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Presentation of: Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks Citywide Community Needs Assessment: Findings and Recom

February 5, 2009 (revised) Presentation of: Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks Citywide Community Needs Assessment: Findings and Recommendations Project Purpose, Process and Key Tasks Project Purpose Determine Community Needs and Department Key Issues

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Presentation of: Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks Citywide Community Needs Assessment: Findings and Recom

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  1. February 5, 2009 (revised) Presentation of:Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks Citywide Community Needs Assessment:Findings and Recommendations

  2. Project Purpose, Process and Key Tasks • Project Purpose • Determine Community Needs and Department Key Issues • Develop Priorities, Opportunities, Recommendations and Strategies • Process/Key Tasks • Comparative review of relevant studies, (e.g., Dallas Renaissance Plan) • Community Input Process (23 Citywide Workshops, Youth Conference & Break Out Groups, 24 Focus Group meetings, 10 Park Tours, Mailed Survey) • Demographics / Trends Analysis • Park, Facility and Program Assessments • Priority Rankings and Service Area Analysis

  3. Findings/Issues • 70% of Households Used Parks in the Past Year • 30%: Don’t Know What Programs are Being Offered. • 20%: Security is Issue • Available Parkland is Low for Population • Inequitable Distribution of Parks. System is not “Balanced” • City will grow, increase in density and diversity. Park/Rec areas must be renewed, rebuilt, and redesigned to meet needs. 30% of the population is under 18. Growth of young adult and mature adult populations. • Need increased funding to provide for needs, “Livable City” • Parks may be Underutilized during the Day, Overused on Weekends/After School • Opportunity for new Programs, Build/Redesign Facilities • 53% Travel 3+ Miles to a Community Park

  4. Actions to Improve System • Highest levels of support/most willing to fund: • Fix-Up/Rebuild:existing neighborhood & community parks, existing park buildings/recreation centers, existing athletic fields, existing swimming pools. • Purchase Landfor smaller neighborhood parks.

  5. HIGHER PRIORITIES: Walking, Biking and Nature Trails, Picnic Areas, Smaller Local Neighborhood Parks, Indoor Gyms/Community Centers (with Indoor Walking Tracks, Indoor Fitness/Exercise Facilities, Indoor Pools), Outdoor Pools, Larger Community Parks, Children’s Play Areas, Community Gardens, Nature Centers, Athletic Fields, Basketball Courts. Facility Priorities

  6. HIGHER PRIORITIES: Fitness & Wellness Programs, Walking and Biking Clubs, Nature Programs, Family Programs, Arts Programs, Youth and Adult Sports and Swim Programs, Water Fitness Programs, Senior Programs, Youth After School Programs/Summer Camp Programs, and Special Events and Festivals. In some areas, Nutrition, Tutoring, and Mentoring Programs. Recreation Program Priorities

  7. Example: Local Area Needs: Harbor Area • Harbor Area: Facility Needs 1. Walking/Biking Trails 2. Smaller Neighborhood Parks 3. Nature Trails 4. Swimming Pools 5. Picnic Areas 6. Indoor Fitness Facilities 7. Larger Community Parks 8. Outdoor Amphitheatre (Drama, the Arts) 9. Indoor Walking/Running Tracks 10. Community Gardens 11. Playground Equipment 12. Nature Centers 13. Outdoor Splash Pads 14. Skate Parks 15. Outdoor Tennis & Basketball Courts 16. Youth Baseball & Athletic Fields 17. Adult Softball & Athletic Fields • Harbor Area: Recreation/Other Community Needs More Security & Safety More Lighting Better Maintenance Teen Club Spaces Shuttle for Parks (Better Transit Access) Cultural Programs Nutrition Bird Watching Flag Football Homework Help Weekend Programs More Sponsors, Corporate and other

  8. Example: Local Area Needs: Central Area • Central Area: Facility Needs • Walking, Biking Trails and Nature Trails • Smaller Neighborhood Parks • Indoor Fitness Equipment • Indoor Pools • Larger Community Parks • Indoor Gyms • Picnic Areas • Outdoor Pools • Indoor Walking/Running Tracks • Community Centers • Community Gardens • Playground Equipment • Outdoor Tennis Courts • Nature Centers • Outdoor Amphitheatre (Drama, the Arts) • Basketball Courts • Youth Athletic Fields • Central Area: Recreation/Other Community Needs More Recreation Equipment Arts Programs Food Concessions/Cafes Summer Camps Cooking Tutoring Garden Programs Youth Programs Exercise Classes Skate Parks More Renovations More Maintenance

  9. Facility / Amenity Guidelines NEED: Additional .5-1 acres of neighborhood parks in most areas NEED: Additional 1-1.5 acres of community parks in most areas NEED: Additional 20 pools, 43 splash pads, 235 picnic areas, 73 baseball fields, 319 athletic fields, 309 basketball courts, 43 skate parks, 20 tennis courts, and additional recreation/community centers.

  10. Recommendations • Renew/Customize Parks & Recreation Programs by Planning Area • 7 Areas: Harbor, South LA, West LA, East LA, Central, S. Valley, N. Valley • Maximize usage times. Provide desired recreation programs and facilities. • Fix-Up/Rebuild Existing Facilities. Develop New Neighborhood Parks • For Example: Redesign Underused Amenities with Community-Desired Amenities • Create Marketing/Awareness Campaign: Locations, Programs & Issues • Renew Community and Political Support • Develop Innovative Funding Strategies: Bonds, Grant Programs, Partnerships, Sponsors, Friends Groups, & Other Revenue Generating Strategies • Redesign Landscapes in Parks: Use Sustainability Principles, “walkability” concepts, etc. • Renew Maintenance Standards/Consistent in All Areas

  11. Funding and Partnering • Insufficient Funding: to provide the System that the Community wants • Need: Innovative Funding Strategies: Bond/Grants/Sponsors/Friends Groups • Over 70% might vote in favor of a bond • Over 50% would vote in favor of a bond • Develop Bond issues, Grant Programs, and other Funding Strategies • Partner with Agencies, Groups and Sponsors to Rebuild Park Areas and Renew Recreation Programs • Additional Strategy: Redesign Parks to Support Revenue Generation

  12. Los Angeles Can: • Re-Build • Re-New • Re-Design (its Recreation and Park System) • Necessary as the City grows, develops and changes • People want this, recognize its need and value, and are willing to pay for it • Opportunities: • Create programs and facilities where adults and kids can build community together. • Create Arts Programs, Health and Fitness Programs, Special Events and other Recreation Program Needs (as specified earlier and by community/planning area) • Create walking paths (#1 Priority) and other facility needs, by community/planning area • Define Core Programs and Services • Develop Innovative Funding Strategies and Sponsors • Develop a Vision and a Plan: Los Angeles CAN…develop a Strategic Plan to: Rebuild, Renew, and Redesign its park system to a Creative, Compelling and Responsive system of park facilities, recreation programs, and partners for all of Los Angeles’ needs. (The “Treasure/Excellence” Plan)

  13. Executive Summary: Sections of Interest • Page 7: Demographic Summary (30% of population is under 20). Sports trends. • Page 8: More sports trends & ethnic/cultural preferences for sports and activities • Pages 9-10: Findings: Park Tours – park entrances need work, information needs posting outside park, signage about park programs and facilities needs advertising. Parks need “updating”. • Page 13: GIS mapping & priorities—Population density is an issue. • As shown on maps need: more play areas, splash pads, sportsfields, picnic areas, basketball courts, skate parks, pools, rec & community centers , neighborhood & community parks are needed, especially in dense areas • Pages 23-24: Findings & Recommendations—safety, more equitable distribution, walking & walkability, communications plan to improve community awareness, info within & outside Dept., new funding strategy, innovative financing & partnerships. • Page 25: Recommendations: customize recreation programs, facilities & events by local planning areas using Needs Assessment priorities, remove features not well-used, re-design some park/areas, dev funding strategies & priorities.

  14. Final Report: Sections of Interest • Page 5-7: Innovative Dept. Programs • Pages 11 & 12: Specific issues by seven (7) planning areas • Pages 15 &16: Dept/system strengths • Pages 17 & 18: Youth Needs: Especially mentoring, cooking, arts, sports, intergenerational programs • Page 22: Travel time • Pages 23-27: Demographics: 30% under 20, increasing young adults & mature adults populations, Increasing mixed race, Hispanic, Asian. Stable African American/Black population. • Pages 27-33: Recreation & sports trends: walking, biking, fitness, jogging, swimming, art, drama, dance programs, youth & mature adult programs: boxing, yoga, computers. • Pages 33 & 34: Facilities: Trails, fields, better signage, kiosks with program info, fields, better appearance and maintenance. • Pages 36: Core Recreation programs • Page 37 & 38: Quality recreation Programming • Page 39-41: Specific Recreation Program Needs • Pages 42 & 43: Community Values: Objectives

  15. Appendix A: Overview/Interesting Sections Appendix A provides more detail on strengths, weaknesses, key issues and specific planning area needs. • Pages 2 & 3: Strengths & weaknesses of current system • Pages 4 & 5: Key Issues • Pages 6 & 7: Recreation Program & Facility Needs • Page 10& 11: Community values & mandates • Page 12 & 13: Partnership & sponsorship opportunities  • Pages 16-27: Specific Needs by Planning Area (there are seven (7) areas: Harbor, South Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, Central, West Los Angeles, South Valley, North Valley)

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