LA County Parks Announces $21 Million In Grants Awarded For New Parks In Communities With High Park Need
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (LA County Parks) announced that five projects totaling over $21 million have been funded by California State Parks under the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program funded by Proposition 68. Funding included four grants awarded to LA County Parks and one awarded to the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust.
The funding is a transformative investment for new parks in areas with high park need. LA County Parks estimates that the new parks will serve over 900,000 residents. Community-driven involvement guided each of the projects, with participation in the park design surveys and workshops.
The following projects were selected for funding:
- 92nd Street Linear Park Development Project ($7,848,471)
The 5.5-acre park in the community of Florence-Firestone will include new jogging/walking paths, three half basketball courts, multi-purpose sports field, four playground areas, shade structures, exercise equipment, outdoor performance stage, public art, community garden, fencing/gates, and landscaping and lighting throughout the park. The site is a portion of the undeveloped utility corridor owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) that represents a transformational park project of open space. - Walnut Park Pocket Park Development Project ($4,322,842)
The 0.5-acre park will be the first park in the community of Walnut Park. Plans include two new playgrounds with shade, exercise equipment, splash pad, walking path, outdoor performance stage, public art, picnic, and BBQ area, landscaping, lighting, and a restroom/security building. The community has fought for a long time to see this vision of a park built in their neighborhood materialize and is eager for this project to come to fruition. - Whittier Park Development Project (South Whittier Aquatic Facility) ($3,013,000)
The park will feature a new aquatic center, entry plaza, interactive play area, exercise area, shade structures, picnic area, spectator seating areas, public art, walking path, landscaping, and lighting throughout the park. This project is in collaboration with Whittier Union High School District. - 95th & Normandie Pocket Park Development Project ($1,279,655)
The 0.16-acre pocket park for the West Athens-Westmont community will include a new play area with shade, therapeutic garden, space for rotating recreational activities, public art, storage shed, and landscaping. The transformation of this overgrown and forgotten corner on the busy intersection of 95th Street and Normandie Avenue into a lively and beautiful space for rest, play, socializing, and exercise will have a huge positive impact on the quality of life for the community members of West Athens-Westmont.
LA County Parks also celebrates that partner organization, the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust (LANLT), secured funding from this grant program by California State Parks for the Del Amo Wishing Tree park project. Once developed by LANLT, Wishing Tree Park will be operated and maintained by LA County Parks.
- Del Amo Wishing Tree Park ($5,000,000)
Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust will construct a new park in West Carson, one of the most high park areas in Los Angeles County. It will include a new baseball field, basketball court, two futsal courts, a community room with restroom, walking path with lighting, public art, playground, picnic area, parking lot, and landscaping throughout the park.
“These opportunities for new parks would not have been possible without the passage of Proposition 68 and the dedicated leadership of State Parks in creating a grant program that consistently holds community engagement and park need at its core center,” said John Wicker, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation. “Partnerships with organizations like the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power are crucial to bringing much-needed parks and recreational opportunities to communities in Los Angeles County.”
“The Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust is delighted to receive the Prop 68 grant for Wishing Tree Park, a project that’s possible because of the great support and partnership of LA County Park,” said Tori Kjer, Executive Director of Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust.
“LADWP is proud to help bring much-needed green space to the Florence-Firestone community with the creation of a park in our utility corridor,” said LADWP General Manager and Chief Engineer Martin L. Adams. “As LA’s neighborhood utility, we are committed to doing our part to enhance the quality of life of our customers and welcome the opportunity to serve the community through this great partnership.”
The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68), passed in 2018, directed $254.9 million to California State Parks for competitive grants to create new parks and enhance recreational opportunities. According to State Parks, this is the state’s most significant investment in grant funding history targeted for underserved communities. The bond also provides funds for aging infrastructure, amenities, and improvements to parks that will help attract new and diverse visitors.
To view the full list of projects awarded under Prop 68, visit the State Parks website at https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/938.
Media Contact: Katie Martel, Public Information Officer, kmartel@parks.lacounty.gov, (213) 304-9863
About LA County Parks and Recreation
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation manages 183 parks and operates a network of 9 regional parks, 38 neighborhood parks, 20 community parks, 15 wildlife sanctuaries, 8 nature centers, 41 public swimming pools, more than 200 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and the largest municipal golf system in the nation, consisting of 20 golf courses. The department also maintains four botanical centers: The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, the South Coast Botanic Garden, Descanso Gardens, and Virginia Robinson Gardens. The department also owns and operates the iconic Hollywood Bowl and John Anson Ford Amphitheatre which are jointly managed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, providing County residents with valuable entertainment and cultural resources.
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