Parks and other open spaces are essential to the health, well-being, and resilience of our communities. They serve as places to gather, play, exercise, and connect with nature, and, for many, they are also places of cultural and spiritual significance, particularly for Native American communities. During emergencies, these spaces can provide critical refuge and even offer access to amenities, such as sinks, kitchens, bathrooms, and shelter.
However, as a result of discriminatory land use practices and historic underinvestment, low-income communities and communities of color often have fewer parks and face greater barriers to accessing quality green space.
These disparities extend beyond acreage and include lack of vegetation, shade, amenities, and programming—leaving many residents without the full health, environmental, and social benefits that parks can provide.
To address these long-standing inequities, the County is committed to expanding access to parks and other public spaces, especially in underserved neighborhoods. Recognizing the fiscal constraints facing local governments, the County will pursue creative, cross-sector strategies and prioritize limited resources to advance park equity, protect biodiversity, and restore habitats and degraded lands, ensuring that all residents can enjoy the benefits of nature, now and into the future.
| Baseline | Progress | 2030 Target | 2035 Target | 2045 Target | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countywide | 49% of residents lived within half a mile of a park or open space as of 2018 Source: Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation |
62% of residents live within a half a mile of a park or open space in 2025 |
Increase the percentage of residents within half a mile of parks and open space to 70% |
Increase the percentage of residents within half a mile of parks and open space to 75% |
Increase the percentage of residents within half a mile of parks and open space to 80% |
| Countywide | Two public swimming pools per 100,000 residents, and one splash pad per 100,000 residents Source: Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation |
New target, no progress update |
Increase the number of public swimming pools to 2.25 per 100,000 residents and the number of splash pads to 1.25 per 100,000 residents |
Increase the number of public swimming pools to 2.50 per 100,000 residents and the number of splash pads to 1.50 per 100,000 residents |
Increase the number of public swimming pools to 2.75 per 100,000 residents and the number of splash pads to 1.75 per 100,000 residents |
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