$26M in funding awarded for L.A. County Park projects

A parcel tax approved by Los Angeles County voters in 2016 to fund park construction and renovations is starting to bear fruit.

Yesterday, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District announced the awarding of $26 million in grant funds to 30 different applicants who sought funding to develop new parks and complete upgrades of existing public open spaces.

“Our local parks are some of the most important places in our neighborhoods and I think that too many of us took them for granted before the pandemic,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn in a statement.  “These grants are a way to empower cities and community organizations to expand and improve local parks and help us ensure everyone has access to open space where they can play, exercise, and just enjoy the outdoors.”

Applications were divided into three different categories, including:

1. Parkland Acquisition;
2. Regional Recreational Facilities, Multi-Use Trails, and Accessibility; and
3. Natural Lands, Local Beaches, Water Conservation and Protection.

Recipients included city agencies and local non-profit organizations. Some notable projects to receive funding include the renovation of the Watts Towers campus, a promenade planned near the Rancho San Pedro complex, upgrades to the Venice Pier, and the acquisition of land for a new park in the City of Bell. The full list, divided by category, is below.

Three cities with high or very high park needs were also awarded funding for technical assistance with grant writing and other professional consulting.

To date, more than $245 million in Measure A funds have been allocated to cities and other entities looking to develop or improve parks in Los Angeles County.