Los Angeles continues to head the wrong direction on the Trust for Public Land's ParkScore rankings of the park systems in the largest 100 U.S. cities, coming in at 93 this year - down three spots from 2025. 

The Trust for Public Land took L.A. to task in a report called "Creating L.A.’s Park Legacy," which blamed the city's persistently low ParkScore rankings on “a century of leadership that failed to prioritize adequate or equitable park investments.” On the other hand, things could turn around as part of the upcoming charter reform proposal, which among other sweeping changes to City government, would double the Department of Recreation and Parks' required funding allotment.

Other Southern California jurisdictions fared better in the Other Los Angeles County jurisdictions in the mix include Santa Clarita, which came in 42nd this year (up from 63rd one year earlier), and Long Beach chiming in at 54 (up two from last year). Leading the back in Southern California is Irvine, which ranks second nationally after perpetual champion Washington, D.C.

Our friends at Urbanize Atlanta get to revel in their city's ascent to number 18 in the rankings.

Here's what we're reading this week:

Aerial view of Oceanwide PlazaShutterstock

Oceanwide Plaza buyer loses city’s favor, confirmation hearing pushed again "City of LA rejects KPC, Lendlease $470M credit bid, claims insufficient plan" (TRD LA)

Hackman Capital pushes LA pricing with Amazon-anchored ‘bull's-eye’ block "The Culver Steps is a symbol of this city's evolution into a media and tech hub" (CoStar)

Stretch of old Red Car tracks that became parkland to get long-awaited facelift "This portion, called the 10th Street Greenbelt, runs between Termino and Grand avenues. It was outfitted with a 900-foot concrete path in 2022. This next phase will add 48 Redbud, Oak, and Sycamore trees, native shrubs, solar lighting, boulder and bench seating, and several granite auxiliary trails that connect the surrounding neighborhoods to the path. There are no plans for restrooms or tables, officials said." (Long Beach Post)

View from southSCB

Onni’s $400M loan finds itself in special servicing again "Moved at borrower’s request, could be workout play as Onni plans office to resi" (TRD LA)

Eyes on the Street: Mid-City Greenways Construction Progress "New small roundabout and diverter nearly completed on Rosewood. Additional features coming this year." (Streetsblog LA)

The subway I have been waiting for my entire L.A. life "Metro’s D Line extension is not just functional. It’s the fruition of the dream of rail transit spanning nearly the length of one of the most heavily traveled transportation corridors in the U.S." (Golden State Report)

‘Kafkaesque’: One man’s struggle to build a hillside home in L.A. "The Mount Washington/Glassell Park Specific Plan illustrates how overlapping zoning rules can slow even small homes, complicating efforts to add housing in L.A.’s remaining hillside neighborhoods." (LA Times)

Follow us on social media: 

Twitter / Facebook / LinkedIn / Threads / Instagram / Bluesky