apply via RPOSD’s Grants Management System by September 27, 2024. To assist applicants, RPOSD will provide technical assistance and funding support for grant writers, particularly focusing on communities with high park needs.

In 2022, RPOSD allocated $9 million to help 30 high-need park agencies prepare for upcoming Measure A funding cycles. This year, RPOSD will host a virtual workshop on July 18, 2024, to outline the grant program’s eligibility and evaluation criteria. The program’s goal is to create equitable access to parks and green spaces, addressing disparities faced by underserved communities and promoting environmental justice and equity.

Members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors emphasized the importance of this funding in enhancing the quality of life for residents and highlighted the benefits of green spaces in fostering community, promoting physical activity, and improving mental health. They urged public agencies, non-profits, CBOs, and other eligible entities to seize this opportunity to develop projects that will enrich the lives of county residents for years to come.

Los Angeles County has significant park and recreation needs, as documented in the 2016 Countywide Parks Needs Assessment (PNA) and the 2022 Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+). The PNA is a comprehensive study of the diverse parks and recreation facilities throughout L.A. County’s cities and unincorporated communities. Prepared by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the PNA gathered data to determine the scope, scale, and location of park need in the county. Since its completion in 2016, the PNA has been invaluable in informing planning, decision-making, and resource allocation for parks and recreation.

In 2022, DPR completed the PNA+ which complements and offers new information not previously included in the 2016 PNA. Specifically, PNA+ includes data about access to regional parks, open space, trails, beaches and lakes, and local parks in rural areas, as well as mapping and analyses related to population vulnerability, environmental benefits and burdens, and priority areas for environmental conservation and restoration as well as regional and rural recreation.