THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT (RPOSD)
AWARDS $12.5 MILLION IN COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR RECREATION ACCESS
AND YOUTH & VETERAN JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT PROGRAMS
February 27, 2023
LOS ANGELES, CA – On Monday, February 27, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) announced grant awards totaling over $12.5 million in funding for two Measure A competitive grant programs: Recreation Access and Youth & Veteran Job Training and Placement. This highly anticipated second cycle of Measure A competitive grants marks the first time that RPOSD is funding educational and interpretive programs and job training and placement programs in all its thirty years of grantmaking. These grants solidify RPOSD’s mission to promote equitable access to public lands and facilities and provide critical funding towards education, skills training, and job placement for youth and veterans across Greater Los Angeles County.
The Recreation Access program awarded $6.4 million in Measure A grant funding for education, interpretive services, and transportation that will enhance access to public lands and park facilities throughout the County. This funding will reduce geographical barriers by covering transportation costs to Countywide regional assets including the LA Zoo, nature centers, and seasonal events. A unique aspect of the program is a collaboration between RPOSD and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), who committed an additional $1 million in funding for Transit to Parks programs.
The Youth & Veteran Job Training and Placement program awarded $6.1 million in Measure A grant funding for education training and job placement programs that will result in jobs for Los Angeles County youth and veterans. This funding will provide exciting employment opportunities and internships for youth ages 18-25 and veterans, leading to jobs in the parks and recreation fields, including outdoor recreation, aquatics, welding, and landscaping.
“I am thrilled to see the implementation of these programs and how they will ultimately cultivate our next generation of park stewards and provide much needed park and open space access. Thanks to the support of the Los Angeles County voters and the support of the Board of Supervisors, we are making huge advancements in youth and veteran job pathways and recreation programs in our communities,” said Norma Edith García-González, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District.
“There is something so special about getting out in open space and experiencing nature – whether that is at our beaches, in Angeles National Forest, or at one of our beautiful local parks. But for too many residents, these places aren’t easy to get to. The Recreation Access grants program and the valuable partnership with Metro will ensure that more of our residents can enjoy amazing green spaces across Los Angeles County,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor and Board Chair Janice Hahn, Fourth District.
“The Measure A competitive grant awards for youth and veteran work training programs will translate into meaningful and transformational skills. Especially after the release of the Parks Needs Assessment Plus, it is exciting to see funds awarded to help expand the reach of programs that will provide solutions and increase access to green spaces in park-poor areas, as well as workforce opportunities,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District.
“These are the kind of programs that we must continually invest in because of the impactful partnerships that will be established between government, the non-profit organizations, and the communities we serve. I am looking forward to how they will harness the talent of local youth and veterans to advance and enhance future career opportunities that will ultimately benefit all Los Angeles County residents,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Holly J. Mitchell, Second District.
“I look forward to seeing all the creative ways grantee organizations engage youth and their communities through these two unique funding opportunities made possible through Measure A. LA County is fortunate to have so many beautiful natural resources and it’s imperative that we do all we can to expose young people to these inspiring public spaces,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Third District.
“By ensuring access to these programs, we are prioritizing our county’s future. Through partnerships with cities, nonprofits, and community-based organizations, we uplift youth and veterans alike with skills training and career pathways. This is an investment in our communities, in our workforce, and in our residents’ lives,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Fifth District.
About Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District
Since its inception in 1992, RPOSD has awarded more than $1.5 billion in grants to cities, County departments, state and local agencies, and community-based organizations for projects to improve and rehabilitate our parks, recreational facilities, trails, and open space lands. Our grants will continue to make life better in Los Angeles County by building stronger and safer neighborhoods, enriching recreational experiences, advocating equitable access to parks and open spaces, and preserving our natural spaces for this and future generations. By empowering initiatives that create, maintain, and improve our open spaces, RPOSD can help ensure that everyone in the Los Angeles County region benefits from all that parks have to offer. This is all possible thanks to the support from the people of Los Angeles County. For more information on the competitive grant programs and Measure A funding, visit the RPOSD website at rposd.lacounty.gov.
About Los Angeles County Department of 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 amenities such as futsal, basketball, tennis, lawn bowling and multipurpose fields, 42 swimming pools, 15 wildlife sanctuaries, 10 nature centers that serve as a refuge for over 200 animals, 14 lakes – 3 of which are boating and swimming lakes, 5 equestrians centers, more than 210 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and the largest municipal golf system in the nation, consisting of 20 golf courses. The department also maintains four botanical centers: The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, the South Coast Botanic Garden, Descanso Gardens, and Virginia Robinson Gardens. The department also owns and operates the iconic Hollywood Bowl and John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, which are jointly managed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, providing County residents with valuable entertainment and cultural resources.
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