Engagement

Community engagement was foundational to the development of the Parks Needs Assessment (PNA).

The engagement process raised awareness of the role the Department of Recreation and Parks plays in the City, collected input on needs and opportunities that reflect the diverse cultures and communities of Los Angeles, and gave voice to communities that have been traditionally excluded from planning and design conversations. Over 100,000 Angelenos participated in the development of the PNA.

Engagement for the PNA sought to meet people where they are, popping up at community events across the City, providing venues for in-person open houses and worksessions, hosting virtual meetings and events, as well as working with 12 community partner organizations that have established community ties to engage their networks. Across various phases of engagement, space was created for meaningful conversations that reflect the diverse needs of LA.

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Meetings and Outreach
What We Heard
Council Member Monica Rodriguez speaking to community members at a Park Needs Assessment meeting in Lake View Terrace, with presentation boards and maps displayed behind her
Council Member Monica Rodriguez gives opening remarks for a PNA Community Meeting at Lake View Terrace.
The Robert Group, 2025.

Engagement Timeline

Outreach and engagement was structured into three phases that aligned with the phases of the PNA’s development. This draft PNA will be updated based on community feedback in Phase III throughout the Fall of 2025!

Phase I - Assess Understanding

February–April 2025

The goal of Phase I engagement was to increase residents’ awareness of the PNA, the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP), and the city’s park system. Digital, analog, and in-person outreach and engagement encouraged widespread participation from community members and key groups. Over 5,000 Angelenos completed a short, long, or statistically valid survey that assessed park needs and opportunities across the city.

Phase II - Understanding Priorities

April–August 2025

The goal of Phase II engagement was to share findings from the Phase I survey as well as from technical analyses of RAP’s finances and facility conditions. A Phase II survey asked community members for their reactions to Phase I survey findings and their priorities for park improvements. This information was crucial in the formation of this Draft PNA document.

Phase III - Sharing Analysis Results

September–November 2025

The goal of Phase II engagement will be to get feedback on the Draft PNA. Feedback provided in person and online will be integrated into the Final PNA by the end of 2025! Scan the QR code here to go online and provide feedback via our project website needs.parks.lacity.gov!

Engagement Across the City

Community feedback from across LA has been foundational to the Park Needs Assessment. Residents stopped by information tables set up at community events, came and shared thoughts while walking around parks, and attended community workshops and equity sessions held across the city. In addition, thousands of community members participated digitally in virtual meetings and by taking online surveys.

Phase 1 Engagement Meetings

  1. Ramona Hall (CD 1)
  2. Wilmington Rec Center (CD 15)
  3. Algin Sutton Rec Center (CD 8)
  4. Victory Vineland Rec Center (CD 2)
  5. Tarzana Rec Center (CD 3)
  6. Westchester Rec Center (CD 11)
  7. Lincoln Park Senior Center (CD 14)

Phase 2 Engagement Meetings

  1. JT Harvard Rec Center (CD 8)
  2. Lake View Terrace Rec Center (CD 7)
  3. Lafayette Rec Center (CD 10)
  4. South Park Rec Center (CD 9)
  5. Evergreen Rec Center (CD 14)
  6. Peck Park Rec Center (CD 15)
  7. Friendship Auditorium (CD 4)
  8. Sepulveda Rec Center (CD 6)
  9. Alpine Rec Center (CD 1)
  10. Granada Hills Rec Center (CD 12)

Phase 3 Engagement Meetings and Pop Ups

  1. Bellevue Rec Center (CD 8)
  2. Westwood Rec Center (CD 5)
  3. Hispanic Heritage Month Movie, Felicia Mahood
  4. Fiesta Party, North Hollywood RC
  5. Park Pop Up, Loren Miller RC
  6. CicLAvia South Central
  7. CicLAvia Heart of LA

Pop-Ups and Youth Events: Phase 1

  1. Tarzana Earth Day
  2. CicLAvia
  3. SEACA Youth Workshop
  4. LA Maker Faire (Youth Outreach) and LASAN Earth Day (Pop Up)

Pop-Ups and Youth Events: Phase 1

  1. National Night Out / Sun Valley
  2. Salute to Recreation
  3. Lotus Festival
  4. Lincoln Heights RC
  5. Walkshop: Fern Dell
  6. Walkshop: Venice Beach
  7. Walkshop: Debs Park
Engagement Map
City Boundary and Parks: City of LA Data Portal, 2025. Roads: US Census Bureau, 2025., LA

ENGAGEMENT BY THE NUMBERS

4600
Online Survey Responses
A community meeting is taking place indoors, in what appears to be a gymnasium. A woman stands in front of a projection screen and a large banner that reads, "WELCOME TO VICTORY VINELAND RECREATION CENTER." She is giving a presentation to a large audience seated in rows of folding chairs. Informational posters are also visible on easels on both sides of the room.
450
Community Meeting Attendees
1000
Statistically Valid Survey Responses
A group of people, primarily women, are seated around a wooden table during a community workshop. They're actively collaborating on a large park design map, placing small pictures and icons onto the drawing. One woman in a bright blue jacket is reaching to place an item on the map.
11
Pop-Ups Around the City
10
Council District Briefings
A group of people is gathered in a modern meeting room, standing and interacting with three large poster boards displayed on easels. The people are talking to one another while looking at the posters, which contain text and graphics, suggesting an engagement meeting.
17
Interest Group Meetings
A man, seen from behind, is leading an engagement meeting with a group of people at a long conference table.
12
Community Partner Organizations
A woman leads an informal workshop for a group of young people seated in a circle on a striped blanket in a grassy park. A playground and a street are visible in the background.
3
Youth Workshops & Events

THROUGHOUT ALL THREE PHASES OF ENGAGEMENT OVER 72 IN-PERSON EVENTS WERE HELD. ADDITIONALLY THOUSANDS OF ANGELENOS ENGAGED ONLINE!

Children participating at a sensory engagement board during LASAN Earth Day, drawing pictures of what they love most about parks under a tented booth setup
A sensory engagement board at youth events and pop-ups, like pictured here at LASAN Earth Day, encouraged participants to draw what they love most about parks.
The Robert Group, 2025.
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