{"id":65637,"date":"2024-06-26T08:30:11","date_gmt":"2024-06-26T15:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=65637"},"modified":"2024-06-26T08:30:11","modified_gmt":"2024-06-26T15:30:11","slug":"the-county-of-los-angeles-department-of-parks-and-recreation-presents-outdoor-childrens-bill-of-rights-to-celebrate-80th-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=65637","title":{"rendered":"The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation Presents Outdoor Children\u2019s Bill of Rights to Celebrate 80th Anniversary"},"content":{"rendered":"

LA County celebrates milestone with\u00a0<\/em>f<\/em>ree children\u2019s outdoor programming for the entire month of Ju<\/em>l<\/em>y<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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LOS ANGELES, CA (June 25, 2024) \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (LA County Parks), with the support of the County of Los Angeles Board Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath, Third District, and Hilda L. Solis, First District, adopted today the Outdoor Children\u2019s Bill of Rights to celebrate 80 years of connecting Los Angeles County residents to parks and nature for public health, healthy child development, and adult well-being. To commemorate this major milestone, LA County Parks is launching the \u201cLet\u2019s Play Outside\u201d campaign, offering free programming to all kids during the month of July.<\/p>\n

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LA County Parks was founded on July 1, 1944, following a decision from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to merge the Department of Parks and the Department of Recreation, Camps and Playgrounds. Today, LA County Parks manages over 183 park facilities, 16 wildlife and wildflower sanctuaries that include 20 golf courses, 41 public swimming pools, 25 equestrian amenities, 14 bodies of water (including 3 recreational and boating lakes) and 9 nature centers. In addition, it has over 240 miles of multi-use trails, 475 sport facilities and two iconic concert facilities: The Hollywood Bowl and John Anson Ford Theater.<\/p>\n

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The Outdoor Children\u2019s Bill of Rights and the \u201cLet\u2019s Play Outside\u201d campaign commits to providing all children, regardless of race, income, gender identity, ability, geographic location, or type of home, with 10 essential experiences to celebrate childhood. These include: 1. Play Outdoors, 2. Explore Nature, 3. Splash in a Pool, 4. Go Fishing, 5. Follow a Trail, 6. Camp Under the Stars, 7. Ride a Bike, 8. Go Boating in a Lake, 9. Connect with Wildlife, and 10. Plant a Seed. LA County Parks will offer a range of activities, including bike classes, seed planting, sports, boating, guided trails, fishing, and many more!<\/p>\n

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\u201cConnecting our community to nature and parks has been our core mission since our founding 80 years ago, and our world-class facilities and programming would not be possible without the support of our dedicated staff,\u201d said Norma E. Garc\u00eda-Gonz\u00e1lez, Director of LA County Parks. \u201cThe Department has played a significant role in Los Angeles County\u2019s history, from having the first racially integrated golf course to preserving ecological and culturally significant sites. Today, we continue the mission of providing park access and resources for all through our \u2018Let\u2019s Play Outside\u2019 campaign, which will provide children across LA County with free programming in July.\u201d<\/p>\n

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“We are thrilled to celebrate 80 years of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation by launching the Outdoor Children\u2019s Bill of Rights and the ‘Let\u2019s Play Outside’ campaign,” said Los Angeles County Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath, Third District. “Outdoor spaces are vital for the well-being of young people and all our communities. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, can experience the joy and benefits of nature and our parks. Let\u2019s make this July a month of adventure, learning, and fun for our young people across LA County.”<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis Outdoor Children\u2019s Bill of Rights is so fitting and timely because we know all children \u2013 particularly children who live in areas where they are exposed to high levels of indoor and outdoor pollution \u2013 still don\u2019t have equal access to clean air and green spaces where they can stretch their minds and bodies,\u201d said Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, who represents the First District. \u201cThe \u2018Let\u2019s Play Outside\u2019 campaign will go a long way to ensure every child has a place where they can swim and hike or just explore \u2013 regardless of their zip code \u2013 and help create a new generation empowered with healthier minds and bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt is inspiring to see the impact of 80 years of the LA County Parks & Recreation Department\u2019s dedicated service. With the adoption of the Outdoor Children\u2019s Bill of Rights and the launch of the \u2018Let\u2019s Play Outside\u2019 campaign, we are reaffirming our commitment to providing every resident with outdoor experiences that promote healthy habits and foster community connections for generations to come,\u201d\u00a0shared Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who represents the Second District.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cThese efforts are especially vital for communities of color where access to green spaces is disproportionately limited and as we plan for the next 80 years of expanding access to the life-changing benefits that our parks provide and that all young people deserve and need.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cFor 80 years, LA County\u2019s Department of Parks and Recreation has not only preserved beautiful open space, but created opportunities for kids to play, for families to spend quality time, and for communities to come together,\u201d said Los Angeles County Board Supervisor, Janice Hahn, Fourth District. \u201cThere are few things more precious to our neighborhoods than our parks, and we should continue to create more.\u00a0Just last year, we transformed an abandoned lot in one of the densest communities in my district into a pocket park that residents of all ages are enjoying.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cFor 80 years, our Los Angeles County parks have offered safe, beautiful spaces for children and their families to make joyful and lasting memories together,\u201d said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Fifth District. \u201cWhether you\u2019re playing sports, splashing in the pool, watching an outdoor movie, or learning a new skill in a class, there is summer fun for people of all ages and interests at our County parks. I encourage residents to celebrate Parks and Recreation\u2019s 80th<\/sup>\u00a0birthday by enjoying and exploring all the great things they have to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n

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In efforts to expand program offerings, LA County Parks is proud to partner with Rancho Los Amigos and Special Olympics to offer its Adaptive Sports programming for free at select park locations. Attendees can also register for free Ride A Bike classes hosted by partners from Bike LA, Active SGV, and Eastside Riders at select park locations across the county.<\/p>\n

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Additionally, for the 80th anniversary, LA County Parks has curated a collection of historic photos of many park playgrounds throughout the years available to view at\u00a0Yesterday\u2019s Playgrounds (arcgis.com)<\/a>. This virtual exhibit features 55 images of historic playgrounds, architectural plans, and playground advertisements that span 53 years of program design. Images date back from 1937 to 1980 with the majority of photos from 1950\u2019s to 1960\u2019s which marked a period of rapid growth for both LA County Parks and Los Angeles County.<\/p>\n

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For more information on the Let\u2019s Play Outside campaign and for a full list of the schedule, please visit\u00a0www.parks.lacounty.gov\/lets-play-outside<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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