An announcement was made on Tuesday regarding the awarding of 13 grants by the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, aimed at enhancing green spaces and expanding parks across various communities. These grants, totaling $17 million, are part of the district’s initiative to utilize over $100 million generated annually from the Measure A parcel tax, which was approved by voters in 2016.
The funding will facilitate the creation and renovation of approximately 623 acres of parkland and natural areas. The grants were unveiled during a press conference held at Los Angeles City Hall, highlighting the district’s commitment to improving access to green spaces for all residents, particularly in underserved areas.
Norma E. García-González, the director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, emphasized the importance of community-driven solutions and equity in the distribution of these funds. "We have ensured that the hardest-to-reach places — where families haven’t been able to walk to a park — are finally getting the green space they deserve,” she stated.
Among the notable projects, Santa Clarita will receive nearly $1.5 million to purchase 456 acres of Vasquez Ranch, aimed at preserving open space. This acquisition represents about 73% of the total green space added through this grant cycle. Other cities benefiting from the grants include Altadena, Artesia, Baldwin Park, Carson, Covina, El Sereno, Montecito Heights, Palmdale, South Los Angeles, Sylmar, and Walnut Park.
Baldwin Park, Palmdale, Sylmar, and Walnut Park each received $2 million, the largest individual grants, to support various local park projects. Baldwin Park plans to convert a 0.55-acre parcel into a mini park on Puente Avenue, while Palmdale will purchase 125 acres in the Barrel Springs and Tejon Park areas for habitat and recreation development. Sylmar will use its funds to acquire six acres to expand Strathern Park West.
Additionally, the iconic Flat Top Park, which spans Montecito Heights and Lincoln Heights, will expand by 0.61 acres thanks to a $500,000 grant allocated to North East Trees, a nonprofit focused on increasing green spaces. Nearby, Elephant Hill will add 0.78 acres for conservation and educational purposes, funded by a $1 million grant to the preservation group Coyotl + Macehualli.
Other projects include a $1.2 million grant to the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy for the purchase of 22.68 acres in fire-affected Altadena, and a $585,000 grant to Artesia for a 0.06-acre addition to A.J. Padelford Park. Carson and Covina also received grants for modest expansions of their respective parks.
The Measure A parcel tax, which levies a 1.5-cent-per-square-foot fee on structural improvements, generated $117 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Since 2017, about $52.2 million in competitive grants has been distributed, demonstrating the district’s ongoing commitment to enhancing public spaces throughout Los Angeles County.
Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger remarked on the significance of these investments, stating that they serve residents across the county, whether through large open spaces or small neighborhood parks. The initiative aims to ensure that all communities have access to recreational areas, reinforcing the importance of green spaces in enhancing quality of life.