Los Angeles, a city famous for its entertainment industry, year-round sunshine, and rich cultural offerings, is grappling with profound inequities in its park system.
Despite its outward charm, a recent ranking by the Trust for Public Land placed Los Angeles 90th out of 100 major metropolitan areas in terms of parks score, indicating a significant gap in equity, access, and amenities.
This disparity in park resources has not gone unnoticed by the residents, many of whom see hidden potential within these spaces, yearning for more investment and better facilities in their local parks.
According to the Trust for Public Land’s annual parks score rankings, which evaluates multiple criteria including equity, access, investment, amenities, and overall acreage, Los Angeles’s performance in these areas is concerning.
For instance, in terms of amenities that support diverse user groups, the city scored below average.
Specific scores reveal stark contrasts: basketball courts scored just 38 out of 100, sports fields and diamonds received a disappointing five points, while playgrounds garnered a mere 11 points.
The inequity extends deeper when examining access to green space.
Residents of neighborhoods predominantly made up of people of color have access to 72% less park space compared to their white counterparts.
Those living in lower-income areas face an even steeper challenge—accessing 79% less nearby park space than those in higher-income neighborhoods.
Nayeli Maldonado, a resident who takes her dog for daily walks, highlighted a need for parks with water features reminiscent of Echo Park Lake.
She expressed a desire for more parks with bodies of water, which not only enhance recreational enjoyment but also create habitats for wildlife.
“I like parks with some type of body of water, especially places where you can sit and watch the boats pass by,” she stated.
Maldonado’s sentiments underscore a broader community desire for parks that enhance both aesthetic value and ecological diversity.
Access to parks is particularly urgent in Los Angeles.
Currently, only 62% of Angelenos live within a ten-minute walk of a park, falling short of the 76% average in other major U.S. cities.
This represents over 1.5 million residents who do not have immediate access to green spaces, with neighborhoods like South Central L.A. particularly affected.
The lack of park space is not merely an aesthetic issue; it is closely linked to health outcomes.
Research by the Prevention Institute in partnership with UCLA and local community organizations has shown that the dearth of parks in South Central contributes directly to poor health metrics in the area.
With averages of just 1.6 and 0.7 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents in high-need neighborhoods, many residents have limited opportunities for physical activity and nature exposure, leading to adverse health conditions.
The median life expectancy in South L.A. is approximately 77 years, a stark contrast to the 90 years of residents in wealthier areas like Beverly Hills.
Chad J., a local resident, noted the need for recreational spaces where families can bond.
He expressed that a new park could significantly influence community life, ideally including a playground for children.
With climate change escalating summer temperatures in Los Angeles, parks are becoming increasingly important as safe havens for communities.
Chad emphasized the need for shaded areas within parks, stating, “We definitely need more trees in parks” to combat rising temperatures.
In addition to shade, parks serve as vital community hubs.
L.A.’s Department of Parks and Recreation offers a range of programs that are either free or low-cost, including fitness classes, arts and crafts, and wellness initiatives.
Visitors like Clara and Margaret cherish parks like Los Angeles Historic Park for their community programming.
“I like how this park has activities such as movie screenings and other events,” Margaret said, highlighting her desire to see similar programming in other parks.
For many, cleanliness and tranquility are also essential aspects of parks.
Margaret emphasized the pleasure of finding calm spaces where residents can de-stress amidst the hectic urban environment.
Moreover, Clara pointed out the importance of pet-friendly parks, a sentiment shared by many pet parents across the city.
Maldonado brought attention to the need for more affordable fitness options in parks, as classes like Pilates can be cost-prohibitive for many low-income residents.
Gabriele Camarillo raised concerns about physical accessibility in parks, noting hazards such as gopher holes that can pose risks to those with disabilities and the elderly.
He also advocated for extended park hours, especially during the winter months when sunset occurs earlier.
“With the right lighting, maybe even solar lighting, park hours can be extended,” Camarillo suggested.
Funding for Los Angeles parks comes from various sources, including charter-mandated property taxes and county measures aimed at supporting open spaces.
Despite these efforts, ongoing budget cuts at all government levels continue to challenge sustainable investment in the parks system.
As announced in this year’s budget discussion, the Parks and Recreation Department is making selective fee increases, although most programs will remain free.
The county recently acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining services amid resource constraints, appealing to the public for understanding.
Amid these challenges, significant initiatives are underway to bolster park access and resources in Los Angeles.
In July, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District announced a landmark $58 million investment to revitalize parks across the county, emphasizing that at least 30% of these funds will be allocated to communities identified with high park needs.
Norma E. García-González, director of L.A. County Parks and Recreation, expressed hope that this investment would transform neglected spaces into vibrant community parks.
The announcement also pointed to future possibilities in South Central, where a $4.2 million Measure A grant is set to be utilized for improvements to the South L.A. Wetlands Park.
While no updates have emerged since the announcement, community advocates remain optimistic about the revitalization of this neglected park, envisioning a transformed green space at the heart of South Central Los Angeles.
As local residents continue advocating for enhanced parks and equitable green spaces, the community’s commitment to environmental justice and public health shines through, emphasizing the essential role of parks in fostering healthy, thriving communities.
image source from：losangelesblade
