The Los Angeles City Council is taking significant steps to enhance the city’s park system, with a focus on community input and long-term planning. During a recent meeting at the Lakeview Terrace Recreation Center, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez emphasized the importance of gathering feedback from Angelenos to shape the future of local parks.

Rodriguez highlighted the ongoing park needs assessment, a project she championed while serving on the budget and finance committee. This initiative aims to collect direct input from residents about their priorities and needs for parks across the city. The city has partnered with Olin, a landscape architecture and urban design firm, to facilitate community surveys and gather data that will inform park development over the next 25 years.

The feedback collected so far indicates a strong desire for unprogrammed spaces that allow for recreational activities and community gatherings, such as festivals. Rodriguez noted that the second phase of outreach will focus on discussing these types of amenities, ensuring that the park system reflects the community's vision for the future.

A collaborative team of 13 firms is working under Olin's leadership, bringing diverse expertise in areas such as public art and stormwater management. This collective effort aims to map out community priorities and integrate them into the park planning process.

As the city moves forward with these assessments, the goal is to create a park system that not only meets current needs but also anticipates future desires of the community. The council's commitment to engaging residents in this process underscores the importance of public input in shaping the spaces where Angelenos gather and play.