BY SONAM MIRPURI
LOS ANGELES, CA - An open space for children to play in is an important aspect in every neighborhood. Parks and open spaces can be an amazing place for individuals in a community to take their children to be kids. This was the crux of the meeting held by LA County at John the Baptist Church, in Baldwin Park on May 26.
LOS ANGELES, CA - An open space for children to play in is an important aspect in every neighborhood. Parks and open spaces can be an amazing place for individuals in a community to take their children to be kids. This was the crux of the meeting held by LA County at John the Baptist Church, in Baldwin Park on May 26.
The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District held a series of eleven meetings at various locations. Park representatives came to the meetings to talk to park users throughout Los Angeles County to share findings of the Needs Assessment study and to discuss the next steps to fund measures to support parks.
Findings from the Needs Assessment study indicated that more than 51 percent of Los Angeles residents do not live within half a mile of a park which is far below the national average. The study additionally indicated a need for about $21.5 billion to support the Los Angeles County’s neighborhood parks and open spaces. The study also indicated many other important findings.
Previously the parks were supported by Proposition A, to invest in parks and recreation projections throughout the county, which began in 1992 and again in 1996. Prop A did two things: firstly it created the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District , while secondly it approved an annual property tax for virtually all parcels of real property in Los Angeles County. This was disclosed by Alina Bokde, Executive Director Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust.
Unfortunately, the part of Prop A which began in 1992 expired in 2015 which lost about $60 million annually. The other part of Prop A which began in 1996 will expire in 2019 which will allow for an additional $21 million loss annually.
In order to make up for the loss from the approaching end of Prop A, the County Board of Supervisors created Proposition P. This new Prop was placed on the ballot in 2014, however it did not pass. The County Board of Supervisors will review and take action on the potential park funding measure on June 21, which will determine whether the measure is placed on the November 2016 ballot.
Findings from the Needs Assessment study indicated that more than 51 percent of Los Angeles residents do not live within half a mile of a park which is far below the national average. The study additionally indicated a need for about $21.5 billion to support the Los Angeles County’s neighborhood parks and open spaces. The study also indicated many other important findings.
Previously the parks were supported by Proposition A, to invest in parks and recreation projections throughout the county, which began in 1992 and again in 1996. Prop A did two things: firstly it created the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District , while secondly it approved an annual property tax for virtually all parcels of real property in Los Angeles County. This was disclosed by Alina Bokde, Executive Director Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust.
Unfortunately, the part of Prop A which began in 1992 expired in 2015 which lost about $60 million annually. The other part of Prop A which began in 1996 will expire in 2019 which will allow for an additional $21 million loss annually.
In order to make up for the loss from the approaching end of Prop A, the County Board of Supervisors created Proposition P. This new Prop was placed on the ballot in 2014, however it did not pass. The County Board of Supervisors will review and take action on the potential park funding measure on June 21, which will determine whether the measure is placed on the November 2016 ballot.
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