LA COUNTY PARKS OFFERS NEW COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM AS PART OF FEE UPDATES

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved annual fee updates for the Department of Parks and Recreation (LA County Parks). As part of the 2021 fee updates, LA County Parks announced no rental fees and reduced facility use fees for committed community organizations, as a Core Program Partner or as a Community Program Partner, depending on the program or service provided. LA County Parks looks forward to welcoming back the public once the public health orders are lifted. The new 2021 fees are effective March 1, 2021, with rentals contingent on COVID-19 restrictions.

LA County Parks will forge collaborative partnerships with non-profits, local nature conservancy and similar environmental organizations, youth sports, science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, and culture programming focused organizations, community service and other similar mission-driven organizations. The partnership program expands park programming, provides benefits to the public and increases access to park facilities through community organizations.

The application process for Core Program Partner and Community Program Partner agreements is slated to open in April 2021. Interested organizations are encouraged to sign up for LA County Parks emails for future announcements. Use of facilities by program partners could begin as early as June 2021, contingent on COVID-19 public health orders and restrictions.

“We are excited to announce new opportunities for community-based organizations and recreation providers to partner with LA County Parks,” said Norma Edith García-González, Director of LA County Parks and Recreation. “Together, we can ensure access to robust, affordable recreational programming at parks throughout Los Angeles County, especially within the most vulnerable communities. Parks remain an essential hub for community and youth engagement, as shown by the critical need to give households outdoor space for exercise and respite during the isolation and stress of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

LA County Parks completed a comprehensive review and analysis of fees charged by neighboring municipalities and by similar agencies that support an equitable distribution of staffing and resources. The adjusted fees sustain essential programs and facilities for equitable access to services across Los Angeles County. Fees reflect the median regional industry standard in order to allow LA County Parks to meet demand by supporting adequate operation and maintenance of facilities while enabling the realignment of resources to serve vulnerable areas equally.

“Youth across Los Angeles County deserve to find the same level of essential services and quality programming at their local park,” said García-González. “The comprehensive annual fee review and update process allow LA County Parks to ensure access to parks and recreational programming throughout the county while incorporating a cost-effective strategy.”

In the 2021 fee update, LA County Parks also added a reduced vehicle entrance fee for senior citizens (65+) and disabled persons with a placard. Vehicle entrance fees are critical to the operation, maintenance and improvements of structures, amenities and natural landscapes at regional parks and lakes. While some park sand lakes charge entrance fees daily, other locations limit their fees to weekends and holidays only.

Each year, LA County Parks is mandated to review and revise facility rental fees, admission and entrance fees per County Fiscal Policy. The annual fee updates establish consistent and quality programs to the public across the county while identifying areas where new fees or adjustments may be appropriate.

The breakdown of the 2021 proposed new and revised fees include facility use fees, special events, site and amenity rentals, and vehicle entry at limited locations, as outlined in the Board Letter available by clicking here.