Push to Update L.A. Parks Funding Builds Ahead of Charter Vote
A coalition of more than 80 community organizations across Los Angeles is calling on city leaders to update a decades-old parks funding formula, saying long-term underinvestment has limited access to green space for millions of residents.
The proposal centers on a charter reform that would increase the baseline funding for the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks, without creating a new tax. Backers say the current formula, dating back to 1937, no longer reflects the city’s growth or current demands.
The issue comes as the Los Angeles City Council weighs which measures will go before voters on November 3, 2026. A key decision is expected in early June, following an April 30 Rules Committee meeting that drew public comment from residents and advocacy groups supporting the change.
Supporters highlight disparities in park access across the city. More than 1.5 million Angelenos, about one in three residents, are not within a 10-minute walk of a park, according to advocates. The gaps are more pronounced in lower-income neighborhoods, where park space per resident is significantly lower.
“In neighborhoods like Pacoima and South Los Angeles, residents have up to 78 percent less park space per person than those in wealthier areas, limiting access to green space, shade, and safe places to gather. This impacts mental and physical health,” said Rob Baird, Land Use and Built Environment Specialist at the Prevention Institute.
Los Angeles has also slipped in national rankings, falling from 49th to 90th place in the Trust for Public Land ParkScore index over the past five years.
Advocates say more consistent funding could support staffing, expand youth programming, improve safety, and address maintenance needs. The city’s Parks Needs Assessment estimates nearly $14.8 billion in capital needs, including a significant backlog of deferred maintenance.
The proposed change would raise the charter-required allocation from 0.0325% to 0.065%, phased in over four years. Supporters point to a similar adjustment for the city’s library system in 2011 as a model.
“The Recreation and Parks Department continues to get asked to do more and more with less and less. That’s just not realistic. It’s not sustainable, and it’s just not fair to Angelenos,” said Val Marquez, founder of Concerned Residents of El Serreno.
Advocates also frame parks as essential infrastructure, particularly as the city faces rising temperatures. They point to benefits including cooling, improved air quality, and access to safe public spaces.
Supporters say decisions in the coming weeks will have long-term implications for parks and public space across Los Angeles.
