LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles City Council passed two motions today aimed at improving and expanding park space and furthering the goals outlined in Mayor Eric Garcetti's ``Achieving Park Equity'' executive directive.
The first motion was introduced by Councilman Joe Buscaino and directed the Department of Recreation and Parks to hire a consultant for the creation of a ballot measure to provide funding for park improvements identified in the executive directive and a 2018 Parks Condition Assessment Report. That report -- which assess more than 16,000 acres of parkland in 559 parks in Los Angeles -- found $2.1 billion worth of potential improvements, including landscaping, lighting, water conservation, irrigation updates and replacement of recreation centers, pools and bathhouse facilities.
Garcetti's directive, signed on Dec. 6, orders the development of an independent analysis into the city's parks and a plan to improve equitable access. The recommendations are being created by a group consisting of city department leadership, local park experts and community members.
``With the city hosting the 2028 Summer Olympics, and several Recreation & Parks facilities serving as venues for various competitions, we must act now to ensure all needed upgrades and repairs are completed prior to the games,'' Buscaino's motion states.
The second park-related motion scheduled to be considered by the City Council on Tuesday was introduced by Councilman John Lee and instructs the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to work with Recreation and Parks on a plan to identify and convert appropriate DWP property into ``passive recreation and open space.''
The motion notes that the DWP owns property to accommodate electrical lines, water conduits and other infrastructure, and some of this property could be used for open space.
Garcetti's executive directive mandates increased spending on efforts to build and restore parkland and improve park access in areas assessed as having the highest need. The directive also states that employment opportunities associated with the increased park access initiatives must prioritize youth, seniors and vulnerable residents through programs such as Hire LA's Youth and LA Rise.