Parks and Recreation

Playground and picnic benches in city park in San Francisco Bay Area.

Ensuring the Long-Term Care of Parks for Equity and Sustainability

Securing the care and maintenance of parks in the long-term requires sustained funding, equitable resource allocation, and political leadership and will.

November 17, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Chalkboard at Stoneview Nature Center park in Culver City, California.

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.

October 27, 2024 - Parks & Recreation Magazine

Black and white photo of Taylor Yard site in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles River in the 1890s.

Fundraising Begins for Development of 100-Acre Park in Los Angeles

River LA has launched a capital campaign to develop the 100-acre Taylor Yard Park, featuring amenities like a welcome pavilion, wetlands, and a pedestrian bridge, with completion costs estimated at over $1 billion.

October 21, 2024 - Urbanize LA

Young child riding scooter on gravel path in park.

How Local Parks Promote Equitable Outdoor Access

Targeted investments in local parks, improved infrastructure, and enhanced transit connectivity are essential strategies to close the nature gap and ensure equitable outdoor access for underserved communities.

October 20, 2024 - The Wilderness Society

Rendering of aerial view of expanded Exposition Park in central Los Angeles with multiple sports stadiums and park facilities.

Exposition Park’s $351.5 Million Transformation

This revitalization will create vital green spaces, improve accessibility, and enhance connections with community, making Exposition Park a central hub for recreation and culture in Los Angeles.

October 7, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Rendering of pedestrian walkway on hilltop at Puente Hills Landfill Park.

Puente Hills Regional Park Development Gets $15M Boost

The federal grant will help to transform the former Puente Hills Landfill into a 142-acre regional park, bringing much-needed green space and environmental benefits to the San Gabriel Valley.

September 27, 2024 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

View of dirt trail between shrubs with downtown Los Angeles skyline in background.

The Essential Role of Parks in Advancing Sustainability

Parks are vital to sustainability, providing environmental, economic, and social benefits that improve public health, support biodiversity, and promote equity, as recognized in Los Angeles County’s OurCounty Plan.

September 16, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Vacant lot on hillside in East Los Angeles.

Envisioning a New Park in East Los Angeles

Los Angeles County is working towards transforming underutilized land into a vibrant pocket park in the City Terrace neighborhood of East LA.

September 9, 2024 - Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation

Lone hiker on gravel trail at Eaton Canyon Natural Area, Los Angeles County

Connecting With Communities About Parks and Recreation

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting over 60 public meetings in September to connect with the public and gather input to inform decision-making and resource allocation.

August 27, 2024 - Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation

Group of children looking down at map.

Building Healthier Communities: The Role of GIS in Park Planning

Integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into park planning enhances community health by promoting physical activity, supporting mental well-being, fostering social connectedness, and addressing public health crises and climate change.

August 19, 2024 - Esri Blog

Aerial view of park playground in West Los Angeles, California.

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.

July 10, 2024 - Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District

Two young women hiking at golden hour.

LA County Parks Celebrates 80 Years with Free Summer Programs

The department has launched the ‘Let’s Play Outside’ campaign as part of its celebration of eight decades of fostering connections between LA County residents and the great outdoors.

June 30, 2024 - MyNewsLA

View of Puente Hills landfill site in Los Angeles County.

California Allocates $12.5 Million for Landfill-to-Park Transformation

The grant will help to convert a 142-acre site, a portion of the former Puente Hills Landfill, into Los Angeles County's first new regional park in over 30 years.

June 27, 2024 - Waste Today

White pelican with black wings flying low over water at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve in Van Nuys, California.

Revitalizing Sepulveda Basin: A Green Vision for An Urban Oasis

Developed through the input of thousands of community members, this is the first comprehensive plan by the City of Los Angeles for the 2,000-acre basin.

June 25, 2024 - ABC7 Eyewitness News

Rendering of Glory Park in Lewisville, Texas.

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas

The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.

June 18, 2024 - Lewisville Leader

Concrete walkway with landscaping, decorative tiles, and picnic tables in a Los Angeles County park.

Wish Granted: Former Brownfield Transformed to New Park

Wishing Tree Park in West Carson, California officially opened last month, replacing a brownfield site with a much-needed green space for recreation and respite.

June 14, 2024 - Urbanize LA

Gravel walkway along lake at Earvin Magic Johnson Park in Los Angeles County.

‘Parks After Dark’ Helps LA County Communities Thrive

Los Angeles County's popular Parks After Dark program continues to serve communities in need and offer multiple important benefits, as documented in a recent UCLA study.

June 13, 2024 - UCLA Newsroom

Large wood structure with bridge and people standing on it in green park in Toledo, Ohio.

Innovative Park Agencies Receive National Recognition

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) recently announced the recipients of this year’s awards for innovation in health and wellness, equity, conservation, and park design.

June 12, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association

Rolling green hills in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles

Regenerating and Healing Land Through Parks

Through thoughtful planning and restoration efforts, parks can help heal degraded land, meeting multiple community needs, improving soil quality, restoring native vegetation, and creating habitats for wildlife.

May 20, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Officials cutting a ceremonial red ribbon at Skyline Ranch Park in Santa Clarita, California.

New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley

The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.

April 18, 2024 - The Signal

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.

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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.