Community Parks Coalition Announces New Citizens Initiative to Fund Parks Across the City of Los Angeles

In response to a growing crisis around parks, a coalition of community and parks leaders filed legal paperwork with the Los Angeles City Clerk seeking approval to circulate a citizen initiative to place a funding measure before voters in Los Angeles in November 2026.

If approved by LA City voters, the measure would generate an estimated $320 million annually to restore and replenish LA’s park system, which currently requires $14 plus billion dollars to address deferred maintenance, has suffered a 25% reduction of its full-time staff and 10% loss of its part-time staff between 2008 and 2025 and bring our city to the level of others.

In addition, this measure would provide much needed funding to strengthen climate and wildfire resilience, continue needed programming for youth, seniors and families and create more equitable access to green space across Los Angeles. This matter is urgent as the City’s Department of Recreation and Parks faces a funding cliff.

Los Angeles currently ranks 90th among the nation’s 100 largest cities in the Trust for Public Land’s annual ParkScore® index, reflecting decades of declining investment, limited access, and deep inequities. More than 1.5 million Angelenos—one in three residents—lack a park within a 10-minute walk of home, among the lowest access rates in major U.S. cities. The measure also addresses looming financial gaps, including the expiration of Proposition K, which currently provides $25 million per year for Los Angeles parks.

Statements from Coalition Leadership:

“Los Angeles is at a defining crossroads. While millions of residents rely on parks for recreation, climate relief, public health, and community connection, funding for these critical public spaces has failed to keep pace with the region’s urgent needs. This is a solvable problem—and this initiative is our chance to solve it,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, Pacific Region Vice President and California State Director for Trust for Public Land. “Los Angeles can and should be one of the great park cities of the world. But that requires dedicated funding, equitable investment in communities long left out, and the political will to build a park system worthy of its people. Today, we begin that work together.”

“Los Angeles parks are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods, but today that heartbeat is under real strain. The City of Los Angeles operates nearly 500 parks that need and deserve strong, consistent investment to stay safe, open, and full of affordable sports and cultural programs. Yet for too many years, our parks have been asked to do more with less, grappling with aging infrastructure, staffing shortages, rising climate impacts, and growing demand. This citizen initiative and ballot measure is a critical step toward creating an ample, reliable source of funding to stabilize and strengthen our parks, so they can continue to make Los Angeles a safer, healthier, and more connected community for every Angeleno now and for generations to come,” said Amber Martinez, Executive Director of Los Angeles Parks Foundation.

“Los Angeles can and should be one of the great park cities of the world. Achieving that vision requires more than hope—it demands dedicated funding, equitable investment in communities long left behind, and the political will to act boldly. Today, we take the first step toward building a park system worthy of every Angeleno—a system that strengthens climate resilience, expands access, and reflects the values of this city,” said Arturo Garcia, Associate Director of Local Government Relations, The Nature Conservancy.

“For too long, park-poor communities like South LA and the East San Fernando Valley have borne the brunt of decades of disinvestment. This initiative is our opportunity to correct these historic inequities and ensure every Angeleno has access to parks that are essential for health, climate resilience, and community well-being,” said Tori Kjer, Executive Director, LA Neighborhood Land Trust.

“Parks are not a luxury, they are essential infrastructure. They give our children safe places to play and learn, our families space to gather and stay healthy, and our seniors’ opportunities to stay active and connected. This investment will protect and improve our parks, strengthen our neighborhoods, and ensure every community has access to clean, safe, and welcoming green spaces,” said Alfredo Gonzalez, California Director, Resources Legacy Fund.

The consequences of underinvestment in Los Angeles parks are stark. In communities like Pacoima and South L.A., where industrial use, extreme heat, and limited access to green space intersect, residents have up to 78% less park acreage per capita than wealthier parts of the city.

As the city grows, its parks system has struggled to keep up. While demand for park programs and amenities has increased, staffing and investment have not. The City of Los Angeles spends just $92 per person on parks annually, well below peer cities and far behind national growth trends. Parks are also frontline infrastructure for a changing climate. Green spaces cool neighborhoods, absorb stormwater, improve air quality, and provide local outdoor refuge during extreme heat. The initiative would fund upgrades and expansions specifically where climate vulnerability is highest.

The Recreation and Parks Department’s (RAP) budget has not kept pace with inflation over the past 25 years–meaning that the current budget is not able to cover basic park needs.

A poll commissioned by park advocates indicates that LA voters are ready to support this initiative, with over eight in ten voters recognized the need for additional park funding and six in ten voters support a sales tax increase before hearing positive arguments. A clear and significant increase from previous years, demonstrating broad support for action.

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About Trust for Public Land:

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,504 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 109.7 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.

About LA Neighborhood Land Trust:

LA Neighborhood Land Trust works to create parks and gardens in historically under-resourced communities throughout Los Angeles County, addressing the critical lack of green spaces. Since its founding, the organization has developed and maintains community-driven parks and gardens that provide safe outdoor spaces, urban cooling, and environmental benefits in areas of Los Angeles County with the greatest need. The Land Trust partners directly with communities to transform vacant lots and underutilized spaces into vibrant assets that promote health, equity, and environmental justice. Since 2002 the organization has created 30 parks and gardens, creating access to new opens spaces for over 500,000 Angelenos.

About The Los Angeles Parks Foundation:

The Los Angeles Parks Foundation was founded in 2008 to provide critical private funding to preserve, protect, and enhance nearly 500 parks and open spaces throughout the City of Los Angeles. Through philanthropic partnerships, the nonprofit foundation has raised more than $50 million to support major capital projects, environmental initiatives, and programming that enrich the lives of Angelenos. For further information or to donate, please visit: Los Angeles Parks Foundation

The Nature Conservancy:

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, The
Nature Conservancy (TNC) has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and over 1,000 scientists, we impact conservation in 83 countries and territories: 39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners.

Resources Legacy Fund
Resources Legacy Fund (RLF) is an environmental nonprofit delivering transformative outcomes for our planet and its people through trusted partnerships and creative campaigns. For 25 years, RLF has been a behind-the-scenes architect of environmental progress, turning visionary ideas into action through strategic collaboration and operational excellence. Rooted in California and with initiatives across Western North America and beyond, we build and support programs at every scale — from local community efforts to national policy campaigns.