Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) highly values partnerships with schools to enhance equitable access to facilities for athletic and educational programs across Los Angeles County.
We have updated our business practices to align with State law and provide clear, mutually beneficial agreement terms that enable our longstanding partnership with schools.
These new practices allow all school districts wishing to use our facilities to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DPR, whose Planning and Development Agency will work closely with the School Board to execute the MOA. In preparation of the MOA and to ensure availability for school use of DPR facilities, you may work with the requested facility or the community service field agency reservations team to ensure the availability of the requested amenities. In the case of our Botanic Gardens, they each have individual foundations that can be approached regarding availability. Once the MOA is executed, these same connections will handle your reservations.
- North Agency Reservations NorthReservations@parks.lacounty.gov
- East Agency Reservations EastReservations@parks.lacounty.gov
- South Agency Reservations SouthReservations@parks.lacounty.gov
- Regional Agency reservations are handled directly through the facilities. Please click here for a list of phone numbers.
- Botanic Gardens each have a foundation that manages and schedules activities independently.
The MOA replaces all prior permit and day use forms.
TERMS
The MOA has an initial term of one (1) year with an option to extend the term for an additional four (4) years for day-use permitting and extended, recurring use of County parks. Per the MOA, schools must comply with indemnification and insurance provisions provided by the County Executive Office of Risk Management, which has insurance options tailored to the type of school. The MOA requires approval by the appropriate governing school board; each school is required to submit proof of board authority.
APPLICATION
DPR has an online application system, Epic-LA. Directions for creating an EPIC-LA account, as well as a step-by-step process to successfully apply for an application are available in the Quick Links as well as here.
QUICK LINKS
For all correspondence on the MOA, please use the following email address:
MOAforschools@parks.lacounty.gov
Or click the button below:
FEES & PARK IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM
Fee Structure: DPR provides an in-lieu or reduced rental fee structure for all K-12 school-sponsored athletic programs, excluding aquatics and certain other uses (see below for exceptions). These rates are provided to mirror the Core and Community Program Partnerships, adopted by the County Board of Supervisors on February 23, 2021, that facilitate community-based organizations use of County facilities for free or a reduced rental fee.
In-lieu Program Option: Upon a school’s request, DPR’s Planning and Development Agency will work with our field operating agencies to develop an In-lieu Program for K-12 school-sponsored athletics. Schools would provide direct contributions to DPR; the fair market value of the direct contributions shall be roughly equivalent to base rental fees. Examples of direct contributions include the following:
| DPR Facility Management | Funding for DPR Programs and/or Projects | In-Kind Goods and Services |
Discounted Fee Option: Alternatively, schools may choose to pay the 25 percent discounted rental fee offered to community organizations for K-12 school-sponsored athletics. The current DPR Facility Rental Fee Schedule, both the Full rate as well as the 25 percent discount, is listed as the Core and Community Program Partnerships rate.
Full Fee Program: For all other educational institutions (not K-12) and for K-12 school aquatics and certain other uses, schools shall pay the full rental fee according to the DPR Facility Rental Fee Schedule. K-12 uses subject to the Full Fee Program include, but are not limited to:
| Aquatics Use | Cross-country training and events | Graduations |
| School Picnics | Fundraising Activities | Field Trips |
Additional Fees & Charges: In addition, facility use outside of standard operating park hours and any use of indoor facilities will require an additional charge for staff time based on County’s annual salary rates. The DPR field agency operating the facility will provide a staffing cost estimate upon request.