Major Initiatives
The Los Angeles Parks Foundation works everyday to make our city’s parks more vibrant, welcoming, and accessible for all Angelenos. From new green spaces in underserved neighborhoods to community driven improvements in beloved parks, our initiatives create opportunities for everyone to connect with nature, play, and thrive.
Community School Parks
The Community School Parks (CSP) Initiative is a transformative program that repurposes Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schoolyards into vibrant public parks during non-school hours. These spaces provide much-needed green areas for recreation, play, and community engagement in neighborhoods with limited access to parks.
A partnership between the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) and LAUSD, the CSP program currently operates 10 locations where elementary and middle schools are repurposed as open spaces when school is not in session. The location and availability of hundreds of these schools make this partnership essential and the primary solution to providing equitable park access and students with active and passive recreation opportunities.
The Community School Parks Initiative is a collaborative effort between LAUSD, RAP, the Los Angeles Parks Foundation, Trust for Public Land, and more. In 2023, the Anthony Pritzker Family Foundation provided a generous gift to the Los Angeles Parks Foundation, in addition to contributions from several Los Angeles Parks Foundation Board members, to reach our goal of transforming open schoolyards into accessible recreational playgrounds during non-school hours in 2024. Together, with the approval of the JPA and continued philanthropic support, the program is positioned for significant growth and lasting impact.
For more information on the Community School Parks initiative, you can visit: LA Parks Community School Parks.
Venice Beach Paddle Tennis Court Resurfacing
Paddle tennis was invented right here at Venice Beach in 1961—and for over six decades, these iconic courts have been the beating heart of the sport. From local legends and lifelong players to curious visitors picking up a paddle for the first time, generations have come together on these courts to play, connect, and celebrate the vibrant spirit of Venice.
Today, these beloved courts are in need of restoration. Cracked surfaces, faded lines, and aging infrastructure threaten the playability and safety of this historic community landmark. With your help, we can bring them back to life.
Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round Revitalization
Help bring a true Los Angeles landmark back to life! Built in 1926 and relocated to Griffith Park in 1937, the historic Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round has delighted generations with its 68 hand-carved horses, ornate chariots, and the timeless music of its Stinson Band Organ. Walt Disney was inspired to imagine Disneyland while watching his daughters ride this very carousel.
After closing in 2022 for much-needed repairs, the City of Los Angeles secured its future by purchasing the carousel for $1 million. Now, the next step is to restore it to full working order.
The Los Angeles Parks Foundation is partnering with the Department of Recreation and Parks to raise $2 million for this restoration—including the conservation of each horse and chariot and the refurbishment of the century-old band organ.
With your support, we can bring this beloved piece of LA history back to motion, filling Griffith Park once again with music, laughter, and light. Help us bring this landmark back to life!
Commonwealth Native Plant Nursery
The Los Angeles Parks Foundation manages the Commonwealth Native Nursery to help regreen Los Angeles city parks by growing and introducing plants native hyperlocal to Griffith Park and the Los Angeles Area. These plants are drought-tolerant, resilient, and provide essential habitat for local wildlife, including bees, butterflies, and birds.
By planting native species across parks, schoolyards, and community gardens, the nursery transforms ordinary spaces into thriving, sustainable ecosystems. These projects also give visitors a chance to learn about native plants and the importance of protecting local biodiversity.
Through these efforts, Los Angeles’ parks become more beautiful, ecologically resilient, and welcoming for both people and wildlife, creating lasting green spaces that benefit the entire community.
LA City United Football Club: Building Community Through the Beautiful Game
Soccer is more than a sport—it’s a language that connects Angelenos across neighborhoods, cultures, and generations. The LA City United Football Club is a citywide youth soccer initiative powered by the Los Angeles Parks Foundation in partnership with the Department of Recreation and Parks and Angel City Football Club.
Together, we’re creating opportunities for girls and gender-expansive youth, ages 5–17, to play, grow, and lead—on and off the field. Through affordable access, mentorship, and community engagement, LA City United is uniting players from all corners of Los Angeles to build confidence, teamwork, and lifelong friendships. Your donation helps provide uniforms, equipment, and field improvements that make soccer accessible to every child who wants to play.
Community School Parks
The Community School Parks (CSP) Initiative is a transformative program that repurposes Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schoolyards into vibrant public parks during non-school hours. These spaces provide much-needed green areas for recreation, play, and community engagement in neighborhoods with limited access to parks.
A partnership between the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) and LAUSD, the CSP program currently operates 10 locations where elementary and middle schools are repurposed as open spaces when school is not in session. The location and availability of hundreds of these schools make this partnership essential and the primary solution to providing equitable park access and students with active and passive recreation opportunities.
The Community School Parks Initiative is a collaborative effort between LAUSD, RAP, the Los Angeles Parks Foundation, Trust for Public Land, and more. In 2023, the Anthony Pritzker Family Foundation provided a generous gift to the Los Angeles Parks Foundation, in addition to contributions from several Los Angeles Parks Foundation Board members, to reach our goal of transforming open schoolyards into accessible recreational playgrounds during non-school hours in 2024. Together, with the approval of the JPA and continued philanthropic support, the program is positioned for significant growth and lasting impact.
For more information on the Community School Parks initiative, you can visit: LA Parks Community School Parks.
Venice Beach Paddle Tennis Court Resurfacing
Paddle tennis was invented right here at Venice Beach in 1961—and for over six decades, these iconic courts have been the beating heart of the sport. From local legends and lifelong players to curious visitors picking up a paddle for the first time, generations have come together on these courts to play, connect, and celebrate the vibrant spirit of Venice.
Today, these beloved courts are in need of restoration. Cracked surfaces, faded lines, and aging infrastructure threaten the playability and safety of this historic community landmark. With your help, we can bring them back to life.
Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round Revitalization
Help bring a true Los Angeles landmark back to life! Built in 1926 and relocated to Griffith Park in 1937, the historic Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round has delighted generations with its 68 hand-carved horses, ornate chariots, and the timeless music of its Stinson Band Organ. Walt Disney was inspired to imagine Disneyland while watching his daughters ride this very carousel.
After closing in 2022 for much-needed repairs, the City of Los Angeles secured its future by purchasing the carousel for $1 million. Now, the next step is to restore it to full working order.
The Los Angeles Parks Foundation is partnering with the Department of Recreation and Parks to raise $2 million for this restoration—including the conservation of each horse and chariot and the refurbishment of the century-old band organ.
With your support, we can bring this beloved piece of LA history back to motion, filling Griffith Park once again with music, laughter, and light. Help us bring this landmark back to life!
Commonwealth Native Plant Nursery
The Los Angeles Parks Foundation manages the Commonwealth Native Nursery to help regreen Los Angeles city parks by growing and introducing plants native hyperlocal to Griffith Park and the Los Angeles Area. These plants are drought-tolerant, resilient, and provide essential habitat for local wildlife, including bees, butterflies, and birds.
By planting native species across parks, schoolyards, and community gardens, the nursery transforms ordinary spaces into thriving, sustainable ecosystems. These projects also give visitors a chance to learn about native plants and the importance of protecting local biodiversity.
Through these efforts, Los Angeles’ parks become more beautiful, ecologically resilient, and welcoming for both people and wildlife, creating lasting green spaces that benefit the entire community.
LA City United Football Club: Building Community Through the Beautiful Game
Soccer is more than a sport—it’s a language that connects Angelenos across neighborhoods, cultures, and generations. The LA City United Football Club is a citywide youth soccer initiative powered by the Los Angeles Parks Foundation in partnership with the Department of Recreation and Parks and Angel City Football Club.
Together, we’re creating opportunities for girls and gender-expansive youth, ages 5–17, to play, grow, and lead—on and off the field. Through affordable access, mentorship, and community engagement, LA City United is uniting players from all corners of Los Angeles to build confidence, teamwork, and lifelong friendships. Your donation helps provide uniforms, equipment, and field improvements that make soccer accessible to every child who wants to play.