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 elevated the voices of communities that have been traditionally excluded from planning and design conversations. Over 100,000 Angelenos participated in the development of the PNA through direct engagement events and online outreach throughout the project.

Engagement for the PNA sought to meet people where they are, focusing on events and popups at community events across the City, providing venues for in-person open houses and worksessions, hosting virtual meetings and events, and 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. Despite a political climate in summer 2025 that made some residents uncomfortable attending in-person meetings, the PNA Consultant Team and community partners were able to reach these communities through virtual and hybrid workshops, meetings, and equity-focused sessions. These challenges during the PNA further demonstrated that oftentimes the most marginalized communities need parks the most.

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Meetings and Outreach
What We Heard
Public Draft PNA
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.

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 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 the Draft PNA document.

Phase III: Sharing Analysis and Results

September–November 2025

The goal of Phase III engagement was to get feedback on the Draft PNA. Public comments were received via email, the PNA website, PDF mark-up, and online and virtual events. Community comments were key in finalizing the PNA. During the PNA development process, the political climate made some residents uncomfortable attending in-person meetings. This included some individuals from communities in the LA region most lacking in park resources who engaged with PNA Community Partner Organizations in their communities. This underscored the importance of virtual engagement meetings with the public and virtual equity sessions with advocacy groups.

The PNA project timeline included three phases and many different types of outreach.
OLIN, 2025

Engagement Across the City

Community feedback from across LA was foundational to the Park Needs Assessment. Residents stopped by information tables at community events, attended community workshops and equity sessions, and shared thoughts at park community open house meetings.

In addition, thousands of community members participated digitally in virtual meetings and by taking online surveys.

Phase 1 Community Open Houses

  1. Ramona Hall
  2. Wilmington Rec Center
  3. Algin Sutton Rec Center
  4. Victory Vineland Rec Center
  5. Tarzana Rec Center
  6. Westchester Rec Center
  7. Lincoln Park Senior Center

Pop-Ups, Interest Groups, Youth Events: Phase 1

  1. Tarzana Earth Day
  2. CicLAvia: Koreatown
  3. SEACA Youth Workshop
  4. LA Maker Faire
  5. LASAN Earth Day
  6. Foundations & Funders Round Table

Phase 3 Community Open Houses and Pop-Ups

  1. Bellevue Rec Center
  2. Westwood Rec Center
  3. Hispanic Heritage Month Movie, Felicia Mahood
  4. Fiesta Party, North Hollywood RC
  5. ShineLA, North Hollywood RC
  6. Park Pop Up Rancho Cienega
  7. LA Congress of Neighborhoods
  8. CicLAvia South Central

Phase 2 Community Open Houses

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

Pop-Ups, Youth Events, Walkshops: Phase 2

  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
  8. LANI Forum
  9. 7th Annual Beautification Conference
  10. Golf Advisory Committee
  11. Equine Advisory Committee
  12. CicLAvia Culver Meets Venice*
  13. CicLAmini Pico/Union*

*Indicates CicLAvia event staffed by a CPP

Map showing locations of community engagement meetings and pop-up events across Los Angeles during Phases 1–3.
This map shows the location of the in-person engagement events held across the City this year for the PNA.
City Boundary and Parks: City of LA Data Portal, 2025. Roads: US Census Bureau, 2025., LA River: National Hydrography Database, 2025.

ENGAGEMENT BY THE NUMBERS

This screenshot is from the City of Los Angeles Park Needs Assessment website. The image features a banner with a photo of smiling children and the text "Help shape the future of parks and recreation in Los Angeles! Stay tuned for upcoming meetings and surveys."
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.
1200+
Attendees across Engagement Meetings
A horizontal bar chart presents the results of an in-person engagement survey of 5,330 people, ranking the barriers that prevent people from visiting parks more often. The chart's title is "PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS A MAJOR BARRIER TO VISITING MORE OFTEN." The top three barriers are homelessness (48%), parks being "Too far from our residence" (37%), and a lack of information (36%). The least cited barriers are "Not accessible to people with disabilities" (4%) and "Overpoliced" (3%).
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.
25+
Pop-Ups Around the City
Map of Los Angeles divided into four regions (Valley, West, Central/East, South) and fifteen numbered council districts.
12
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.
100+
Community Partner Events
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 and 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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