Envisioning a New Park in East Los Angeles

Park planning is a key function of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). DPR plans with equity and implementation in mind, ensuring that park plans prioritize the neediest communities and do not end up just sitting on bookshelves. Examples of such planning efforts include the Los Angeles Countywide Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment and Community Parks and Recreation Plans (CPRP) for underserved communities.

Each CPRP begins with an examination of local demographics, existing parks and recreational facilities, parkland gaps, recreation programs, tree canopy coverage, transportation and connectivity to parks, as well as availability of land for new parks. This baseline information, together with public input, informs a detailed assessment and prioritization of local park needs. This, in turn, guides the development of a green-space vision, conceptual designs of potential new park projects, and strategies and implementation actions to address the identified needs — with the overall goal of making the communities more sustainable through a variety of efforts that offer wide-reaching benefits and impacts.

As part of its ongoing efforts to implement the CPRPs, DPR has been working on the Folsom Street Pocket Park Planning Project in the City Terrace neighborhood of East Los Angeles with the goal of transforming a vacant lot into a vibrant public space. DPR has been seeking public input and collaborating with residents to ensure that the park meets local needs and desires. Environmental sustainability is a core focus, with plans for drought-tolerant landscaping and water-efficient designs to create a green space that enhances the quality of life for the surrounding neighborhood.