Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León introduced a motion Tuesday to develop a plan to upgrade Department of Recreation and Parks' playgrounds citywide.
If passed, the motion -- which was seconded by Council President Nury Martinez -- would have the department report within 30 days on the condition of all playgrounds around the city, including the year the playground was installed, whether it has resilient surfacing and shade and if the playground has already secured repair or replacement funding.
"Despite the public's desire for high quality recreational space, city parks have not seen regular investment needed in order to keep them in good condition," the motion states. "The city's playgrounds are emblematic of this state of disrepair. Many playgrounds still have sand play pits, inadequate shade and no equipment for people with disabilities."
The City Administrative Officer would also collaborate with Recreation and Parks on a report with the funding needed to ensure every playground is modernized and provided with resilient surfacing and shade. That report would also include recommendations for a multi-year capital program to upgrade all playgrounds that are identified as deficient.
The motion states that the city's current "piecemeal approach" allows only a few playground replacement projects per year, with the city waiting for funding through Quimby fees from developers or Measure A -- a parcel tax which voters approved in November 2016 -- in order to improve them.