Community Services - PSA

LA County Park & Open Space District releases $23 million in grants

Grants are for Youth and Veteran job training programs and better reactional access across Los Angeles County

Published

2 years ago

June 1, 2022

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve (Photo Credit: County of Los Angeles)

LOS ANGELES, CA – On Thursday, June 2, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) will be launching two Measure A competitive grant programs and release up to $23 million total in funding opportunities for cities, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, and other eligible entities.

The first cycle of Measure A competitive grant programs awarded $26 million in funding towards capital projects that promote, preserve, and protect parks and open space in February 2022, this second cycle of Measure A competitive grants will award up to $23 million in funding for the expansion and creation of new recreation programs.

This will be a first from RPOSD in almost 30 years of grantmaking. This launch has been highly anticipated due to a previous cancellation of the program forced by unprecedented restrictions introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.

The Youth and Veteran Job Training and Placement for the 2022 cycle consists of up to $10.9 million in Measure A grant funding available for education, skills training (career development), certification, and job placement programs in the field of parks and recreation for youth and veterans across Los Angeles County.
The Recreation Access program for the 2022 cycle consists of up to $11.1 million in Measure A grant funding available for programs that aim to increase Los Angeles County residents’ accessibility to public lands, park facilities, including education, interpretive services, safety information, transportation, and other activities, especially for those in high and very high need areas.
RPOSD is partnering with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), to provide an additional $1 million in Metro funding towards the Recreation Access program to fund transit to parks programs and initiatives as well as service improvements that directly connect the communities to high quality park facilities.

Both of the guidelines for the competitive grant programs will release on June 2, 2022, with an application window open from June 20, 2022 through September 29, 2022.

A virtual workshop for the competitive grant programs will be held in June 2022. The collective experience from the pandemic over the past two years highlighted not only the value of parks and trails but also the need for equitable access to open spaces and recreational programs for all.

“Having access to parks and open spaces is essential for physical and emotional well-being. According to the Los Angeles Countywide Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment, more than half of County residents do not have access to parks within a half mile of their homes and over 52% of County residents live in very high need and high need park communities. With the strong support of the voters of Los Angeles County and the steadfast commitment of the Board of Supervisors, Measure A funding will continue to promote an equity centered approach to create unprecedented access to parks by investing in job training for youth and veterans. We are also very excited to announce the collaboration between RPOSD and Metro and the coordination of Measure A and Measure M to create programming bridges to park access” said Norma Edith García-González, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District. “We encourage cities, park agencies, community-based organizations and all eligible organizations to apply for these critical park access programming funds and to attend the upcoming information workshop.”

“Access to competitive grant funding for youth and veteran work training programs is essential to support a successful and transformative Los Angeles County. These funds will help empower marginalized communities and local organizations by focusing on equity-based solutions to deliver innovative programming that will provide skills training and job placement – all while increasing access to green open spaces in park-poor areas,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District Supervisor.

“Funding for programmatic grants is very difficult to find. For two County entities like the RPOSD and Metro to collaborate is exciting and innovative. The ability for applicants to leverage these separate funding sources will be a huge step towards meeting the needs of our communities in accessing parks and applying for funding to provide training and programs that benefit youth and veterans,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair, Holly J. Mitchell, Second District.

“Cities, non-profits, and community organizations, you all bring the great ideas and we will bring the cold hard cash to make it real,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, Third District. “Back in 2016, County voters overwhelmingly approved Measure A to improve local parks. This cycle of grants is specifically designed to train and employ young people and veterans to work in parks and recreation, and to enhance accessibility to public lands and park facilities.”

Point Vicente Lighthouse, 4th District, LA County (Photo Credit: County of Los Angeles)

“Parks are such important parts of our communities. Through the Recreation Access program and this great partnership with Metro, we’re making sure that more of our residents can enjoy them,” said Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Everyone should be able to safely, easily, and affordably access the beautiful green spaces across LA County.”

“By offering this grant opportunity to cities, non-profits and community-based organizations, RPOSD is exemplifying a collaborative approach to creating new recreation programs. I whole heartedly support that approach,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Fifth District. “I anticipate the forthcoming proposals will reflect creativity, innovation and a variety of opportunities to effectively engage youth, veterans and individuals who have accessibility special needs. I look forward to seeing which proposals rise to the top.”

In November 2016, Los Angeles County voters approved the Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks and Beaches measure (Measure A) with nearly 75% of voters approving the annual parcel tax, affirming the importance of parks to Los Angeles County residents. Since the passage of Measure A RPOSD has allocated $360 Million to cities and park development
agencies to help fund new park space, create better access to existing parks, and improve park amenities. These funds also support community jobs across the region, including programs designed for youth and veterans.

For more information on the competitive grant programs and Measure A funding, visit the RPOSD website at rposd.lacounty.gov.

About Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District
Since its inception in 1992, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) has awarded more than $1.5 billion in grants to cities, County departments, state and local agencies and community-based organizations for
projects to improve and rehabilitate our parks, recreational facilities, trails, and open space lands. Our grants have and will continue to make life better in Los Angeles County by building stronger and safer neighborhoods, enriching recreational experiences, advocating equitable access to parks and open spaces, and preserving our natural spaces for this
and future generations.

By empowering initiatives that create, maintain, and improve our open spaces, RPOSD can help ensure that everyone in the Los Angeles County region benefits from all that parks have to offer. This is all possible thanks to the support from the people of Los Angeles County.

About Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation manages 183 parks and operates a network of 70,079 acres of parkland, 475 sports amenities such as futsal, basketball, tennis, lawn bowling and multipurpose fields, 42 swimming pools, 15 wildlife sanctuaries, 10 nature centers that serve as a refuge for over 200 animals, 14 lakes – 3 of which are boating and swimming lakes, 5 equestrians centers, more than 210 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and the largest municipal golf system in the nation, consisting of 20 golf courses.

The department also maintains four botanical centers: The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, the South Coast Botanic Garden, Descanso Gardens, and Virginia Robinson Gardens. The department also owns and operates the iconic Hollywood Bowl and John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, which are jointly managed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, providing County residents with valuable entertainment and cultural resources.

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Community Services - PSA

LGBTQ+ voter education town hall held tonight in Los Angeles

Unique Women’s Coalition, Equality California and FLUX host discussion on upcoming election.

Published

2 months ago

October 3, 2024

Gisselle Palomera

(stock photo)

The Unique Women’s Coalition, Equality California and FLUX, a national division of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, will host their second annual voter education town hall today at the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center in Los Angeles from 7PM to 9PM tonight.

The organizations will present and discuss ballot propositions and measures that will appear on the November ballot and that affect the LGBTQ+ community in this part of the town hall series titled ‘The Issues.’

“The trans and nonbinary community is taking its seat at the table, and we are taking the time and space to be informed and prepare the voter base,” said Queen Victoria Ortega, international president of FLUX.

The town hall will feature conversations through a Q&A followed by a reception for program participants, organizational partners and LGBTQ+ city and county officials.

There will later be a third town hall before the election and The Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center will also become a voting location for anyone who feels like they need a safe space to vote, regardless of what voting district they are a part of.

“Our community is really asking for a place to talk about what all of this actually means because although we live in a blue sphere, housing and other forms of discrimination are still a very real threat,” said Scottie Jeanette Madden, director of advocacy at The Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center.

Community Services - PSA

Youth Baseball & Softball Leagues for the Spring 2023 are back!

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2023

LA Blade Digital Staff

Photo Credit: County of Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – As the world gets a little warmer and we settle into the Spring season, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is proud to announce the return of our Youth Baseball and Softball Leagues for the Spring 2023 season.

BASEBALL & SOFTBALL ARE BACK!

Sign up for our Spring Sports Leagues, Coming to an LA County Parks Near You!

REGISTER FOR YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES TODAY!

YOUTH BASEBALL

Baseball season is right around the corner, now’s the perfect time to sign up your young athletes for our Youth Baseball Leagues! Our Baseball Leagues will provide an emphasis on learning fundamentals of Baseball, skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun. League will run for 10 weeks and consist of one weekday practice and one game every Saturday. Game score and league standing will be kept. Rules will be enforced. Registration fee will include uniform, award, and umpire. Qualifying teams will advance and participate in the playoffs.

Divisions & Dates:
D3-D6: April 15 – June 12

AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING PARKS
Divisions 3 – 6

NORTH AGENCY

Castaic Sports Complex: 31230 N. Castaic Rd., Castaic 91384 | (661) 775 8865

George Lane Park: 5520 W. Avenue, L-8, Quartz Hill, 93534 | (661) 722 7780

Jackie Robinson Park: 8773 E. Avenue R, Littlerock, 93543 | (661) 944 2880

Stephen Sorensen Park: 16801 E. Avenue P, Lake Los Angeles, 93591 | (661) 264 1249

El Cariso: 13100 Hubbard Street, Sylmar, 91342 | (818) 367 5043

Loma Alta: 3330 North Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, 91001 | (626) 398 5451

Pearblossom Park: 33922 North 121st St East, Pearblossom, 93553 | (661) 944 2988

Val Verde Park: 30300 Arlington St Castaic, 91384 | (661) 257 4014

EAST AGENCY

Arcadia Park: 405 S. Santa Anita Ave. Arcadia 91006 | (626) 821 4619

Allen Martin Park: 14830 E. Giordano St. La Puente 91744 | (626) 918 5263

Bassett Park: 510 Vineland Ave. Bassett | (626) 333 0959

Charter Oak Park: 20261 E. Covina Blvd. Covina, 91723 | (626) 339 0411

Dalton Park: 18867 E. Armstead St., Azusa, 91702 | (626) 852 1491

Manzanita Park: 1747 S. Kwis Ave., Hacienda Heights, 91745 | (626) 336 6246

Pathfinder Park: 18150 Pathfinder Rd., Rowland Heights, 91748 (562) 690 0933

Pamela Park: 2236 Goodall Ave. Duarte, 91010 | (626) 357 1619

Rimgrove Park: 747 North Rimgrove Dr. La Puente 91744 | (626) 330 8798

Rowland Heights Park: 1500 Banida Ave. Rowland Heights, 91748 | (626) 912 6774

San Angelo Park: 245 S. San Angelo Ave. La Puente 91746 | (626) 333 6162

Sunshine Park: 515 S. Deepmead Ave. La Puente, 91744 | (626) 854 5559

Steinmetz Park: 1545 S. Stimson Ave. Hacienda Heights, 91748 | (626) 855 5383

Valleydale Park: 5225 N. Lark Ellen Ave., Azusa, CA 91702 – (626) 334-8020

SOUTH AGENCY

Amigo Park: 5700 Juarez Ave. Whittier, 90606 | (562) 908-4702

La Mirada Park: 13701 South Adelfa Ave. La Mirada, 90638 | (562) 902-5645

Mayberry Park: 13201 East Meyer Rd, Whittier, 90605 | (562) 944-9727

Sorenson Park: 11419 Rosehedge Dr. Whittier, 90606 | (562) 908-7763

GIRLS SOFTBALL

Girl’s Softball League will provide an emphasis on learning fundamentals of Softball, skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun. League will run for 10 weeks and consist of one weekday practice and one game every Saturday. Game score and league standing will be kept. Softball rules will be enforced. Registration fee will include uniform, award, and umpire. Qualifying teams will be advance and participate in the playoffs.

Divisions & Dates

D3 – D6: April 15 – June 12

AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING PARKS
DIVISIONS 3 – 6