Countywide Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment

About the Program

Category: Parks and Recreation (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has been actively working to improve park equity within the communities it serves. In 2012, the County initiated the Master Plan for Sustainable Parks and Recreation: Phase 1, which analyzes and addresses parks and recreation needs in six of the most “park poor” communities in Los Angeles County. Building off the work done in these communities, DPR initiated the Countywide Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment in 2015, which was the first undertaking of its kind attempted nationwide. The Needs Assessment aimed to analyze park needs across the County, and develop a framework for the future distribution of parks and recreation funds. Together, these planning efforts exemplify an innovative approach to enhancing the environment and public health in underserved areas by incorporating a robust spatial analysis of park needs; thoughtful analysis of land and resource availability; dynamic community outreach; and creative approaches to site design, recreational programming and neighborhood greening. Many communities in Los Angeles County have relatively low median household incomes, a high number of minorities, a relatively high number of children, and lower levels of car ownership. They also typically have lower levels of urban tree canopy than recommended, and face high levels of crime. Additionally, numerous communities fall below the County goal of 4 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents, and large percentages of the population are not within a 10-minute walk to a park. As part of the Parks Needs Assessment, detailed analyses were conducted to help park planners and decision-makers to better understand the park needs of communities. Specifically, a thorough inventory of all parks was completed to document the type, location, and condition of the facilities.