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LA PARKS - The Los Angeles Parks Foundation has engaged and released an in-depth evaluation of the Community School Parks (CSP) program; a strategic initiative designed to expand equitable access to recreational space across Los Angeles. The report arrives at a critical juncture, as Los Angeles grapples with persistent inequities in access to safe and accessible public spaces. Prompted by a 2023 City Council motion authored by Councilmember Nithya Raman, the program has led to the opening of ten new Community School Parks, offering residents expanded access to playgrounds, sports fields, and courts beyond traditional school hours. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the interagency partnership between the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP), and outlines actionable recommendations to scale this model to meet the city's growing demand for equitable open space.
Michael Shull, board member of the LA Parks Foundation and former General Manager of the City’s Department of Recreation and Parks, served as the primary author of the study, collaborating with fellow board member and former Commissioner on the Department of Recreation and Parks Board Joseph Halper as co-author. The findings highlight CSP program’s effectiveness in expanding access to recreational spaces, particularly in neighborhoods where residents lack a public park within a half-mile walking distance from their homes—a key equity concern across Los Angeles. “With the launch of this report, our hope is that the information and critical findings detailing the robust collaboration between the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles United School District, and Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks will serve as a cornerstone for building park equity across Los Angeles,” noted Tony Budrovich, President & CEO of the LA Parks Foundation. “With the launch of this report, our hope is that the information and critical findings detailing the robust collaboration between the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles United School District, and Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks will serve as a cornerstone for building park equity across Los Angeles.”
The public can access the full report HERE. In a city where public green space is a lifeline for families, the report sheds light on a few takeaways on how park access can be further expanded to all Angelenos:
o Data from RAP indicates that less than two thirds (64%) of city residents are situated within a half-mile walking distance to a park with low-income communities of color having disproportionately lower park acreage per capita. Health research has shown a higher prevalence of diabetes, morbidity, and obesity in these areas. To enhance the proportion of residents with access to parks, a significant increase in the number of CSP sites is needed.
o The success of this initiative hinges on securing both private and public funding, which the LA Parks Foundation is positioned to assist in raising. The report recommends implementing a no less than10-year strategy aimed at establishing 200 CSP sites, incorporating community feedback. This plan will encompass operational staffing, support from non-profit and philanthropic organizations, as well as funding strategies to ensure the program's sustainability.
o The City and LAUSD should move forward together to craft a mutually agreeable joint powers agreement (JPA) that simplifies and accelerates the process by covering all schools under a single, unified framework rather than having to renegotiate individual agreements every time a new school is under consideration.
o There is widespread consensus on the need to ensure equitable access to parks in fully developed areas of the city that lack local parks or open spaces, enabling residents to reach a park within a short walking distance. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) should prioritize the advantages of public service, which significantly surpass concerns related to liability and restrictions. Allowing public access to school campuses during weekends and holidays benefits residents across all neighborhoods in Los Angeles, fostering safe, vehicle-free recreational areas for children and families.
Los Angeles Parks Foundation's work to enhance, expand, preserve, and promote public recreation, parks, and open space is more important than ever. For more information or to donate, please visit: www.laparksfoundation.org
(Michael Shull, board member of the LA Parks Foundation and former General Manager of the City’s Department of Recreation and Parks, served as the primary author of the study, collaborating with fellow board member and former Commissioner on the Department of Recreation and Parks Board Joseph Halper as co-author.)
