Connecting Communities to Nature Close to Home

Los Angeles County’s Nature in Your Neighborhood program brings free, family-friendly wellness and nature activities to local parks, making it easier for residents to enjoy and connect with the outdoors.

1 minute read

May 27, 2025, 10:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


Canada geese and ducks on the shore of a lake with red brick boathouse in background across the lake in Lincoln Park, Los Angeles.

Kit Leong / Adobe Stock

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation has launched “Nature in Your Neighborhood,” a multilingual interpretive program aimed at making environmental education and connections to nature accessible for all. This initiative brings nature-based healing activities — such as yoga workshops, mindfulness exercises, and live animal presentations — to local parks across the county. The program is designed to foster meaningful connections to nature and promote wellness within the community. 

Open to all ages, the events are scheduled on select Friday evenings from May 9th to September 26th, between 4 PM and 7 PM, at 18 different county parks. Each event also features a health and wellness resource fair, providing attendees with additional information and services related to well-being. By bringing these programs directly into neighborhoods, the initiative aims to make nature-based experiences more accessible to residents throughout Los Angeles County. 

"Nature in Your Neighborhood" exemplifies the county's commitment to enhancing community health through accessible outdoor experiences. By integrating educational and wellness activities into local parks, the program encourages residents to engage with their natural surroundings, fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment and promoting overall well-being. This initiative not only provides recreational opportunities but also strengthens community bonds by bringing people together in shared green spaces.

Monday, May 19, 2025 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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

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.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Nevada State Senate building.

Nevada Legislature Unanimously Passes Regional Rail Bill

If signed by the governor, the bill will create a task force aimed at developing a regional passenger rail system.

5 hours ago - KRNV News 4

Blue sidewalk curb cut painted with white accessibility symbol.

How Infrastructure Shapes Public Trust

A city engineer argues that planners must go beyond code compliance to ensure public infrastructure is truly accessible to all users.

5 hours ago - Governing

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

Photos: In Over a Dozen Cities, Housing Activists Connect HUD Cuts and Local Issues

We share images from six of the cities around the country where members of three national organizing networks took action on May 20 to protest cuts to federal housing funding and lift up local solutions.

7 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine