2023 Year in Review

As the year draws to a close, the team at the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) is taking a moment to reflect on the year.  2023 has been a year of growth and progress in our mission to preserve and enhance green spaces through grantmaking, and none of it would be possible without the steadfast support of the Los Angeles County taxpayers and our park partners.  Together, we have created and enhanced spaces that offer solace, joy, and connection. To each of our contributors and supporters – we thank you.

Let’s take a look at what we have accomplished together this year:

for improvements and repairs to park, recreation, and beach facilities; for acquisition and development of new parks and trails; for the creation of recreational programming; and for other park recreation enhancements.

Thank you to our grantees, whose collaboration and efforts have cultivated places where communities gather, children play, and memories are made.

For the better part of the year, the RPOSD team has been focused on two significant endeavors. The first is overhauling the Grants Administration Manual (GAM), our handbook that provides essential guidance to applicants and grantees on the application and administration of Measure A-funded grants. The revamp focused on identifying opportunities to streamline and simplify the grant administration processes while maintaining high fiscal integrity. RPOSD hosted review sessions with its stakeholders via virtual information sessions and focus group meetings as part of the revision process. Input from stakeholders was incorporated to enhance areas where streamlining and improvements were possible. The updated and streamlined GAM will go into effect on January 1, 2024.

The second main focus throughout this past year has been the replacement of the Grants Management System (GMS), our digital platform that enables grant application and administration. Working alongside our consultant, we have conducted extensive interviews with back-end and front-end users to draft a competitive solicitation to upgrade and replace the current grants management system.

We want to express our deepest appreciation to those who have participated and provided valuable feedback for both the GAM and GMS.

This year, our Technical Assistance Program (TAP) made significant strides, including the addition of two new staff members and internal restructuring. This reorganization established a standalone section aimed at enhancing program implementation to achieve Measure A’s overarching mission of park equity in the County. The primary objective of this new section is to achieve park equity in our high and very-high park-need areas. The new TAP section will actively engage with high park-need areas, disseminating information about available technical assistance and resources. Additionally, this section will oversee the recently awarded programmatic grants.

On November 7, 2023, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors acknowledged our 30 years of stewardship over parks and open spaces in the County. They honored RPOSD with a proclamation of the day as “Regional Park and Open Space District Day.” We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Board of Supervisors, our Board of Directors, for this recognition and their unwavering commitment to preserving and protecting our parks.

Looking ahead, we are eager to continue this meaningful work. We wish you a joyous and prosperous 2024 filled with countless adventures and memories in our beloved parks and open spaces!