From small parks tucked into neighborhood blocks to expansive open spaces, each type of park plays a distinct role in serving the diverse needs of Los Angeles’ residents and communities. As the city grows and evolves, understanding the purpose and function of each type of park becomes increasingly important to ensure equitable access, appropriate amenities, and efficient management. The new park classification system in the PNA seeks to clarify how existing parks function and provides guidelines about future park and recreation facility typologies that may be necessary to meet the needs of current and future residents.
Proposed Classifications
The new park and recreation facility classification system in this PNA expands the existing classification system. They clarify how existing parks and recreation facilities function and provide guidelines about future park and recreation facility typologies that Los Angeles expects to build in the future to meet the needs of current and future residents.
For each park and recreation facility classification, the PNA includes a general description of the classification’s:
- typical size range;
- typical length of visit;
- access provisions;
- list of appropriate amenities;
- applicable site planning guidelines.
The list of amenities is not meant to be prescriptive or exhaustive. The appropriate amenities for any individual park or recreation facility should be determined through a planning process that involves the community it is meant to serve. All parks and recreation facilities should be designed to serve all age segments and a diversity of users.