close
close

SCVNews.com | Los Angeles County Spends $14.5 Million on Parkland Acquisitions

Posted on by darion

The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District on Monday announced the Measure A Acquisition-Only competitive grant program, which is making $14.5 million available to fund park acquisitions throughout Los Angeles County.

This competitive grant program aims to add more parks, trails and green spaces in communities throughout Los Angeles County that need them most. Public agencies, nonprofits, community organizations and other eligible entities can apply by accessing RPOSD’s grant management system at https://grantfunding.rposd.lacounty.gov.

In July 2022, RPOSD allocated $9 million in technical assistance funds through its Technical Assistance Program (TAP) to 30 high- and very high-need park agencies to assist them in project preparation for upcoming Measure A grant funding cycles. In addition, RPOSD will also provide financial support to grant applicants to assist high-need park communities with the application process.

“Unlike ever before, Measure A provides communities with high and extreme park needs with a range of funding opportunities so that one day all children and families growing up, living and aging in Los Angeles County can experience parks, wildlife, recreation and nature in their own communities,” said Norma E. García-González, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Los Angeles County Regional Parks and Open Space District.

The guidelines for this competitive grant program are available on the RPOSD website and the application window closes on September 27, 2024. RPOSD will host a virtual workshop to provide an overview of the grant program eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria on July 18, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. For more information about the Measure A Acquisition-Only Competitive Grant Program, visit the RPOSD website at https://rposd.lacounty.gov.

“Through this unique funding opportunity, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District provides communities with a valuable opportunity to create more parks that will enhance both community enjoyment and the mental well-being of their residents,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley. “Investing in green space enhances the physical landscape of our local neighborhoods and fosters a sense of belonging, relaxation and respite. I hope applicants across the county will seize this opportunity to develop projects that will enrich the lives of their residents for years to come.”

Thank you to the voters of Los Angeles County who approved Measure A by nearly 75%. Together, we are building a greener, healthier, and more park-equitable Los Angeles County.

About Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District

Since its inception in 1992, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) has awarded more than $1.7 billion in grants to cities, county departments, state and local agencies, and community organizations for projects to improve and restore our parks, recreational facilities, trails, and open spaces. Our grants have and will continue to improve life in Los Angeles County by building stronger and safer neighborhoods, enriching recreational experiences, promoting equitable access to parks and open spaces, and protecting our natural areas for present and future generations. By supporting initiatives that create, maintain, and enhance our open spaces, RPOSD can help ensure that everyone in the Los Angeles County region benefits from all that parks have to offer. All of this is possible with the support of the residents of Los Angeles County.

About Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation manages 183 parks and operates a network of 70,079 acres of parkland, 475 sports facilities including futsal, basketball, tennis, bowling and multi-purpose courts, 42 swimming pools, 15 nature preserves, 10 nature centers that serve as habitats for over 200 animals, 14 lakes – 3 of which are swimming and boating lakes, 5 equestrian centers, over 210 miles of multi-use trails, the largest municipal golf system in the country consisting of 20 golf courses, in addition to the world-class Arboreta and Botanical Gardens and performance venues – Descanso Gardens, Los Angeles County Arboretum, Virginia Robinson Gardens and South Coast Botanic Gardens, and the Hollywood Bowl and Ford Theaters.