Parks and public spaces are gathering places for our communities, gateways to exercise and healthy living, and places for children to explore, learn, and grow. Parks and public lands may also be located in areas that hold cultural significance for some communities, such as Native American and indigenous communities. They can also serve to enhance community resilience by providing needed refuge, with access to sinks, kitchens, bathrooms, and shelter for emergencies.
As a result of discriminatory land use practices and unequal public investment, low-income communities and communities of color commonly reside in areas of LA County that have less access to parks and recreation (among other resources such as jobs, high-quality schools, and health care).
Disparities also exist in the quality of park space, with parks in low-income neighborhoods often having sparser vegetation and fewer amenities. According to the County’s Parks Needs Assessment, only 18 percent of parks in the County are shown to have good infrastructure and only 42 percent have good amenities.
To remedy these inequities, the County will help make parks and public lands more accessible and inclusive and will manage them carefully so that all residents may enjoy their benefits.
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