Department Organizational Structure

The Department of Recreation and Parks is a City Charter created independent department under the control and management of a five member citizen board of commissioners (Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners). The department is semi-proprietary, like the Library, meaning the department is responsible for some of its own collection, spending, and support.

As outlined in the City Charter, RAP has a dedicated stream of revenue receiving 0.0325% of assessed value of all property, but is eligible to get additional money from the City Council. The RAP Board of Commissioners is in control of its own funds. Any funding allocated by Charter Mandate or that RAP generates directly is controlled, appropriated, and expended by the Board.

This is an organizational chart for a city government, showing the hierarchy from the Electorate down to key departments. The chart illustrates a wide range of departments, including Police, Fire, and Planning, with the Recreation and Parks department highlighted in orange to stand out.
city-organizational-structure
City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, FY 2024-25 Org Chart, June 2024.
This organizational chart illustrates the structure of a recreation and parks department. The chart shows the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners at the top, which oversees a number of departments and divisions, including Public Information, Special Operations, Accounting and Finance, and Planning, Maintenance and Construction. The chart also lists specific facilities and divisions such as the Griffith Observatory, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and the Citywide Golf Division.
The Department of Recreation and Parks is Managed by the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners.
City of Los Angeles, Organization of the City of Los Angeles, July 2021.

RAP’S Authority from the City Charter and Administrative Code

In addition to controlling its own funds, the Department of Recreation and Parks Board creates necessary staffing positions and authorizes the Department to carry out the powers and duties imposed by the City Charter like the control and management of all recreation and park sites, establishment of policies, execution of contracts and agreements, and acquisition of property. Figures 102 and 103 highlight what RAP has the authority to control from the city charter and administrative code and what falls outside of their authority.

This diagram outlines the authorities and responsibilities of the city's Recreation and Parks (RAP) department. It shows how RAP has control over areas like park acquisition and public art and how it works with other entities like the City Council and LAPD to manage city parks.
RAP’s authority from the city charter and administrative code on parks and recreation facilities.
OLIN, 2025.
This diagram outlines the authorities of the city's Recreation and Parks (RAP) department regarding budget, contracts, and staffing. While RAP has some control over its own funds, the chart shows that the Mayor and Council ultimately set the budget and approve major contracts.
RAP’s authority from the city charter and administrative code on budget, revenue, and staffing.
OLIN, 2025.

While RAP has authority to manage its budget and much of what happens on Recreation and Park sites, some authority for recreation and parks is vested in other authorities.

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