LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County has more than $33 million available for parks development and wants to put it to work in communities where green space is sparse, the parks department announced Tuesday.
The money comes from an annual parcel tax imposed by Measure A, the Los Angeles County Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks and Beaches Measure of 2016, which generates about $95 million annually.
“In 2016, voters passed Measure A by a vast majority — making clear that investments in green spaces are a matter of public health and social equity,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis said.
The Regional Parks and Open Space District encouraged representatives of eligible park development entities, including cities, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations and schools, to attend a workshop to learn how to apply for funding during this grant cycle. Projects may include recreational facilities, multi-use trails, water conservation and parkland acquisition. An additional $1 million will fund technical assistance to help communities with the greatest need for parks develop projects and write successful applications for the competitive grant dollars.
“Never before has there been such a significant need to make direct investments that lead to new park development in communities of color, which have been disproportionally impacted by COVID,” said LA County Parks and Recreation Director Norma Edith Garcia-Gonzalez. “During this pandemic, (parks have) provided respite, emotional and physical well-being for millions of Los Angeles County residents and serve as community hubs and safety nets to provide essential and social services.”
Workshop registration and more information is available at rposd.lacounty.gov.
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Jake says
Put those funds into security presence for all parks. Those old scums bags and gangster wannabes that hang out at the tables in Dominic Massari need to go!!
Long time east side Palmdale resident. says
I hope all the funds won’t be applied only to the west side of town. We all pay taxes the same!!!!!
tsparky says
If you look at a map of Palmdale and Lancaster parks they are evenly divided between west and east.
playground says
The quality of the parks (amenities) is not equal however. I believe the hope is that the money will be spent more equally on amenities.
Democrat Dave says
Isn’t the Water Park on the east side of Palmdale?
And the DMV, the Post Office and what else?
The folks who moved out to Ana Verde aren’t complaining like the folks on the east side about everything.
You’re supposed to check out that stuff when you buy a house or even rent if it’s important to you.
Renee J. says
What they’re complaining about is that the West side LOOKS nicer. Well, it does, and the reason for that is because people in the west side communities are mostly homeowners who take care of their homes, their streets and their neighborhoods. They call Code Enforcement when there’s any sign of neglect. They pick up trash and watch for suspicious activity.
I’m sorry to say this, but people on the east side just don’t seem to care as much. If you do, you get called a “Karen” and don’t get much support. This is why I left the east side. I tried for years to get my neighbors to care, but most didn’t. It’s frustrating when you live on the eastside and your street is taken care of, but you turn the corner and it looks like a pile of crap on the other street. I just said “enough is enough”, saved my money and moved.
I live in a smaller house on the west side now, but it’s worth it.
Laughing says
The wind blows predominately west to east in this valley.
Trash from the west blows east.
Might be a west side problem.
ha says
Water Park – not a county facility so does not apply
DMV – yes because little kids love going to the DMV
Post Office – ??? We are talking parks.
Mike P. says
Actually, people on the west side pay a lot more in taxes! The ratio of actual homeowners vs. renters is higher in the west side communities too. All of that makes a big difference!
playground says
For distribution of funding based on taxes from area, this is a good argument why west side get better stuff than east side.
DH says
Not only about homeownership but home values. Everyone knows that it is more desireable to live on the west side and there for houses cost more. When you buy houses at a higher value you owe more in taxes. So by that function people living on the west side pay more in taxes than those on the east side even amongst homeowners.