Announcement

PRESS RELEASE – The Regional Park and Open Space District Announces Record $78+ Million for Parks and Open Space 1024 1024 RPOSD

PRESS RELEASE – The Regional Park and Open Space District Announces Record $78+ Million for Parks and Open Space

MEDIA CONTACT
Contact: Clare Dietz, Lee Andrews Group
cdietz@leeandrewsgroup.com, (501) 460-1148
Date: March 17, 2026

Largest Competitive Grant Investment in Measure A History Funds 72 Planning and Construction Projects Across 48 Awardees

LOS ANGELES – In one of the most significant occasions for parks in Los Angeles County history, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) today announced more than $78 million in grant funding to build, plan, and improve parks and open space across the County—creating jobs, strengthening public safety, and helping communities breathe cleaner air.

The awards will support 48 organizations, including cities, non-profits, and public agencies, to plan, build, and improve parks, trails, beaches, rivers, and open spaces from Long Beach to the Antelope Valley and Santa Monica to Pomona. The funding comes from Measure A, a voter-approved property tax passed by Los Angeles County voters in 2016 to expand and improve parks, open space, and the public health and environmental benefits they provide.

Nearly two-thirds of all dollars awarded today will go to communities identified as having high park need — neighborhoods that often bear the greatest burden of heat, poor air quality, and limited access to safe outdoor space — as identified in the County’s landmark 2016 Park Needs Assessment. In response to both the strength of the applications received, and the need for our communities to have safe spaces to recreate, RPOSD increased the total award amount from the original allocation of $58 million to more than $78 million.

“Today is what Measure A was built for: real dollars, real projects, and real progress in communities that need parks and green space,” said Norma E. García-González, Director of the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation and Director of the Regional Park and Open Space District. “This is the largest competitive grant investment in Los Angeles County’s history, supporting more than 70 park projects countywide. These investments expand access to nature and the outdoors, strengthen climate resilience, and advance community health — helping make Los Angeles County greener, healthier, more equitable, vibrant and socially connected for generations to come.”

County leaders emphasized both the historic scale of the investment, and the urgency of the environmental, public health, and public safety benefits that parks and open space provide.

“Today we are continuing to deliver on a promise to the voters of Los Angeles County,” said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “As the author of Measure A, I am proud that these investments are bringing much-needed parks and green space to Angelenos. Parks are essential infrastructure, especially in high need communities. They improve air quality, support mental and physical well-being, and strengthen the social fabric of our neighborhoods. While today is a day of real hope and progress, the work is far from finished. I look forward to seeing even more funding reach communities across the County so everyone can enjoy these vital resources.”

“Far too many neighborhoods have had to live with the consequences of underinvestment — higher rates of asthma, fewer safe places for children to play, and less of the green space that helps communities thrive,” said Second District Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “These funds represent a commitment to correcting that imbalance and delivering safe, accessible green space that improves public health, strengthens public safety, and creates economic opportunity where it’s needed most.”

“Measure A is helping move critical projects forward across Los Angeles County, turning community priorities into welcome parks and open space where families can gather, kids can play, and people can connect with nature close to home,” said Third District Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “These investment support healthier communities and bring more parks and open space to neighborhoods that need them the most.”

“Measure A is a promise to taxpayers that their dollars will deliver something real: more parks, more open space, and better access for every community. Families should not have to wait for another generation for the parks they deserve,” noted Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn. “That is why helping cities with technical assistance has been so important. This work has helped communities most in need of new parks build stronger projects and get the funding they deserve, making days like this possible.”

“This investment demonstrates the reach and impact of Measure A,” said Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “From our foothill communities to our valleys and coasts, these projects will strengthen neighborhoods create more spaces where residents can connect with nature and one another. Today is an important milestone for Los Angeles County and the health and well-being of generations to come.”

Fulfilling the Promise of Measure A

Today’s awards include:

  • Over $23 million for Planning and Design projects that will help communities prepare major park projects incorporating climate resilience, public health goals, and resident input.
  • Over $55 million for construction projects ready to break ground and be completed within the next four years, creating local jobs and resulting in park projects that reduce urban heat, strengthen public safety, and promote health and wellness in our communities.
  • Demand for funding far exceeded available resources. Applicants requested nearly two-and-a-half times the amount available, underscoring both the momentum behind Measure A and the continued need for park investment across the region.

Applications were submitted through an open call in July of 2025. Awards were recommended by independent expert panels that reviewed and scored projects using published criteria. This milestone also reflects years of work by local partners and RPOSD’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) to help communities with high park needs plan, build capacity, and deliver successful projects.

About Measure A and RPOSD:

The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District is a special district that collects property tax revenue and grants it to cities, nonprofits, and other agencies for new and improved open space, parks, and programs. Measure A was created following the 2016 Los Angeles County Park Needs Assessment, the most comprehensive study of park access ever conducted in the United States. The study found that millions of residents lacked access to safe, nearby parks. In response, voters overwhelmingly approved Measure A, creating a dedicated funding source for parks, open space, rivers, trails, and recreation throughout Los Angeles County. Since its passage, RPOSD has granted more than $225 million to cities, nonprofit organizations, and park agencies to acquire land, develop new parks, and improve recreational opportunities across the County.

More about the 2026 Grant Awards

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AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT: Largest Competitive Grant Investment in Measure A History Funds 72 Planning and Construction Projects Across 48 Awardees 1024 512 RPOSD

AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT: Largest Competitive Grant Investment in Measure A History Funds 72 Planning and Construction Projects Across 48 Awardees

We are thrilled to officially announce more than $78 million in grant funding to build, plan, and improve parks and open space across the County—creating jobs, strengthening public safety, and helping communities breathe cleaner air. Nearly two-thirds of all dollars awarded today will go to communities identified as having high park need — neighborhoods that often bear the greatest burden of heat, poor air quality, and limited access to safe outdoor space — as identified in the County’s landmark 2016 Park Needs Assessment. In response to both the strength of the applications received, and the need for our communities to have safe spaces to recreate, RPOSD increased the total award amount from the original allocation of $58 million announced in July 2025 to more than $78 million.

The awards will support 48 organizations, including cities, non-profits, and public agencies, to plan, build, and improve parks, trails, beaches, rivers, and open spaces from Long Beach to the Antelope Valley and Santa Monica to Pomona. The funding comes from Measure A, a voter-approved property tax passed by Los Angeles County voters in 2016 to expand and improve parks, open space, and the public health and environmental benefits they provide.

This is the largest competitive grant investment in our history, and it also marks an important moment in the awardees’ journey in turning their visions into meaningful community impact. 

Fulfilling the Promise of Measure A

Today’s awards include:

  • Over $23 million for Planning and Design projects that will help communities prepare major park projects incorporating climate resilience, public health goals, and resident input.
  • Over $55 million for construction projects ready to break ground and be completed within the next four years, creating local jobs and resulting in park projects that reduce urban heat, strengthen public safety, and promote health and wellness in our communities.
  • Demand for funding far exceeded available resources. Applicants requested nearly two-and-a-half times the amount available, underscoring both the momentum behind Measure A and the continued need for park investment across the region.

Applications were submitted through an open call in July of 2025. Awards were recommended by independent expert panels that reviewed and scored projects using published criteria. This milestone also reflects years of work by local partners and RPOSD’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) to help communities with high park needs plan, build capacity, and deliver successful projects.

We invite you to learn more about the grant awards by exploring the resources linked below.

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2025 Year in Review 1024 590 RPOSD

2025 Year in Review

As 2025 comes to a close, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) reflects on a year defined by resolve, partnership, and meaningful investment.  In the face of significant challenges, RPOSD remained focused on its mission: expanding access to parks, trails, and open space that strengthen communities and improve quality of life across Los Angeles County. 

As Director Norma E. Garcia-Gonzalez shared at this year’s inaugural Los Angeles County Park Funding Summit, progress is tangible: in 2025, one million more residents can walk to a park than in 2016. That outcome reflects sustained partnership across jurisdictions, the catalytic role of Measure A, and coordinated investment by local, regional, and state funders. At the same time, the work is far from finished. More than 3.6 million County residents still lack walkable access to a park. This gap continues to guide RPOSD’s focus on equity-driven investment and strategic collaboration.

At the core of RPOSD’s work is its Annual Allocation Funding Program, the District’s primary and most consistent investment tool. In 2025, RPOSD funded 57 park projects, in 20 different cities, and across 13 different unincorporated areas, committing $40.4 million to improvements across Los Angeles County. These investments support local agencies in delivering park renovations, amenities, and access improvements in communities large and small, ensuring that Measure A dollars translate into visible, on-the-ground outcomes year after year.

During some of the most difficult moments of the year, communities across Los Angeles County came together to support one another. RPOSD played an active role in these efforts, responding to the devastating fires by assisting with the coordination of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation’s Care Camps for impacted children and families and launching the RESTORE Program (Recovery and Emergency Support for Trails, Open Space, and Recreation) to directly fund fire recovery projects. As the same time, RPOSD reinforced its long-term commitment to park access and resilience through a historic $58 million investment in the next generation of parks, trails, and open space for communities across Los Angeles County.

RPOSD’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) continued to play a critical role in helping communities overcome barriers to park development, particularly in High and Very High Need Study Areas. By providing early planning, grant development, and project support, TAP helps jurisdictions and nonprofit partners compete successfully for capital funding. One recent example is the City of South Gate’s Circle Park, where TAP-supported grant development helped secure a $1 million Measure A Competitive Grant, later leveraged into $7 million total through additional funding sources. This outcome reflects how targeted technical assistance, “a little TAP,” can unlock larger investments and long-term community benefit.

Parks and open spaces are essential public infrastructure. They reflect shared values, support health and belonging, and create places for connection across generations. At a time when society feels increasingly divided, mediated through screens, and shaped by fear or enforcement even in public life, parks remain places where people still show up together. They are open, shared, and human. RPOSD remains committed to ensuring every community has access to spaces where belonging is possible.

RPOSD's Big Five of 2025

  1. $4.25 Million RESTORE Program Launched: In the aftermath of the devastating January 2025 wildfires on April 10, 2025, we launched the RESTORE Program (Recovery and Emergency Support for Trails, Open Space, and Recreation), a $4.25 million initiative to support the recovery and rebuilding of public parks, trails, and open spaces in the hardest-hit communities across Los Angeles County. You can learn more about our investments here: RESTORE Program – RPOSD
  2. Awarded $17 Million in Acquisition Grants: We made Los Angeles County 623 acres greener by awarding $17 million in grants through the Measure A Park Land Acquisition Competitive Grant Program, marking the largest parkland expansion effort in RPOSD’s 31-year history.
  3. Historic $58 Million Investment for the Next Generation of Parks, Trails, and Open Space: On July 15, 2025, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) announced a landmark $58 million investment—the largest competitive grant program in its history—to transform the future of parks, trails, and open space across Los Angeles County.
  4. Additional $6.4 Million in Measure A Dollars Launched for Park Equity Efforts: A second cycle of Technical Assistance Program (TAP) funding was launched in mid-June 2025, providing an additional $6.4 million to help eliminate barriers to creating new parkland in the County’s high and very high park-need neighborhoods. Since Measure A was approved, RPOSD has allocated more than $15 million to technical assistance. This round of funding introduces a new approach to the funding distribution that encouraged partnerships and collaboration between jurisdictions located in High and Very High Need Study Areas and nonprofit organizations and/or conservation corps.
  5. Hosted first-ever Los Angeles County Park Funding Summit: On October 10, RPOSD convened the California Natural Resources Agency, California State Parks, Wildlife Conservation Board, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, and Baldwin Hills & Urban Watersheds Conservancy to host the first-ever Park Funding Summit at Loma Alta Park in Altadena. The event brought together more than 150 participants from 65 cities, including park agencies, school districts, nonprofits, community-based organizations, and all five conservation corps. Attendees heard directly from funders announcing over $1 billion in future park and open space grants and connected with potential partners and Grantmakers to strengthen upcoming projects.

Happy Holidays from all of us at RPOSD!

First Ever LA County Park Funding Summit Showcases Over $1 Billion in Upcoming Opportunities 1024 683 RPOSD

First Ever LA County Park Funding Summit Showcases Over $1 Billion in Upcoming Opportunities

On October 10, 2025, RPOSD convened the California Natural Resources Agency, California State Parks, Wildlife Conservation Board, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, and Baldwin Hills & Urban Watersheds Conservancy to host the first-ever Park Funding Summit at Loma Alta Park in Altadena.

The event brought together more than 150 participants from 65 cities, including park agencies, school districts, nonprofits, community-based organizations, and all five conservation corps. Attendees heard directly from funders announcing over $1 billion in future park and open space grants and connected with potential partners and Grantmakers to strengthen upcoming projects.

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Artistic rendering of a widened beach with enhanced dune system
Lasting Impact: L.A. County Receives $5.1 Million to Advance Living Shoreline Projects 944 531 RPOSD

Lasting Impact: L.A. County Receives $5.1 Million to Advance Living Shoreline Projects
PRESS RELEASE – Historic $58 Million Investment for the Next Generation of Parks, Trails, and Open Space 819 1024 RPOSD

PRESS RELEASE – Historic $58 Million Investment for the Next Generation of Parks, Trails, and Open Space

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Glassock, mglassock@rposd.lacounty.gov, 626-223-7916
Date: July 15, 2025

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Historic $58 Million Investment for the Next Generation of Parks, Trails, and Open Space

LOS ANGELES – July 15, 2025 – The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) has announced a landmark $58 million investment—the largest competitive grant program in its history—to transform the future of parks, trails, and open space across Los Angeles County.

“This is more than a grant program—it’s a commitment to creating parks and open space in the communities that need them most,” said Norma E. García-González, Director of Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation and Director of RPOSD. “This $58 million investment has the power to deliver on the promises made to voters—transforming neglected spaces into vibrant parks, trails, and green infrastructure that will serve generations to come. We envision a Los Angeles County where every neighborhood has access, and where children and families can easily access a park, trail, or open space they can call their own.”

The 2025 Competitive Grant Program is designed to accelerate shovel-ready, climate-smart, and community-rooted projects. At least 30% of funds are reserved for communities identified as having High or Very High Park Need, according to the 2016 Countywide Park Needs Assessment. Additional consideration will go to projects in rural and historically underrepresented communities.

This latest investment builds on RPOSD’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that every person has access to green space in their community. Over the past two years, RPOSD has awarded more than $45 million in targeted investments to local park agencies serving LA County’s most park-deficient communities. In addition, RPOSD provided emergency wildfire recovery funds earlier this year and supported the acquisition of 623 acres of new parkland countywide.

The $58 million from this grant program will be awarded through three grant categories, each designed to unlock the full potential of community-driven park projects:

  • Planning & Design Grants – $18 million: To fund planning, design permitting, and engagement work to create shovel ready projects ready to compete for other funding opportunities. Awards range from $100,000–$500,000.
  • Natural Lands, Local Beaches, Water Conservation & Protection – $24 million: For shovel-ready projects that enhance water quality, habitat, and open space. Awards range from $500,000–$4 million.
  • Regional Recreation, Multi-Use Trails & Accessibility – $16 million: To connect the County through trail systems, regional parks, and inclusive recreation. Awards range from $500,000–$4 million.
About RPOSD:

The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) is a special district that grants voter-approved Measure A funding to cities, agencies, and nonprofits for new and improved parks, trails, and green spaces across the County. RPOSD ensures that investments reach the communities that need them most—improving public health, climate resilience, and equitable access to nature for generations to come.

Grant Programs Guidelines & More

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