Vidya Sethuraman
India Post News Service
In the past few years, LA has plunged in a national ranking of park systems in the country’s largest cities 88 out of 100. In a city already grappling with huge issues of inequality, lack of equitable access to green spaces and parks lies at the heart of the problem.
Especially in low-income and minority communities, there has long been insufficient investment in park resources, and many residents have no parks near their homes. At the EMS meeting on the Feb 21st, experts collectively spoke out and proposed a plan to revitalize the Los Angeles park system, aiming to give residents of every community equal access to green spaces.
Jon Christensen, Adjunct Assistant Professor, UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability pointed out that although Los Angeles has more than 16,000 acres of parks and 92 miles of trails, many small community parks have aging infrastructure and poor maintenance; especially in areas where green space is scarce, the health and well-being of residents are seriously threatened.
We urgently need to solve long-standing problems through the power of data and community. He pointed out that the Los Angeles city government is currently conducting a project called “Park Needs Assessment” (PNA), which aims to formulate a park development blueprint for the next 25 years and improve the equity and sustainability of the overall park system.
Jimmy Kim, General Manager, Department of Recreation and Parks said the project is not just about renovating existing parks, but about planning a more inclusive and equitable park system for the next few decades. He pointed out that the PNA assessment will mobilize extensive community participation, collect suggestions from residents in various areas, and design a park system that is more in line with actual local needs. He also emphasized that the project will increase the cleanliness and safety facilities of the park’s restrooms and enhance the park’s function as an emergency shelter.
Jessica Henson, Partner at OLIN pointed out that the process will be community-centered, emphasizing the opinions and needs of residents. She said, “We not only collect data, but will reflect it in the park planning to pay attention to and meet the needs of disadvantaged communities.” Henson shared that the PNA plans to hold more than 80 community activities and conduct multi-lingual questionnaires to ensure that more residents from different backgrounds can participate.
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