July​ ​14,​ ​2017
Jane​ ​Beesley
Administrator
Los​ ​Angeles​ ​County​ ​Regional​ ​Park​ ​and​ ​Open​ ​Space​ ​District
510.​ ​S​ ​Vermont​ ​Ave.,​ ​Room​ ​230
Los​ ​Angeles,​ ​CA​ ​90020
Re:​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​Implementation​ ​Competitive​ ​Grant​ ​Program​ ​Guideline​ ​Development
Dear​ ​Administrator​ ​Beesley,On​ ​behalf​ ​of​ ​the​ ​OurParks​ ​Coalition,​ ​we​ ​thank​ ​you​ ​for​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​feedback​ ​andguidance​ ​on​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​framework​ ​and​ ​grant​ ​guidelines​ ​for​ ​Measure​ ​A.
The​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​Countywide​ ​Comprehensive​ ​Parks​ ​and​ ​Recreation​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment​ ​is​ ​acritical​ ​mechanism​ ​to​ ​the​ ​implementation​ ​of​ ​Measure​ ​A.​ ​The​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment​ ​established​ ​aframework​ ​and​ ​set​ ​of​ ​criteria​ ​for​ ​identifying​ ​park​ ​access​ ​and​ ​park​ ​quality​ ​gaps​ ​throughout​ ​thecounty.​ ​As​ ​such,​ ​OurParks​ ​strongly​ ​endorses​ ​the​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment​ ​as​ ​a​ ​foundation​ ​for​ ​efforts
towards​ ​implementing​ ​Measure​ ​A.
We​ ​also​ ​recognize​ ​that​ ​more​ ​work​ ​is​ ​necessary​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​County​ ​Regional​ ​Park​ ​andOpen​ ​Space​ ​District​ ​(RPOSD)​ ​team​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​Implementation​ ​Steering​ ​Committee​ ​todetermine​ ​how​ ​programmatic-focused​ ​funds​ ​will​ ​be​ ​distributed​ ​to​ ​programs​ ​and​ ​projects​ ​in​ ​amanner​ ​that​ ​ties​ ​back​ ​into​ ​the​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment​ ​by​ ​increasing​ ​access​ ​and​ ​serving
communities​ ​in​ ​high​ ​and​ ​very​ ​high​ ​need​ ​study​ ​areas.
Above​ ​all,​ ​funding​ ​must​ ​be​ ​equity​ ​focused​ ​and​ ​integrate​ ​multi-benefit​ ​approaches​ ​to​ ​project
design​ ​and​ ​implementation.​ ​We​ ​encourage​ ​RPOSD​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​a​ ​clear​ ​framework​ ​and​ ​granting
process​ ​that​ ​is​ ​based​ ​on​ ​equitable​ ​access​ ​to​ ​high-quality​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​spaces​ ​and​ ​thatembrace​ ​innovation​ ​in​ ​community​ ​engagement,​ ​transparency,​ ​and​ ​ongoing​ ​evaluation.
The​ ​following​ ​recommendations​ ​provide​ ​specific​ ​priorities​ ​that​ ​we​ ​believe​ ​are​ ​critical​ ​toachieving​ ​a​ ​successful​ ​equity-based​ ​funding​ ​program.

1.​ ​Equity
The​ ​goal​ ​of​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​is​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​an​ ​equitable​ ​distribution​ ​of​ ​resources​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​ofLos​ ​Angeles​ ​County​ ​residents​ ​through​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​space​ ​projects.​ ​The​ ​OurParks​ ​Coalition
defines​ ​park​ ​equity​ ​as​ ​all​ ​residents​ ​of​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​County,​ ​regardless​ ​of​ ​zip​ ​code,​ ​age,​ ​race,​ ​or
income​ ​level,​ ​having​ ​access​ ​to​ ​a​ ​safe​ ​and​ ​well-maintained​ ​park,​ ​playground,​ ​garden,​ ​or​ ​open
space​ ​within​ ​a​ ​10-minute​ ​walk​ ​from​ ​where​ ​they​ ​live.​ ​With​ ​this​ ​in​ ​mind,​ ​we​ ​recommend​ ​thefollowing:●

Equity-based​ ​criteria​​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​developed​ ​that​ ​allow​ ​for​ ​the​ ​prioritization​ ​of​ ​fundingand​ ​planning​ ​efforts.​ ​In​ ​developing​ ​such​ ​criteria,​ ​we​ ​encourage​ ​RPOSD​ ​to​ ​clearly​ ​definethe​ ​characteristics​ ​of​ ​the​ ​very​ ​high,​ ​high,​ ​and​ ​low​ ​need​ ​communities​ ​outlined​ ​in​ ​theNeeds​ ​Assessment,​ ​to​ ​assist​ ​in​ ​equitable​ ​prioritization​ ​and​ ​allocation.​ ​These​ ​criteria
should​ ​be​ ​demonstrated​ ​using​ ​both​ ​data-driven​ ​and​ ​narrative​ ​formats​ ​in​ ​the​ ​applicationand​ ​should​ ​weigh​ ​the​ ​potential​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​social​ ​equity​ ​and​ ​close​ ​racial​ ​disparities.
Criteria​ ​should​ ​include,​ ​but​ ​not​ ​be​ ​limited​ ​to:○ percentage​ ​of​ ​population​ ​that​ ​is​ ​low-income,​ ​non-white,​ ​and​ ​linguistically​ ​isolated;○ median​ ​household​ ​income;○ percentage​ ​of​ ​youth​ ​and​ ​senior​ ​citizens;○ additional​ ​issues​ ​faced​ ​by​ ​the​ ​community​ ​including​ ​historic​ ​and​ ​current
environmental​ ​issues;​ ​rates​ ​of​ ​illness​ ​and​ ​health​ ​disparities;​ ​risk​ ​for​ ​exposure​ ​totoxic​ ​environments;​ ​and​ ​the​ ​impacts​ ​of​ ​climate​ ​change,​ ​specifically​ ​extreme​ ​heatand​ ​flooding.
We​ ​also​ ​ask​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​consider​ ​factors​ ​in​ ​developing​ ​the​ ​grant​ ​guidelines​ ​that​ ​help
identify​ ​who​ ​directly​ ​benefits​ ​from​ ​the​ ​project​ ​and​ ​any​ ​unanticipated​ ​burdens​ ​that​ ​may​ ​beplaced​ ​upon​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​being​ ​recommended​ ​for​ ​funding​ ​(e.g.​ ​displacement).
Some​ ​potential​ ​factors​ ​to​ ​consider​ ​include:○ numeric​ ​disparities​ ​based​ ​on​ ​race,​ ​color,​ ​national​ ​origin,​ ​income,​ ​and​ ​wealth​ ​ofthe​ ​community;○ statistical​ ​studies​ ​and​ ​anecdotal​ ​evidence​ ​related​ ​to​ ​need​ ​in​ ​the​ ​community;○ support​ ​of​ ​partnerships​ ​with​ ​organizations​ ​that​ ​include​ ​race​ ​and​ ​social​ ​justice​ ​asfundamental​ ​to​ ​their​ ​operations​ ​and​ ​business​ ​practices;​ ​and○ actively​ ​involving​ ​park-poor,​ ​low-income,​ ​and​ ​communities​ ​of​ ​color​ ​in​ ​every​ ​stepof​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​the​ ​guidelines.

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Environmental​ ​justice​ ​and​ ​health​ ​disparities.​ ​Communities​ ​that​ ​historically​ ​andcurrently​ ​face​ ​environmental​ ​injustices​ ​and​ ​that​ ​are​ ​over-burdened​ ​by​ ​negative​ ​healthimpacts​ ​should​ ​be​ ​prioritized​ ​for​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funding.​ ​Parks​ ​and/or​ ​proposed​ ​park
projects​ ​that​ ​are​ ​located​ ​in​ ​very​ ​high​ ​or​ ​high​ ​need​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​also​ ​exhibit​ ​morethan​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​following​ ​factors​ ​should​ ​receive​ ​prioritization:
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high​ ​rates​ ​of​ ​crime​ ​and​ ​low​ ​factors​ ​of​ ​safety​ ​as​ ​identified​ ​and​ ​discussed​ ​bycommunity​ ​members​ ​and​ ​documented​ ​by​ ​local​ ​crime​ ​statistics;
overall​ ​health​ ​of​ ​the​ ​community​ ​as​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​the​ ​county-wide​ ​average;
other​ ​physical​ ​and​ ​environmental​ ​health​ ​issues​ ​that​ ​are​ ​reported​ ​by​ ​thecommunity​ ​or​ ​local​ ​agencies;
communities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​most​ ​at​ ​risk​ ​to​ ​the​ ​impacts​ ​of​ ​climate​ ​change​ ​with​ ​a​ ​focuson​ ​extreme​ ​heat​ ​and​ ​flooding.

Expanded​ ​access.​ ​Funding​ ​should​ ​prioritize​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​have​ ​the​ ​least​ ​amount​ ​ofaccessible​ ​and​ ​usable​ ​park​ ​and​ ​open​ ​space​ ​acreage.​ ​Many​ ​factors​ ​determine
accessibility​ ​and​ ​usability​ ​including:​ ​necessary​ ​travel​ ​time,​ ​distance​ ​and​ ​need​ ​forvehicular​ ​transportation;​ ​physical​ ​obstacles​ ​such​ ​as​ ​freeways;​ ​the​ ​perceived​ ​safety​ ​ofthe​ ​space;​ ​hours​ ​of​ ​operation​ ​and​ ​associated​ ​costs​ ​of​ ​entry;​ ​recreational​ ​amenities
available​ ​in​ ​the​ ​space;​ ​and​ ​the​ ​physical​ ​appearance​ ​and​ ​condition​ ​of​ ​the​ ​space.​ ​These
factors​ ​and​ ​realities​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​taken​ ​into​ ​account​ ​when​ ​determining​ ​criteria​ ​to​ ​ensure
equitable​ ​park​ ​access.
Regional​ ​open​ ​space​ ​acquisition​ ​applications​ ​should​ ​require​ ​an​ ​access​ ​plan​ ​thatdemonstrates​ ​who​ ​is​ ​being​ ​served​ ​by​ ​the​ ​project​ ​and​ ​how​ ​access​ ​is​ ​being​ ​provided.

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Non-traditional​ ​recreational​ ​spaces.​​ ​Many​ ​currently​ ​park-poor​ ​neighborhoods​ ​in​ ​Los
Angeles​ ​County​ ​are​ ​also​ ​very​ ​dense,​ ​with​ ​limited​ ​available​ ​land​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​into​ ​park
space.​ ​In​ ​these​ ​communities​ ​we​ ​encourage​ ​RPOSD​ ​to​ ​consider​ ​innovative​ ​models​ ​andprojects​ ​that​ ​increase​ ​access​ ​to​ ​nature​ ​and​ ​open​ ​space​ ​through​ ​creative​ ​solutions
including:○ utilizing​ ​publicly​ ​owned​ ​rights-of-way​ ​and​ ​vacant​ ​spaces​ ​such​ ​as​ ​transmission
corridors,​ ​alleys,​ ​and​ ​school​ ​yards;○ expanding​ ​the​ ​urban​ ​forest​ ​and​ ​integrating​ ​public​ ​gardens​ ​and​ ​other​ ​naturalelements​ ​into​ ​park-poor​ ​communities;○ provide​ ​transit​ ​to​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​regional​ ​open​ ​spaces​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​a​ ​direct
neighborhood;​ ​and○ provide​ ​funding​ ​for​ ​programs​ ​that​ ​serve​ ​communities​ ​from​ ​park-poor
neighborhoods​ ​even​ ​if​ ​the​ ​program​ ​itself​ ​is​ ​not​ ​physically​ ​located​ ​within​ ​apark-poor​ ​neighborhood.

2.​ ​Multi-benefit​ ​projects
Every​ ​opportunity​ ​should​ ​be​ ​considered​ ​when​ ​designing​ ​new​ ​parks​ ​or​ ​retrofitting​ ​existing​ ​parksto​ ​examine​ ​how​ ​they​ ​can​ ​best​ ​serve​ ​the​ ​multiple​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​the​ ​region​ ​and​ ​the​ ​communities​ ​that
depend​ ​on​ ​them.
Within​ ​the​ ​grant​ ​application,​ ​multi-benefit​ ​project​ ​strategies​ ​should​ ​be​ ​described​ ​in​ ​narrative
format,​ ​while​ ​remaining​ ​data-driven.​ ​Additionally,​ ​we​ ​recommend​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​research​ ​bestpractices​ ​in​ ​both​ ​using​ ​data-based​ ​tools​ ​to​ ​support​ ​grant​ ​application​ ​development,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as3

integrating​ ​data-driven​ ​decision​ ​making​ ​in​ ​the​ ​grant​ ​selection​ ​process.​ ​This​ ​could​ ​include
developing​ ​a​ ​tool​ ​based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment​ ​or​ ​directing​ ​users​ ​to​ ​existing​ ​tools​ ​such​ ​asthe​ ​California​ ​State​ ​Parks​ ​Community​ ​Fact​ ​Finder,​ ​CalEnviroScreen,​ ​or​ ​The​ ​Trust​ ​for​ ​PublicLand’s​ ​Climate​ ​Smart​ ​Cities​ ​Decision​ ​Support​ ​Tool​ ​to​ ​supplement​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment​ ​data.
More​ ​specifically,​ ​in​ ​developing​ ​criteria​ ​for​ ​expenditures,​ ​RPOSD​ ​should​ ​prioritize​ ​projects​ ​that:●

Integrate​ ​multiple​ ​objectives​,​ ​including:​ ​water​ ​conservation​ ​and​ ​supply;​ ​water​ ​and​ ​air
quality​ ​improvements;​ ​flood​ ​risk​ ​management;​ ​greenhouse​ ​gas​ ​(GHG)​ ​reduction;​ ​carbon
sequestration;​ ​heat-island​ ​reduction;​ ​habitat​ ​protection​ ​and​ ​biodiversity;​ ​alternativetransportation;​ ​urban​ ​agriculture;​ ​and​ ​public​ ​health​ ​and​ ​environmental​ ​protection​ ​andjustice.

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Leverage​ ​opportunities​ ​identified​ ​in​ ​integrated​ ​regional​ ​planning​ ​efforts​​ ​(such​ ​asthe​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​County​ ​Climate​ ​Action​ ​Plan,​ ​Watershed​ ​Management​ ​Plans,​ ​theCounty’s​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​Basin​ ​Stormwater​ ​Conservation​ ​Study,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Los​ ​Angeles
Department​ ​of​ ​Water​ ​and​ ​Power​ ​Stormwater​ ​Capture​ ​Master​ ​Plan).​ ​No​ ​project​ ​should​ ​beevaluated​ ​and​ ​designed​ ​in​ ​a​ ​vacuum,​ ​but​ ​rather​ ​planned​ ​as​ ​part​ ​of​ ​a​ ​comprehensive,data-driven​ ​strategy​ ​in​ ​partnership​ ​with​ ​regional​ ​planners,​ ​municipalities,​ ​agencies,​ ​andlocal​ ​stakeholders.

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Apply​ ​design​ ​principles​ ​that​ ​prioritize​ ​sustainability​ ​and​ ​ease​ ​of​ ​maintenance.
Plants​ ​should​ ​be​ ​climate-appropriate​ ​and​ ​have​ ​“Low”​ ​to​ ​“Very​ ​Low”​ ​water​ ​needs,​ ​or​ ​be​ ​apart​ ​of​ ​the​ ​native​ ​plant​ ​community.​ ​They​ ​must​ ​not​ ​be​ ​listed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Cal-IPC​ ​Invasive
Plants​ ​database.​ ​The​ ​design​ ​should​ ​conserve​ ​the​ ​natural​ ​features​ ​of​ ​the​ ​site​ ​to​ ​thegreatest​ ​extent​ ​possible​ ​and​ ​provide​ ​for​ ​the​ ​continued​ ​ecological​ ​health​ ​of​ ​the​ ​area,
including​ ​a​ ​preference​ ​for​ ​native​ ​plant​ ​material​ ​and​ ​enhancement​ ​of​ ​soil​ ​health.

●Utilize​ ​carbon​ ​negative​ ​materials​ ​and​ ​construction​ ​practices.​ P​ roject​ ​planners
should​ ​minimize​ ​the​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​construction,​ ​installation,​ ​and​ ​operation​ ​and​ ​maintenance​ ​byusing:​ ​gravity​ ​flow​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​pumped​ ​flow;​ ​living​ ​filtration​ ​over​ ​synthetic/mechanicalfiltration;​ ​and​ ​living​ ​surface​ ​infiltration​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​piped​ ​drainage.​ ​Where​ ​possible,
projects​ ​should​ ​avoid​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of​ ​carbon​ ​intensive​ ​Portland​ ​cement​ ​and​ ​utilize​ ​low-albedo
materials​ ​for​ ​any​ ​hardscapes.​ ​Priority​ ​should​ ​be​ ​given​ ​to​ ​pervious​ ​surfaces​ ​overimpervious​ ​surfaces.​ ​Parking​ ​areas​ ​should​ ​include​ ​adequate​ ​tree​ ​canopy​ ​using
appropriate​ ​native​ ​tree​ ​species,​ ​and​ ​should​ ​be​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​manage​ ​a​ ​5-year​ ​storm
without​ ​creating​ ​off-site​ ​nuisance​ ​flow.

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Mimic​ ​natural​ ​processes.​ ​Planners​ ​should​ ​include​ ​sufficient​ ​spaces​ ​for​ ​healthy,​ ​living
soils​ ​and​ ​native​ ​vegetation​ ​to​ ​sequester​ ​carbon,​ ​reduce​ ​runoff​ ​water​ ​volume​ ​andpollutant​ ​load,​ ​provide​ ​shading​ ​and​ ​cooling,​ ​and​ ​enhance​ ​wildlife​ ​habitat​ ​and​ ​sense​ ​ofplace.​ ​Where​ ​feasible,​ ​projects​ ​should​ ​direct​ ​off-site​ ​runoff​ ​into​ ​the​ ​park​ ​space,​ ​employ
visible​ ​grading​ ​and​ ​contour​ ​practices​ ​that​ ​maximize​ ​stormwater​ ​capture​ ​and​ ​infiltration,4and​ ​daylight​ ​channelized​ ​subsurface​ ​flows.​ ​Native​ ​landscapes​ ​that​ ​have​ ​local​ ​sources​ ​ofwater​ ​enhance​ ​natural​ ​habitat​ ​and​ ​reduce​ ​the​ ​need​ ​for​ ​imported​ ​water​ ​and​ ​costly
drainage​ ​conveyance​ ​infrastructure.
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Support​ ​local​ ​water​ ​supply​ ​strategies​ ​that​ ​measurably​ ​reduce​ ​GHG​ ​emissions,climate​ ​change​ ​impacts,​ ​and​ ​reliance​ ​on​ ​water​ ​imports.​ ​Parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​spaces
should​ ​be​ ​considered​ ​as​ ​green​ ​infrastructure.​ ​Projects​ ​should​ ​incorporate​ ​stormwater
management​ ​to​ ​reduce​ ​energy​ ​intensive​ ​water​ ​imports​ ​for​ ​irrigation​ ​through​ ​rainwater
harvesting,​ ​groundwater​ ​recharge,​ ​and​ ​efficient​ ​irrigation​ ​practices.​ ​These​ ​methods​ ​arecost-effective,​ ​resilient​ ​to​ ​changes​ ​in​ ​climate,​ ​and​ ​benefit​ ​local​ ​communities​ ​andecosystems.
○ Outdoor​ ​water.​ ​Parks​ ​should​ ​use​ ​stormwater​ ​and​ ​other​ ​non-potable​ ​sources​ ​as
primary​ ​irrigation​ ​sources.​ ​They​ ​should​ ​feature​ ​water-efficient​ ​landscape​ ​andirrigation​ ​strategies,​ ​including​ ​water​ ​harvesting,​ ​reuse​ ​and​ ​recycling,​ ​to​ ​reduce
outdoor​ ​potable​ ​water​ ​consumption​ ​by​ ​a​ ​minimum​ ​of​ ​50​ ​percent​ ​over​ ​that
consumed​ ​by​ ​conventional​ ​practices.​ ​Planners​ ​should​ ​employ​ ​design​ ​andconstruction​ ​strategies​ ​that​ ​reduce​ ​stormwater​ ​and​ ​polluted​ ​site​ ​water​ ​runoff.
○ Indoor​ ​water.​ ​Parks​ ​should​ ​incorporate​ ​strategies​ ​that​ ​in​ ​aggregate​ ​reduce
potable​ ​water​ ​use​ ​by​ ​a​ ​minimum​ ​of​ ​20​ ​percent​ ​below​ ​the​ ​indoor​ ​water​ ​usebaseline​ ​calculated​ ​for​ ​the​ ​building,​ ​after​ ​meeting​ ​the​ ​Energy​ ​Policy​ ​Act​ ​of​ ​1992
fixture​ ​performance​ ​requirements.
○ Potable​ ​water​.​ ​Drinking​ ​water​ ​needs​ ​to​ ​be​ ​available​ ​in​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​County
parks​ ​near​ ​restrooms,​ ​libraries,​ ​most​ ​information​ ​booths,​ ​and​ ​on​ ​trail​ ​heads​ ​whenwater​ ​access​ ​is​ ​available.​ ​Existing​ ​fountains​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​assessed​ ​and​ ​tested​ ​forlead​ ​in​ ​pipes​ ​and​ ​replaced​ ​when​ ​water​ ​flow​ ​is​ ​compromised.​ ​New​ ​bottle​ ​refill
stations​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​installed​ ​where​ ​locations​ ​have​ ​high​ ​pedestrian​ ​use.​ ​Tap
water​ ​education​ ​should​ ​be​ ​supported​ ​through​ ​interpretive​ ​signage​ ​where
possible.

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Maximize​ ​educational​ ​interpretive​ ​opportunities.​​ ​The​ ​benefits​ ​of​ ​green​ ​infrastructure
practices​ ​are​ ​ecological,​ ​economic,​ ​and​ ​social.​ ​Park​ ​and​ ​open​ ​space​ ​projects​ ​should
actively​ ​engage​ ​users​ ​with​ ​strategies​ ​and​ ​best​ ​practices​ ​being​ ​deployed​ ​through​ ​the​ ​useof​ ​interpretive​ ​features​ ​and​ ​programming​ ​so​ ​that​ ​they​ ​may​ ​see,​ ​understand,​ ​appreciate,and​ ​replicate​ ​the​ ​many​ ​benefits​ ​being​ ​provided.

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Integrate​ ​urban​ ​nature.​ ​This​ ​includes​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​protect​ ​existing​ ​natural​ ​areas​ ​or
areas​ ​that​ ​have​ ​significant​ ​habitat​ ​value,​ ​or​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​are​ ​helping​ ​to​ ​remove​ ​invasive
weeds​ ​and​ ​restore​ ​a​ ​site​ ​with​ ​plants​ ​that​ ​have​ ​value​ ​to​ ​pollinators​ ​or​ ​food​ ​for​ ​wildlife.
Native​ ​or​ ​habitat-friendly​ ​plants​ ​that​ ​support​ ​overall​ ​ecosystem​ ​function​ ​and​ ​that​ ​help​ ​toprovide​ ​habitat​ ​value​ ​such​ ​as​ ​shade,​ ​food,​ ​and​ ​hiding​ ​spaces​ ​should​ ​be​ ​prioritized.

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Employ​ ​a​ ​comprehensive​ ​approach​.​ ​A​ ​park’s​ ​composition​ ​should​ ​be​ ​comprehensive
and​ ​promote​ ​many​ ​healthful​ ​benefits​ ​so​ ​as​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​these​ ​many​ ​benefits​ ​extend
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beyond​ ​its​ ​boundaries​ ​to​ ​the​ ​surrounding​ ​community.​ ​When​ ​possible,​ ​public​ ​grounds
should​ ​be​ ​connected​ ​by​ ​greenways,​ ​including​ ​alternative​ ​transportation​ ​ways​ ​andboulevards​ ​so​ ​as​ ​to​ ​extend​ ​and​ ​maximize​ ​park​ ​spaces,​ ​and​ ​improve​ ​the​ ​integrity​ ​andresiliency​ ​of​ ​ecological​ ​corridors.
3.​ ​Community​ ​investment
We​ ​believe​ ​strongly​ ​that​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funds​ ​should​ ​strive​ ​to​ ​benefit​ ​the​ ​existing​ ​community,
through​ ​investments​ ​and​ ​protections​ ​where​ ​possible.​ ​To​ ​this​ ​end​ ​we​ ​recommend​ ​the​ ​following:● Local​ ​hiring.​ ​Where​ ​possible​ ​and​ ​feasible,​ ​funding​ ​programs​ ​should​ ​include​ ​arequirement​ ​that​ ​grantees​ ​identify​ ​and​ ​clearly​ ​articulate​ ​how​ ​they​ ​will​ ​include​ ​local​ ​hiring
and/or​ ​youth​ ​training​ ​for​ ​project​ ​implementation.​ ​This​ ​could​ ​include​ ​partnering​ ​with​ ​thelocal​ ​conservation​ ​corps.​ ​Applicants​ ​should​ ​include​ ​a​ ​letter​ ​demonstrating​ ​their​ ​intent​ ​topartner​ ​with​ ​the​ ​conservation​ ​corps​ ​or​ ​other​ ​specific​ ​details​ ​on​ ​how​ ​they​ ​will​ ​work​ ​withthe​ ​community​ ​to​ ​integrate​ ​local​ ​hire​ ​requirements​ ​into​ ​their​ ​construction​ ​process.
● Anti-displacement.​ ​Grant​ ​programs​ ​like​ ​the​ ​Transformative​ ​Climate​ ​Communities
program​ ​require​ ​anti-displacement​ ​planning​ ​as​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​application.​ ​We
recognize​ ​that​ ​this​ ​may​ ​not​ ​be​ ​feasible​ ​for​ ​smaller​ ​grant​ ​amounts.​ ​We​ ​recommend​ ​that
RPOSD​ ​consider​ ​a​ ​funding​ ​threshold​ ​at​ ​which​ ​a​ ​formal​ ​community​ ​displacement
planning​ ​effort​ ​is​ ​required.
4.​ ​Community​ ​engagement
Planning​ ​for​ ​a​ ​project​ ​should​ ​include​ ​deep​ ​community​ ​engagement​ ​that​ ​encourages
marginalized​ ​populations​ ​to​ ​participate​ ​in​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​process​ ​as​ ​active​ ​decision​ ​makers​ ​in​ ​theircommunities.​ ​Applicants​ ​should​ ​be​ ​required​ ​to​ ​describe​ ​in​ ​detail​ ​their​ ​approach​ ​to​ ​community
engagement​ ​and​ ​the​ ​ways​ ​the​ ​project​ ​addresses​ ​community​ ​priorities.​ ​Outreach​ ​should​ ​betailored​ ​to​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​individual​ ​communities,​ ​consist​ ​of​ ​a​ ​range​ ​of​ ​different​ ​techniques,​ ​andbe​ ​conducted​ ​in​ ​locations​ ​and​ ​at​ ​times​ ​that​ ​are​ ​convenient​ ​for​ ​community​ ​residents.​ ​Translation,
childcare,​ ​and​ ​food​ ​should​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​where​ ​appropriate.​ ​If​ ​necessary,​ ​workshops​ ​or​ ​technicalassistance​ ​for​ ​community​ ​outreach​ ​should​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​applicants​ ​have​ ​the​ ​toolsto​ ​develop​ ​and​ ​implement​ ​a​ ​robust​ ​engagement​ ​plan.
Additionally,​ ​we​ ​encourage​ ​RPOSD​ ​to​ ​support​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​innovative​ ​partnerships
through​ ​the​ ​distribution​ ​of​ ​grant​ ​funding.​ ​By​ ​thinking​ ​outside​ ​the​ ​box,​ ​grant​ ​programs​ ​can​ ​ensurecommunity​ ​needs​ ​are​ ​met​ ​by​ ​involving​ ​organizations​ ​that​ ​truly​ ​represent​ ​the​ ​communities
receiving​ ​funding.
5.​ ​Program​ ​evaluation
The​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment​ ​was​ ​an​ ​important​ ​tool​ ​to​ ​help​ ​determine​ ​the​ ​areas​ ​of​ ​greatest​ ​parkneed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​county,​ ​however​ ​there​ ​is​ ​still​ ​more​ ​work​ ​to​ ​be​ ​done​ ​around​ ​developing​ ​further​ ​anddeeper​ ​community​ ​planning​ ​initiatives.​ ​We​ ​recommend​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​create​ ​a​ T​ echnicalAdvisory​ ​Committee​​ ​(TAC)​ ​to​ ​be​ ​facilitated​ ​by​ ​RPOSD​ ​and​ ​including​ ​diverse​ ​representation​ ​ofpark​ ​and​ ​open​ ​space​ ​stakeholders​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​county.​ ​The​ ​TAC​ ​will:● provide​ ​technical​ ​assistance​ ​support;
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help​ ​to​ ​monitor​ ​the​ ​success​ ​of​ ​the​ ​grant​ ​program​ ​through​ ​setting​ ​numeric​ ​equity-based
goals​ ​for​ ​local​ ​parks,​ ​beaches,​ ​open​ ​space,​ ​and​ ​water​ ​resources,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​forefficiency,​ ​conservation,​ ​and​ ​sustainability​ ​of​ ​the​ ​grant​ ​program;course​ ​correct​ ​if​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​funding​ ​is​ ​reaching​ ​and​ ​having​ ​an​ ​impact​ ​inhigh-need​ ​communities;
identify​ ​and​ ​provide​ ​support​ ​for​ ​issues​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​displacement,​ ​ensuring​ ​they​ ​arebeing​ ​addressed​ ​up-front​ ​and​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​project​ ​implementation​ ​process;ensure​ ​accountability​ ​and​ ​transparency​ ​of​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funding;​ ​andprovide​ ​input​ ​during​ ​updates​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment.

Moreover,​ ​we​ ​recommend​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​includes​ ​on​ ​the​ ​TAC​ ​a​ ​diverse​ ​set​ ​of​ ​stakeholders​ ​withexpertise​ ​in:● housing​ ​and​ ​urban​ ​development,● environmental​ ​justice,● economic​ ​development,● anti-displacement​ ​policy,● conservation,● ecology​ ​and​ ​biology,● botany,● climate​ ​science,​ ​and● community​ ​engagement.
Once​ ​the​ ​TAC​ ​has​ ​established​ ​equity-based​ ​numeric​ ​goals​ ​for​ ​local​ ​parks,​ ​beaches,​ ​open
space,​ ​and​ ​water​ ​resources,​ ​we​ ​recommend​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​create​ ​a​ r​ eport​ ​card​​ ​to​ ​clearlycommunicate​ ​to​ ​the​ ​public​ ​how​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funds​ ​are​ ​being​ ​spent.​ ​The​ ​report​ ​card​ ​should
include​ ​equitable​ ​development​ ​monitoring​ ​to​ ​report​ ​on​ ​community​ ​wellbeing​ ​and​ ​displacement
risk,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​track​ ​progress​ ​in​ ​community​ ​investments.
The​ ​report​ ​card​ ​should​ ​be​ ​based​ ​on​ ​annual​ ​evaluation​ ​and​ ​be​ ​used​ ​as​ ​an​ ​adaptive
management​ ​tool​ ​to​ ​adjust​ ​the​ ​competitive​ ​programs,​ ​ensuring​ ​goals​ ​are​ ​being​ ​met​ ​across​ ​theregion.​ ​Evaluation​ ​is​ ​an​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​do​ ​the​ ​following:● reassess​ ​project​ ​selection​ ​criteria,​ ​taking​ ​into​ ​account​ ​how​ ​impactful​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​is​ ​being;● ensure​ ​a​ ​balance​ ​of​ ​types​ ​of​ ​services​ ​by​ ​service​ ​area;● analyze​ ​distribution​ ​of​ ​funding;​ ​and● allow​ ​opportunities​ ​for​ ​applicants​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​feedback.
Finally,​ ​we​ ​would​ ​like​ ​to​ ​reinforce​ ​the​ ​need​ ​for​ ​RPOSD​ ​to​ ​comply​ ​with​ ​state​ ​and​ ​federal​ ​laws​ ​onequal​ ​access​ ​to​ ​publicly​ ​funded​ ​resources,​ ​including​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​recreation​ ​programs,​ ​and​ ​theneed​ ​for​ ​RPOSD​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​recipients​ ​of​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funding​ ​comply​ ​with​ ​these​ ​laws​ ​when
relevant​ ​and​ ​applicable​ ​to​ ​parks.​ ​Our​ ​nation​ ​was​ ​founded​ ​on​ ​the​ ​ideal​ ​that​ ​all​ ​of​ ​us​ ​are​ ​entitledto​ ​life,​ ​liberty​ ​and​ ​the​ ​pursuit​ ​of​ ​happiness.​ ​Fortunately,​ ​we​ ​know​ ​what​ ​works​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​allcommunities​ ​healthy​ ​and​ ​green​ ​and​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​equal​ ​access​ ​to​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​recreation.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​howpeople​ ​achieved​ ​the​ ​community​ ​victories​ ​to​ ​create​ ​and​ ​protect​ ​the​ ​Kenneth​ ​Hahn​ ​Recreation
7

Center​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Baldwin​ ​Hills,​ ​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​State​ ​Historic​ ​Park,​ ​Río​ ​de​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​State​ ​Park,
and​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​River​ ​revitalization.​ ​These​ ​laws​ ​include,​ ​for​ ​example,​ ​California​ ​Government
Code​ ​11135​ ​and​ ​its​ ​regulations,​ ​Title​ ​VI​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Civil​ ​Rights​ ​Act​ ​of​ ​1964​ ​and​ ​its​ ​regulations,​ ​the
National​ ​Environmental​ ​Policy​ ​Act,​ ​the​ ​Fair​ ​Housing​ ​Act,​ ​the​ ​President’s​ ​Executive​ ​Order​ ​12898
on​ ​environmental​ ​justice​ ​and​ ​health,​ ​and​ ​others.
It​ ​is​ ​our​ ​hope​ ​that​ ​a​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​delivering​ ​projects​ ​does​ ​not​ ​come​ ​at​ ​the​ ​expense​ ​of​ ​ensuring
those​ ​projects​ ​advance​ ​multi-benefit​ ​goals;​ ​the​ ​guidelines​ ​must​ ​include​ ​an​ ​emphasis​ ​onplanning​ ​and​ ​project​ ​development.​ ​A​ ​significant​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​support​ ​for​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​was​ ​premisedon​ ​its​ ​progressive​ ​vision​ ​for​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​space​ ​as​ ​critical​ ​green​ ​infrastructure​ ​and​ ​the​ ​needto​ ​close​ ​the​ ​gap​ ​for​ ​severely​ ​impacted​ ​communities​ ​with​ ​little​ ​or​ ​no​ ​access​ ​to​ ​parks​ ​or​ ​open
space.​ ​We​ ​believe​ ​the​ ​suggestions​ ​provided​ ​will​ ​help​ ​ensure​ ​the​ ​promises​ ​of​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​arefulfilled.
Thank​ ​you​ ​again​ ​for​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​guidance​ ​on​ ​the​ ​implementation​ ​of​ ​Measure​ ​A.
We​ ​look​ ​forward​ ​to​ ​working​ ​with​ ​the​ ​RPOSD​ ​team​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funding​ ​is​ ​distributed​ ​ina​ ​way​ ​that​ ​considers​ ​equity,​ ​justice,​ ​and​ ​environmental​ ​benefit.
Sincerely,

The​ ​#OurParks​ ​Coalition​ ​Core​ ​Team#OurParks​ ​is​ ​convened​ ​by​ ​Audubon​ ​at​ ​Debs​ ​Park,​ ​Bruce​ ​Saito,​ ​The​ ​City​ ​Project,​ ​Community
Nature​ ​Connection,​ ​Friends​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​River,​ ​From​ ​Lot​ ​to​ ​Spot,​ ​Heal​ ​the​ ​Bay,​ ​Los
Angeles​ ​Conservation​ ​Corps,​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​Neighborhood​ ​Land​ ​Trust,​ ​The​ ​Nature​ ​Conservancy,
San​ ​Gabriel​ ​Mountains​ ​Forever,​ ​TreePeople,​ ​The​ ​Trust​ ​for​ ​Public​ ​Land,​ ​and​ ​The​ ​Wilderness
Society.

8

9

We​ ​also​ ​recognize​ ​that​ ​in​ ​addition​ ​to​ ​the​ ​high​ ​and​ ​very​ ​high​ ​need​ ​communities​ ​identified​ ​in​ ​theNeeds​ ​Assessment,​ ​more​ ​work​ ​is​ ​necessary​ ​by​ ​the​ ​LA​ ​County​ ​Regional​ ​Park​ ​and​ ​Open​ ​Space
District​ ​(RPOSD)​ ​team​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​Implementation​ ​Steering​ ​Committee​ ​to​ ​determine
how​ ​programmatic​ ​focused​ ​funds​ ​will​ ​be​ ​distributed​ ​to​ ​programs​ ​such​ ​as​ ​open​ ​space​ ​access,transportation​ ​to​ ​open​ ​space​ ​and​ ​job​ ​training​ ​in​ ​a​ ​manner​ ​that​ ​increases​ ​access​ ​and​ ​servescommunities​ ​in​ ​high​ ​and​ ​very​ ​high​ ​need​ ​study​ ​areas.

Jane​ ​Beesley
AdministratorLA​ ​County​ ​Regional​ ​Park​ ​and​ ​Open​ ​Space​ ​District
510.​ ​S​ ​Vermont​ ​Ave.,​ ​Room​ ​230
Los​ ​Angeles,​ ​CA​ ​90020
Re:​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​Implementation​ ​Competitive​ ​Grant​ ​Program​ ​Guideline​ ​Development
Dear​ ​Administrator​ ​Beesley,On​ ​behalf​ ​of​ ​the​ ​OurParks​ ​Coalition​ ​we​ ​thank​ ​you​ ​for​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​feedback​ ​andguidance​ ​on​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​framework​ ​for​ ​Measure​ ​A.
We​ ​recognize​ ​that​ ​the​ ​LA​ ​County​ ​Park​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment​ ​is​ ​a​ ​solid​ ​start​ ​at​ ​identifying​ ​andprioritizing​ ​park​ ​need​ ​in​ ​LA​ ​County.​ ​However,​ ​we​ ​believe​ ​there​ ​is​ ​still​ ​more​ ​work​ ​to​ ​do​ ​indeveloping​ ​a​ ​framework​ ​for​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funding​ ​that​ ​helps​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​all​ ​communities​ ​in​ ​LACounty​ ​have​ ​access​ ​to​ ​high-quality​ ​and​ ​sustainably-designed​ ​parks,​ ​open​ ​spaces,​ ​andamenities.​ ​Specifically,​ ​funding​ ​must​ ​be​ ​equity​ ​focused​ ​and​ ​integrate​ ​multi-benefit
approaches​ ​to​ ​project​ ​design​ ​and​ ​implementation.​​ ​We​ ​encourage​ ​the​ ​LA​ ​County​ ​Regional
Park​ ​and​ ​Open​ ​Space​ ​District​ ​(RPOSD)​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​a​ ​clear​ ​framework​ ​and​ ​granting​ ​process​ ​thatis​ ​based​ ​on​ ​equitable​ ​access​ ​to​ ​high-quality​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​spaces​ ​and​ ​that​ ​embraces
innovation​ ​in​ ​community​ ​engagement,​ ​experimentation,​ ​transparency,​ ​and​ ​ongoing​ ​evaluation.
The​ ​following​ ​recommendations​ ​provide​ ​specific​ ​priorities​ ​that​ ​we​ ​believe​ ​are​ ​critical​ ​toachieving​ ​a​ ​successful​ ​equity-based​ ​funding​ ​program.
10

1.​ ​Equity
The​ ​goal​ ​of​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​is​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​an​ ​equitable​ ​distribution​ ​of​ ​resources​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​ofLA​ ​County​ ​residents​ ​through​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​space​ ​resources.​ ​With​ ​this​ ​at​ ​the​ ​forefront​ ​of​ ​ourminds,​ ​we​ ​suggest​ ​the​ ​following​ ​recommendations​ ​to​ ​RPOSD:●

Equity-based​ ​criteria​​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​developed​ ​that​ ​allow​ ​for​ ​the​ ​prioritization​ ​of​ ​fundingand​ ​planning​ ​efforts.​ ​In​ ​developing​ ​such​ ​criteria,​ ​we​ ​encourage​ ​RPOSD​ ​to​ ​clearly​ ​definethe​ ​characteristics​ ​of​ ​the​ ​very​ ​high,​ ​high,​ ​and​ ​low​ ​need​ ​communities​ ​outlined​ ​in​ ​theNeeds​ ​Assessment,​ ​to​ ​assist​ ​in​ ​equitable​ ​prioritization​ ​and​ ​allocation.​ ​These​ ​criteria
should​ ​be​ ​data​ ​driven​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​weigh​ ​the​ ​potential​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​social​ ​equity​ ​and​ ​close
racial​ ​disparities.​ ​They​ ​should​ ​include,​ ​but​ ​not​ ​be​ ​limited​ ​to:○ percentage​ ​of​ ​population​ ​that​ ​is​ ​low-income,​ ​non-white,​ ​and​ ​linguistically​ ​isolated;○ median​ ​household​ ​income;○ percentage​ ​of​ ​youth​ ​and​ ​senior​ ​citizens;○ degree​ ​of​ ​need​ ​(which​ ​can​ ​be​ ​identified​ ​based​ ​on​ ​historic​ ​and​ ​current
environmental​ ​issues​ ​that​ ​may​ ​include:​ ​a​ ​history​ ​of​ ​social​ ​and​ ​environmental
justice​ ​issues;​ ​rates​ ​of​ ​illness​ ​and​ ​health​ ​disparities;​ ​risk​ ​for​ ​exposure​ ​to​ ​toxic
environments;​ ​and​ ​the​ ​impacts​ ​of​ ​climate​ ​change,​ ​specifically​ ​extreme​ ​heat​ ​andflooding);​ ​and○ other​ ​factors​ ​such​ ​as​ ​the​ ​risk​ ​of​ ​displacement​ ​due​ ​to​ ​increased​ ​land​ ​values​ ​fromlocal​ ​investment​ ​of​ ​grant​ ​dollars,​ ​development​ ​of​ ​a​ ​park,​ ​or​ ​acquisition​ ​of​ ​a​ ​newopen​ ​space.
Additionally,​ ​we​ ​suggest​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​consider​ ​using​ ​language​ ​and​ ​a​ ​framework​ ​similarto​ ​the​ ​AB31​ ​Grant​ ​Program.​ ​Key​ ​criteria​ ​from​ ​this​ ​program​ ​that​ ​should​ ​be​ ​included​ ​are:○ Does​ ​the​ ​community​ ​within​ ​proximity​ ​of​ ​the​ ​project​ ​site​ ​have​ ​less​ ​than​ ​3​ ​acres​ ​ofusable​ ​open​ ​space​ ​per​ ​1,000​ ​residents?
○ Is​ ​the​ ​median​ ​household​ ​income​ ​lower​ ​than​ ​$47,331?
○ How​ ​has​ ​the​ ​local​ ​community​ ​participated​ ​in​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​the​ ​project​ ​andpriorities?
○ How​ ​does​ ​the​ ​project​ ​integrate​ ​real​ ​multi-benefit​ ​elements?
We​ ​also​ ​ask​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​consider​ ​factors​ ​in​ ​developing​ ​the​ ​grant​ ​guidelines​ ​that​ ​help
identify​ ​who​ ​directly​ ​benefits​ ​from​ ​the​ ​project​ ​and​ ​any​ ​unanticipated​ ​burdens​ ​that​ ​may​ ​beplaced​ ​upon​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​being​ ​recommended​ ​for​ ​funding​ ​(e.g.​ ​displacement).
Some​ ​potential​ ​factors​ ​to​ ​consider​ ​include:○ numeric​ ​disparities​ ​based​ ​on​ ​race,​ ​color,​ ​national​ ​origin,​ ​income,​ ​and​ ​wealth​ ​ofthe​ ​community;○ statistical​ ​studies​ ​and​ ​anecdotal​ ​evidence​ ​related​ ​to​ ​need​ ​in​ ​the​ ​community;○ Supporting​ ​partnerships​ ​with​ ​organizations​ ​that​ ​include​ ​race​ ​and​ ​social​ ​justice​ ​asfundamental​ ​to​ ​their​ ​operations​ ​and​ ​business​ ​practices;​ ​and○ including​ ​park-poor,​ ​low-income,​ ​and​ ​communities​ ​of​ ​color​ ​in​ ​every​ ​step​ ​of​ ​thedevelopment​ ​of​ ​the​ ​guidelines.
11●

Environmental​ ​justice​ ​and​ ​health​ ​disparities.​ ​Communities​ ​that​ ​historically​ ​andcurrently​ ​face​ ​have​ ​historically​ ​faced​ ​environmental​ ​injustices​ ​and​ ​that​ ​areover-burdened​ ​by​ ​negative​ ​health​ ​impactsdisparities​ ​should​ ​be​ ​prioritized​ ​for​ ​Measure​ ​Afunding.​ ​Parks​ ​and/or​ ​proposed​ ​park​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​are​ ​located​ ​in​ ​very​ ​high​ ​or​ ​high​ ​needcommunities​ ​that​ ​also​ ​exhibit​ ​more​ ​than​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​following​ ​factors​ ​should​ ​receive
prioritization:○ high​ ​rates​ ​of​ ​crime​ ​and​ ​low​ ​factors​ ​of​ ​safety​ ​as​ ​identified​ ​and​ ​discussed​ ​bycommunity​ ​members​ ​and​ ​documented​ ​by​ ​local​ ​crime​ ​statistics;○ overall​ ​health​ ​of​ ​the​ ​community​ ​as​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​the​ ​county-wide​ ​average;○ other​ ​physical​ ​and​ ​environmental​ ​health​ ​issues​ ​that​ ​are​ ​reported​ ​by​ ​thecommunity​ ​or​ ​local​ ​agencies;○ communities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​most​ ​at​ ​risk​ ​for​ ​extreme​ ​heat​ ​and​ ​flooding​ ​as​ ​a​ ​result​ ​ofclimate​ ​change.

●

Expanded​ ​access.​ ​Funding​ ​should​ ​prioritize​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​have​ ​the​ ​least​ ​amount​ ​ofaccessible​ ​and​ ​usable​ ​park​ ​and​ ​open​ ​space​ ​acreage.​ ​Many​ ​factors​ ​determine
accessibility​ ​and​ ​usability​ ​including:​ ​necessary​ ​travel​ ​including​ ​time,​ ​distance,​ ​and​ ​needfor​ ​vehicular​ ​transportation;​ ​physical​ ​obstacles​ ​such​ ​as​ ​freeways;​ ​the​ ​perceived​ ​safety​ ​ofthe​ ​space;​ ​hours​ ​of​ ​operation​ ​and​ ​associated​ ​costs​ ​of​ ​entry;​ ​recreational​ ​amenities
available​ ​in​ ​the​ ​space;​ ​and​ ​the​ ​physical​ ​appearance​ ​and​ ​condition​ ​of​ ​the​ ​space.​ ​These
factors​ ​and​ ​realities​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​taken​ ​into​ ​account​ ​when​ ​determining​ ​prioritization​ ​criteriato​ ​ensure​ ​equitable​ ​park​ ​access.

●Non-traditional​ ​recreational​ ​spaces.​​ ​Many​ ​currently​ ​park-poor​ ​neighborhoods​ ​in​ ​LACounty​ ​are​ ​also​ ​very​ ​dense,​ ​with​ ​limited​ ​available​ ​land​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​into​ ​park​ ​space.​ ​In
these​ ​communities​ ​we​ ​encourage​ ​RPOSD​ ​to​ ​consider​ ​innovative​ ​models​ ​and​ ​projectsthat​ ​increase​ ​access​ ​to​ ​nature​ ​and​ ​open​ ​space​ ​through​ ​creative​ ​solutions​ ​including:○ utilizing​ ​publicly​ ​owned​ ​rights-of-way​ ​and​ ​vacant​ ​spaces​ ​such​ ​as​ ​transmission
corridors,​ ​alleys,​ ​and​ ​school​ ​yards;○ expanding​ ​the​ ​urban​ ​forest​ ​and​ ​integrating​ ​publiccommunity​ ​gardens​ ​and​ ​othernatural​ ​elements​ ​into​ ​park-poor​ ​communities;○ provide​ ​transit​ ​to​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​regional​ ​open​ ​spaces​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​a​ ​direct
neighborhood;​ ​and○ provide​ ​funding​ ​for​ ​programs​ ​that​ ​serve​ ​communities​ ​from​ ​park-poor
neighborhoods​ ​even​ ​if​ ​the​ ​program​ ​itself​ ​is​ ​not​ ​physically​ ​located​ ​within​ ​apark-poor​ ​neighborhood.

2.​ ​Multi-benefit​ ​Scoring​ ​Cr
Every​ ​opportunity​ ​should​ ​be​ ​considered​ ​when​ ​designing​ ​new​ ​parks,​ ​retrofitting​ ​existing​ ​parks​ ​or
acquiring​ ​open​ ​space​ ​to​ ​examine​ ​how​ ​the​ ​projects​ ​can​ ​best​ ​serve​ ​the​ ​multiple​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​theregion​ ​and​ ​the​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​depend​ ​on​ ​them.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​essential​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​prioritize​ ​projects
12in​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​most​ ​at​ ​risk​ ​to​ ​the​ ​impacts​ ​of​ ​climate​ ​change​ ​with​ ​a​ ​focus​ ​onextreme​ ​heat​ ​and​ ​flooding.
More​ ​specifically,​ ​in​ ​developing​ ​criteria​ ​for​ ​expenditures,​ ​RPOSD​ ​should​ ​prioritize​ ​projects​ ​that:●

Integrate​ ​multiple​ ​objectives​,​ ​including:​ ​water​ ​conservation​ ​and​ ​supply;​ ​water​ ​and​ ​air
quality​ ​improvements;​ ​flood​ ​risk​ ​management;​ ​greenhouse​ ​gas​ ​(GHG)​ ​reduction;​ ​carbon
sequestration;​ ​heat-island​ ​reduction;​ ​habitat​ ​protection​ ​and​ ​biodiversity;​ ​alternativetransit;​ ​urban​ ​agriculture;​ ​and​ ​public​ ​health​ ​and​ ​environmental​ ​protection​ ​and​ ​justice.

●

Leverage​ ​opportunities​ ​identified​ ​in​ ​integrated​ ​regional​ ​planning​ ​efforts​​ ​(such​ ​asthe​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​County​ ​Climate​ ​Action​ ​Plan,​ ​Watershed​ ​Management​ ​Plans,​ ​theCounty’s​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​Basin​ ​Stormwater​ ​Conservation​ ​Study,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​LADWP
Stormwater​ ​Capture​ ​Master​ ​Plan).​ ​No​ ​individual​ ​park​ ​project​ ​should​ ​be​ ​evaluated​ ​anddesigned​ ​in​ ​a​ ​vacuum,​ ​but​ ​rather​ ​planned​ ​as​ ​part​ ​of​ ​a​ ​comprehensive,​ ​data-driven
strategy​ ​in​ ​partnership​ ​with​ ​regional​ ​planners,​ ​municipalities,​ ​agencies,​ ​and​ ​local
stakeholders.

●

Apply​ ​design​ ​principles​ ​that​ ​prioritize​ ​sustainability​ ​and​ ​ease​ ​of​ ​maintenance.
Plants​ ​should​ ​be​ ​climate-appropriate​ ​and​ ​have​ ​“Low”​ ​or​ ​“Very​ ​Low”​ ​water​ ​needs.​ ​They
must​ ​not​ ​be​ ​listed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Cal-IPC​ ​Invasive​ ​Plants​ ​database.​ ​The​ ​design​ ​should​ ​conservethe​ ​natural​ ​features​ ​of​ ​the​ ​site​ ​to​ ​the​ ​greatest​ ​extent​ ​possible​ ​and​ ​provide​ ​for​ ​thecontinued​ ​ecological​ ​health​ ​of​ ​the​ ​area,​ ​including​ ​a​ ​preference​ ​for​ ​native​ ​plant​ ​materialand​ ​enhancement​ ​of​ ​soil​ ​health.

●Utilize​ ​carbon​ ​negative​ ​materials​ ​and​ ​construction​ ​practices.​ P​ roject​ ​planners
should​ ​minimize​ ​the​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​construction,​ ​installation,​ ​operation​ ​and​ ​maintenance​ ​byusing:​ ​gravity​ ​flow​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​pumped​ ​flow;​ ​living​ ​filtration​ ​over​ ​synthetic/mechanicalfiltration;​ ​and​ ​living​ ​surface​ ​infiltration​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​piped​ ​drainage.​ ​Avoid​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of​ ​carbon
intensive​ ​Portland​ ​cement​ ​and​ ​utilize​ ​low-albedo​ ​materials​ ​for​ ​any​ ​hardscapes.​ ​Priority
should​ ​be​ ​given​ ​to​ ​pervious​ ​surfaces​ ​over​ ​impervious​ ​surfaces.​ ​Parking​ ​areas​ ​should
include​ ​adequate​ ​tree​ ​canopy​ ​using​ ​appropriate​ ​native​ ​tree​ ​species,​ ​and​ ​should​ ​bedesigned​ ​to​ ​manage​ ​a​ ​5-year​ ​storm​ ​without​ ​creating​ ​off-site​ ​nuisance​ ​flow.

●

Mimic​ ​natural​ ​processes.​ ​Planners​ ​should​ ​include​ ​sufficient​ ​spaces​ ​for​ ​healthy,​ ​living
soils​ ​and​ ​native​ ​vegetation​ ​to​ ​sequester​ ​carbon,​ ​reduce​ ​runoff​ ​water​ ​volume​ ​andpollutant​ ​load,​ ​provide​ ​shade​ ​and​ ​cooling,​ ​and​ ​enhance​ ​wildlife​ ​habitat​ ​and​ ​sense​ ​ofplace.​ ​Where​ ​feasible,​ ​projects​ ​should​ ​direct​ ​off-site​ ​runoff​ ​into​ ​the​ ​park​ ​space,​ ​employ
visible​ ​grading​ ​and​ ​contour​ ​practices​ ​that​ ​maximize​ ​stormwater​ ​capture​ ​and​ ​infiltration,and​ ​daylight​ ​channelized​ ​subsurface​ ​flows.​ ​Native​ ​landscapes​ ​that​ ​have​ ​local​ ​sources​ ​ofwater​ ​enhance​ ​natural​ ​habitat​ ​and​ ​reduce​ ​the​ ​need​ ​for​ ​imported​ ​water​ ​and​ ​costly
drainage​ ​conveyance​ ​infrastructure.
13

●Support​ ​local​ ​water​ ​supply​ ​strategies​ ​that​ ​measurably​ ​reduce​ ​GHG​ ​emissions,climate​ ​change​ ​impacts,​ ​and​ ​reliance​ ​on​ ​water​ ​imports.​ ​Parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​spaces
should​ ​be​ ​considered​ ​as​ ​green​ ​infrastructure.​ ​Projects​ ​should​ ​incorporate​ ​stormwater
management​ ​to​ ​reduce​ ​energy​ ​intensive​ ​water​ ​imports​ ​for​ ​irrigation​ ​through​ ​rainwater
harvesting,​ ​groundwater​ ​recharge,​ ​and​ ​efficient​ ​irrigation​ ​practices.​ ​These​ ​methods​ ​arecost-effective,​ ​resilient​ ​to​ ​changes​ ​in​ ​climate,​ ​and​ ​benefit​ ​local​ ​communities​ ​andecosystems.
○ Outdoor​ ​water.​ ​Parks​ ​should​ ​use​ ​stormwater​ ​and​ ​other​ ​non-potable​ ​sources​ ​as
primary​ ​irrigation​ ​sources.​ ​They​ ​should​ ​feature​ ​water-efficient​ ​landscape​ ​andirrigation​ ​strategies,​ ​including​ ​water​ ​harvesting,​ ​reuse​ ​and​ ​recycling,​ ​to​ ​reduce
outdoor​ ​potable​ ​water​ ​consumption​ ​by​ ​a​ ​minimum​ ​of​ ​50​ ​percent​ ​over​ ​that
consumed​ ​by​ ​conventional​ ​practices.​ ​Planners​ ​should​ ​employ​ ​design​ ​andconstruction​ ​strategies​ ​that​ ​reduce​ ​stormwater​ ​and​ ​polluted​ ​site​ ​water​ ​runoff.
○ Indoor​ ​water.​ ​Parks​ ​should​ ​incorporate​ ​strategies​ ​that​ ​in​ ​aggregate​ ​reduce
potable​ ​water​ ​use​ ​by​ ​at​ ​minimum​ ​20​ ​percent​ ​below​ ​the​ ​indoor​ ​water​ ​use​ ​baseline
calculated​ ​for​ ​the​ ​building,​ ​after​ ​meeting​ ​the​ ​Energy​ ​Policy​ ​Act​ ​of​ ​1992​ ​fixture
performance​ ​requirements.
○ Potable​ ​water​.​ ​Drinking​ ​water​ ​needs​ ​to​ ​be​ ​available​ ​in​ ​LA​ ​County​ ​parks​ ​near
restrooms,​ ​libraries,​ ​most​ ​information​ ​booths,​ ​and​ ​on​ ​trail​ ​heads​ ​when​ ​water
access​ ​is​ ​available.​ ​Existing​ ​fountains​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​assessed​ ​and​ ​tested​ ​for​ ​lead​ ​inpipes​ ​and​ ​replaced​ ​when​ ​water​ ​flow​ ​is​ ​compromised.​ ​New​ ​bottle​ ​refill​ ​stations
need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​installed​ ​where​ ​locations​ ​have​ ​high​ ​pedestrian​ ​use.​ ​Tap​ ​water
education​ ​should​ ​be​ ​supported​ ​through​ ​interpretive​ ​signage​ ​where​ ​possible.

●

Maximize​ ​educational​ ​interpretive​ ​opportunities.​​ ​The​ ​benefits​ ​of​ ​green​ ​infrastructure
practices​ ​are​ ​ecological,​ ​economic,​ ​and​ ​social.​ ​Actively​ ​engage​ ​park​ ​users​ ​withstrategies​ ​and​ ​best​ ​practices​ ​being​ ​deployed​ ​in​ ​their​ ​parks​ ​through​ ​interpretive​ ​featuresand​ ​programming​ ​so​ ​that​ ​they​ ​may​ ​see,​ ​understand,​ ​appreciate,​ ​and​ ​replicate​ ​the​ ​many
benefits​ ​being​ ​provided.

●

Integrate​ ​urban​ ​nature.​ ​This​ ​includes​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​protect​ ​existing​ ​natural​ ​areas​ ​or
areas​ ​that​ ​have​ ​significant​ ​habitat​ ​value,​ ​or​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​are​ ​helping​ ​to​ ​remove​ ​invasive
weeds​ ​and​ ​restore​ ​a​ ​site​ ​with​ ​plants​ ​that​ ​have​ ​value​ ​to​ ​pollinators​ ​or​ ​food​ ​for​ ​wildlife.
Native​ ​or​ ​habitat-friendly​ ​plants​ ​that​ ​support​ ​overall​ ​ecosystem​ ​function​ ​and​ ​that​ ​help​ ​toprovide​ ​habitat​ ​value​ ​such​ ​as​ ​shade,​ ​food,​ ​and​ ​hiding​ ​spaces​ ​should​ ​be​ ​prioritized.

●

Employ​ ​a​ ​comprehensive​ ​approach​.​ ​A​ ​park’s​ ​composition​ ​should​ ​be​ ​comprehensive
and​ ​promote​ ​many​ ​healthful​ ​benefits​ ​so​ ​as​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​these​ ​many​ ​benefits​ ​extend
beyond​ ​its​ ​boundaries​ ​to​ ​the​ ​surrounding​ ​community.​ ​When​ ​possible,​ ​public​ ​grounds
should​ ​be​ ​connected​ ​by​ ​greenways,​ ​including​ ​alternative​ ​transit​ ​ways​ ​and​ ​boulevards​ ​soas​ ​to​ ​extend​ ​and​ ​maximize​ ​park​ ​spaces,​ ​and​ ​improve​ ​the​ ​integrity​ ​and​ ​resilience​ ​ofecological​ ​corridors.
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3.​ ​Community​ ​investment
We​ ​believe​ ​strongly​ ​that​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funds​ ​should​ ​strive​ ​to​ ​benefit​ ​the​ ​existing​ ​community,
through​ ​investments​ ​and​ ​protections​ ​where​ ​possible.​ ​To​ ​this​ ​end​ ​we​ ​recommend​ ​the​ ​following:● Local​ ​hiring.​ ​Where​ ​possible​ ​and​ ​feasible,​ ​funding​ ​programs​ ​should​ ​include​ ​arequirement​ ​that​ ​grantees​ ​identify​ ​and​ ​clearly​ ​articulate​ ​how​ ​they​ ​will​ ​include​ ​local​ ​hiring
and/or​ ​youth​ ​training​ ​for​ ​project​ ​implementation.​ ​This​ ​could​ ​include​ ​partnering​ ​with​ ​thelocal​ ​conservation​ ​corps.​ ​Applicants​ ​should​ ​include​ ​a​ ​letter​ ​demonstrating​ ​their​ ​intent​ ​topartner​ ​with​ ​the​ ​conservation​ ​corps​ ​or​ ​other​ ​specific​ ​details​ ​on​ ​how​ ​they​ ​will​ ​work​ ​withthe​ ​community​ ​to​ ​integrate​ ​local​ ​hire​ ​requirements​ ​into​ ​their​ ​construction​ ​process.
● Anti-displacement.​ ​Grant​ ​programs​ ​like​ ​the​ ​Transformative​ ​Climate​ ​Communities
program​ ​require​ ​anti-displacement​ ​planning​ ​as​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​application.​ ​We
recognize​ ​that​ ​this​ ​may​ ​not​ ​be​ ​feasible​ ​for​ ​smaller​ ​grant​ ​amounts.​ ​We​ ​recommend​ ​that
RPOSD​ ​consider​ ​a​ ​funding​ ​threshold​ ​at​ ​which​ ​a​ ​formal​ ​community​ ​displacement
planning​ ​effort​ ​is​ ​required.
4.​ ​Community​ ​engagement
Planning​ ​for​ ​a​ ​project​ ​should​ ​include​ ​deep​ ​community​ ​engagement​ ​that​ ​encourages​ ​traditionallymarginalized​ ​populations​ ​to​ ​participate​ ​in​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​process​ ​as​ ​active​ ​decision​ ​makers​ ​in​ ​theircommunities.​ ​Applicants​ ​should​ ​be​ ​required​ ​to​ ​describe​ ​in​ ​detail​ ​their​ ​approach​ ​to​ ​community
engagement​ ​and​ ​the​ ​ways​ ​the​ ​project​ ​addresses​ ​community​ ​priorities.​ ​Outreach​ ​should​ ​betailored​ ​to​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​individual​ ​communities,​ ​consist​ ​of​ ​a​ ​range​ ​of​ ​different​ ​techniques,​ ​andbe​ ​conducted​ ​in​ ​locations​ ​and​ ​at​ ​times​ ​that​ ​are​ ​convenient​ ​for​ ​community​ ​residents.​ ​Translation,
childcare,​ ​and​ ​food​ ​should​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​where​ ​appropriate.​ ​If​ ​necessary,​ ​workshops​ ​or​ ​technicalassistance​ ​for​ ​community​ ​outreach​ ​should​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​applicants​ ​have​ ​the​ ​toolsto​ ​develop​ ​and​ ​implement​ ​a​ ​robust​ ​engagement​ ​plan.
Additionally,​ ​we​ ​encourage​ ​RPOSD​ ​to​ ​support​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​innovative​ ​partnerships
through​ ​the​ ​distribution​ ​of​ ​grant​ ​funding.​ ​By​ ​thinking​ ​outside​ ​the​ ​box,​ ​grant​ ​programs​ ​can​ ​ensurecommunity​ ​needs​ ​are​ ​met​ ​by​ ​involving​ ​organizations​ ​that​ ​truly​ ​represent​ ​the​ ​communities
receiving​ ​funding.
5.​ ​Program​ ​evaluation
The​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment​ ​was​ ​an​ ​important​ ​tool​ ​to​ ​help​ ​determine​ ​the​ ​areas​ ​of​ ​greatest​ ​parkneed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​county,​ ​however​ ​there​ ​is​ ​still​ ​more​ ​work​ ​to​ ​be​ ​done​ ​around​ ​developing​ ​further​ ​anddeeper​ ​community​ ​planning​ ​initiatives.​ ​We​ ​recommend​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​create​ ​a​ T​ echnicalAdvisory​ ​Committee​​ ​(TAC)​ ​to​ ​be​ ​facilitated​ ​by​ ​RPOSD​ ​and​ ​including​ ​diverse​ ​representation​ ​ofpark​ ​and​ ​open​ ​space​ ​stakeholders​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​county.​ ​The​ ​TAC​ ​will:● provide​ ​technical​ ​assistance​ ​support;● help​ ​to​ ​monitor​ ​the​ ​success​ ​of​ ​the​ ​grant​ ​program​ ​through​ ​setting​ ​numeric​ ​equity-based
goals​ ​for​ ​local​ ​parks,​ ​beaches,​ ​open​ ​space,​ ​and​ ​water​ ​resources,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​forefficiency,​ ​conservation,​ ​and​ ​sustainability​ ​of​ ​the​ ​grant​ ​program;● course​ ​correct​ ​if​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​funding​ ​is​ ​reaching​ ​and​ ​having​ ​an​ ​impact​ ​inhigh-need​ ​communities;
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identify​ ​and​ ​provide​ ​support​ ​for​ ​issues​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​displacement,​ ​ensuring​ ​they​ ​arebeing​ ​addressed​ ​up-front​ ​and​ ​through​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​project​ ​implementation​ ​process;ensure​ ​accountability​ ​and​ ​transparency​ ​of​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funding;​ ​andprovide​ ​input​ ​during​ ​updates​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment.

Moreover,​ ​we​ ​recommend​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​includes​ ​on​ ​the​ ​TAC​ ​a​ ​diverse​ ​set​ ​of​ ​stakeholders​ ​withexpertise​ ​in:● housing​ ​and​ ​urban​ ​development,● environmental​ ​justice,● economic​ ​development,● anti-displacement​ ​policy,● conservation,● ecology​ ​and​ ​biology,● botany,● climate​ ​science,​ ​and● community​ ​engagement.
Once​ ​the​ ​TAC​ ​has​ ​established​ ​equity-based​ ​numeric​ ​goals​ ​for​ ​local​ ​parks,​ ​beaches,​ ​open
space,​ ​and​ ​water​ ​resources,​ ​we​ ​recommend​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​create​ ​a​ r​ eport​ ​card​​ ​to​ ​clearlycommunicate​ ​to​ ​the​ ​public​ ​how​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funds​ ​are​ ​being​ ​spent.​ ​The​ ​report​ ​card​ ​should
include​ ​equitable​ ​development​ ​monitoring​ ​to​ ​report​ ​on​ ​community​ ​wellbeing​ ​and​ ​displacement
risk,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​track​ ​progress​ ​in​ ​community​ ​investments.
The​ ​report​ ​card​ ​should​ ​be​ ​based​ ​on​ ​annual​ ​evaluation​ ​and​ ​be​ ​used​ ​as​ ​an​ ​adaptive
management​ ​tool​ ​to​ ​adjust​ ​the​ ​competitive​ ​programs,​ ​ensuring​ ​goals​ ​are​ ​being​ ​met​ ​across​ ​theregion.​ ​Evaluation​ ​is​ ​an​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​do​ ​the​ ​following:● reassess​ ​project​ ​selection​ ​criteria,​ ​taking​ ​into​ ​account​ ​how​ ​impactful​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​is;● ensure​ ​a​ ​balance​ ​of​ ​types​ ​of​ ​services​ ​by​ ​service​ ​area;● analyze​ ​distribution​ ​of​ ​funding;​ ​and● provide​ ​opportunities​ ​for​ ​applicants​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​feedback.
It​ ​is​ ​our​ ​hope​ ​that​ ​the​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​delivering​ ​projects​ ​does​ ​not​ ​come​ ​at​ ​the​ ​expense​ ​of​ ​ensuring
those​ ​projects​ ​advance​ ​multi-benefit​ ​goals​ ​-​ ​the​ ​guidelines​ ​must​ ​include​ ​an​ ​emphasis​ ​onplanning​ ​and​ ​project​ ​development.​ ​A​ ​significant​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​support​ ​for​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​was​ ​premisedon​ ​its​ ​progressive​ ​vision​ ​for​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​space​ ​as​ ​critical​ ​green​ ​infrastructure​ ​and​ ​the​ ​needto​ ​close​ ​the​ ​gap​ ​for​ ​severely​ ​impacted​ ​communities​ ​with​ ​little​ ​or​ ​no​ ​access​ ​to​ ​parks​ ​or​ ​open
space.​ ​We​ ​believe​ ​the​ ​suggestions​ ​provided​ ​will​ ​help​ ​ensure​ ​the​ ​promises​ ​of​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​arefulfilled.
Thank​ ​you​ ​again​ ​for​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​guidance​ ​on​ ​the​ ​implementation​ ​of​ ​Measure​ ​A.
We​ ​look​ ​forward​ ​to​ ​working​ ​with​ ​the​ ​RPOSD​ ​team​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funding​ ​is​ ​distributed​ ​ina​ ​way​ ​that​ ​considers​ ​equity,​ ​justice,​ ​and​ ​environmental​ ​benefit.
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Sincerely,#OurParks​ ​Coalition

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OurParks​ ​logo​ ​here
June​ ​29,​ ​2017
Jane​ ​Beesley
AdministratorLA​ ​County​ ​Regional​ ​Park​ ​and​ ​Open​ ​Space​ ​District
510.​ ​S​ ​Vermont​ ​Ave.,​ ​Room​ ​230
Los​ ​Angeles,​ ​CA​ ​90020
Re:​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​Implementation​ ​Competitive​ ​Grant​ ​Program​ ​Guideline​ ​Development
Dear​ ​Administrator​ ​Beesley,On​ ​behalf​ ​of​ ​the​ ​OurParks​ ​Coalition​ ​we​ ​thank​ ​you​ ​for​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​feedback​ ​andguidance​ ​on​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​framework​ ​for​ ​Measure​ ​A.
We​ ​recognize​ ​that​ ​the​ ​LA​ ​County​ ​Park​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment​ ​is​ ​a​ ​start​ ​at​ ​identifying​ ​andprioritizing​ ​park​ ​need​ ​in​ ​LA​ ​County.​ ​However,​ ​we​ ​believe​ ​there​ ​is​ ​still​ ​more​ ​work​ ​to​ ​do​ ​indeveloping​ ​a​ ​framework​ ​for​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funding​ ​that​ ​helps​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​all​ ​communities​ ​in​ ​LACounty​ ​have​ ​access​ ​to​ ​high​ ​quality​ ​and​ ​sustainably​ ​designed​ ​parks,​ ​open​ ​spaces,​ ​andamenities.​ ​Specifically,​ ​funding​ ​must​ ​be​ ​equity​ ​focused​ ​and​ ​integrate​ ​multi-benefit
approaches​ ​to​ ​project​ ​design​ ​and​ ​implementation.​​ ​In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​the​ ​intention​ ​ofMeasure​ ​A​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment​ ​are​ ​achieved,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​important​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​specificequity-driven​ ​criteria​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​project​ ​evaluation​ ​criteria​ ​that​ ​demonstrate​ ​community
engagement​ ​and​ ​how​ ​the​ ​project​ ​meets​ ​multi-benefit​ ​design​ ​criteria.​ ​We​ ​encourage​ ​the​ ​LACounty​ ​Regional​ ​Park​ ​and​ ​Open​ ​Space​ ​District​ ​(RPOSD)​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​a​ ​clear​ ​framework​ ​andgranting​ ​process​ ​that​ ​is​ ​based​ ​on​ ​equitable​ ​access​ ​to​ ​high​ ​quality​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​spaces​ ​andthat​ ​embraces​ ​innovation​ ​in​ ​community​ ​engagement,​ ​experimentation,​ ​transparency,​ ​andongoing​ ​evaluation.
The​ ​following​ ​ten​ ​recommendations​ ​provide​ ​specific​ ​priorities​ ​that​ ​we​ ​believe​ ​are​ ​critical​ ​toachieving​ ​a​ ​successful​ ​equity-based​ ​funding​ ​program.
1.​​ ​Use​ ​equity​ ​criteria​ ​to​ ​prioritize​ ​funding​ ​and​ ​planning​ ​efforts​ ​(demographics)
The​ ​goal​ ​of​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​is​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​an​ ​equitable​ ​distribution​ ​of​ ​resources​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​ofour​ ​County’s​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​spaces.​ ​As​ ​such,​ ​it​ ​will​ ​be​ ​important​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​criteria​ ​that​ ​allows
for​ ​the​ ​prioritization​ ​of​ ​funding​ ​and​ ​planning​ ​efforts​ ​to​ ​equitably​ ​address​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​our​ ​very
high,​ ​high,​ ​and​ ​low​ ​need​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​were​ ​outlined​ ​in​ ​the​ ​County-wide​ ​Needs
Assessment.​ ​In​ ​developing​ ​equity-based​ ​criteria,​ ​we​ ​encourage​ ​RPOSD​ ​to​ ​clearly​ ​define​ ​whatthe​ ​characteristics​ ​of​ ​a​ ​very​ ​high,​ ​high,​ ​or​ ​low​ ​needs​ ​community​ ​are.​ ​Knowing​ ​whatcharacterizes​ ​these​ ​communities​ ​will​ ​allow​ ​for​ ​criteria-driven​ ​decisions​ ​when​ ​prioritizing​ ​theallocation​ ​of​ ​County​ ​resources.
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In​ ​developing​ ​equity-based​ ​criteria​ ​for​ ​resource​ ​allocation,​ ​the​ ​criteria​ ​should​ ​be​ ​data​ ​driven​ ​aswell​ ​as​ ​weigh​ ​the​ ​potential​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​social​ ​equity​ ​and​ ​close​ ​racial​ ​disparities.
Based​ ​on​ ​this​ ​recommendation,​ ​the​ ​critical​ ​selection​ ​criteria​ ​should​ ​include:● the​ ​percentage​ ​of​ ​the​ ​population​ ​that​ ​is​ ​low-income,​ ​non-white,​ ​and​ ​linguisticallyisolated;● the​ ​median​ ​household​ ​income;● the​ ​percentage​ ​of​ ​youth​ ​and​ ​senior​ ​citizens;● the​ ​degree​ ​of​ ​need​ ​(which​ ​can​ ​be​ ​identified​ ​based​ ​on​ ​historic​ ​and​ ​current​ ​environmental
issues​ ​that​ ​may​ ​include:​ ​a​ ​history​ ​of​ ​social​ ​and​ ​environmental​ ​justice​ ​issues;​ ​rates​ ​ofillness​ ​and​ ​health​ ​disparities;​ ​risk​ ​for​ ​exposure​ ​to​ ​toxic​ ​environments;​ ​and​ ​the​ ​impacts​ ​ofclimate​ ​change,​ ​specifically​ ​extreme​ ​heat​ ​and​ ​flooding);● other​ ​factors​ ​such​ ​as​ ​the​ ​risk​ ​of​ ​displacement​ ​due​ ​to​ ​increased​ ​land​ ​values​ ​from​ ​local
investment​ ​of​ ​grant​ ​dollars,​ ​development​ ​of​ ​a​ ​park,​ ​or​ ​acquisition​ ​of​ ​a​ ​new​ ​open​ ​space.
Additionally,​ ​we​ ​suggest​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​consider​ ​using​ ​language​ ​and​ ​a​ ​framework​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​the
AB31​ ​Grant​ ​Program.​ ​The​ ​key​ ​criteria​ ​from​ ​the​ ​AB31​ ​Program​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​should​ ​include​ ​are:● Does​ ​the​ ​community​ ​within​ ​proximity​ ​of​ ​the​ ​project​ ​site​ ​have​ ​less​ ​than​ ​3​ ​acres​ ​of​ ​usable
open​ ​space​ ​per​ ​1,000​ ​residents;● Is​ ​the​ ​median​ ​household​ ​income​ ​lower​ ​than​ ​$47,331;● How​ ​has​ ​the​ ​local​ ​community​ ​participated​ ​in​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​the​ ​project​ ​andpriorities;​ ​and● How​ ​does​ ​the​ ​project​ ​integrate​ ​real​ ​multi-benefit​ ​elements?
2.​ ​Environmental​ ​justice​ ​and​ ​overall​ ​health​ ​disparities
Communities​ ​that​ ​have​ ​historically​ ​faced​ ​environmental​ ​injustices​ ​and​ ​are​ ​over​ ​burdened​ ​byhealth​ ​disparities​ ​such​ ​as​ ​those​ ​identified​ ​in​ ​very​ ​high​ ​and​ ​high​ ​needs​ ​communities​ ​should​ ​beprioritized​ ​for​ ​park​ ​funding.
Parks​ ​and/or​ ​proposed​ ​park​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​are​ ​located​ ​in​ ​very​ ​high​ ​or​ ​high​ ​needs​ ​communitiesthat​ ​also​ ​exhibit​ ​more​ ​than​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​following​ ​factors​ ​should​ ​receive​ ​even​ ​stronger
consideration​ ​in​ ​the​ ​selection​ ​criteria:● high​ ​rates​ ​of​ ​crime​ ​and​ ​low​ ​factors​ ​of​ ​safety​ ​as​ ​identified​ ​and​ ​discussed​ ​by​ ​community
members​ ​and​ ​documented​ ​by​ ​local​ ​crime​ ​statistics;● overall​ ​health​ ​of​ ​the​ ​community​ ​as​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​the​ ​county-wide​ ​average;● other​ ​physical​ ​and​ ​environmental​ ​health​ ​issues​ ​that​ ​are​ ​reported​ ​by​ ​the​ ​community​ ​or
local​ ​agencies;● communities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​most​ ​at​ ​risk​ ​for​ ​heat​ ​and​ ​flooding​ ​as​ ​a​ ​result​ ​of​ ​climate​ ​change.
3.​ ​Expand​ ​access​ ​-​ ​broadly​ ​define​ ​fundable​ ​park​ ​and​ ​open​ ​space​ ​projects
Many​ ​factors​ ​determine​ ​not​ ​only​ ​what​ ​can​ ​be​ ​utilized​ ​as​ ​a​ ​park​ ​or​ ​open​ ​space​ ​for​ ​active​ ​andpassive​ ​recreation,​ ​but​ ​also​ ​what​ ​the​ ​degree​ ​of​ ​accessibility​ ​to​ ​these​ ​spaces​ ​is.​ ​In​ ​many20

park-poor​ ​communities,​ ​spaces​ ​for​ ​recreation​ ​can​ ​be​ ​found​ ​in​ ​vacant​ ​lots,​ ​alley​ ​ways,​ ​and​ ​even
underutilized​ ​roadways.​ ​Moreover,​ ​accessibility​ ​to​ ​these​ ​non-traditional​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​spacesis​ ​determined​ ​by​ ​additional​ ​factors​ ​including:​ ​the​ ​time​ ​and​ ​distance​ ​between​ ​open​ ​space​ ​andthe​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​(could)​ ​use​ ​them,​ ​whether​ ​green​ ​space​ ​can​ ​be​ ​reached​ ​without​ ​a​ ​car,
physical​ ​obstacles​ ​such​ ​as​ ​highways,​ ​the​ ​perceived​ ​safety​ ​of​ ​the​ ​space,​ ​hours​ ​of​ ​operation​ ​andassociated​ ​costs​ ​of​ ​entry,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​physical​ ​appearance,​ ​condition,​ ​and​ ​recreational​ ​amenities
available​ ​in​ ​the​ ​space.
Funding​ ​should​ ​prioritize​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​have​ ​the​ ​least​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​park​ ​and​ ​open​ ​spaceacreage,​ ​that​ ​have​ ​the​ ​greatest​ ​challenge​ ​of​ ​accessing​ ​a​ ​park​ ​or​ ​open​ ​space​ ​(i.e.​ ​no​ ​transit,
physical​ ​barriers,​ ​or​ ​unsafe​ ​spaces),​ ​that​ ​have​ ​the​ ​lowest​ ​incomes,​ ​and​ ​that​ ​are​ ​most​ ​impactedby​ ​health​ ​disparities.
Where​ ​necessary,​ ​use​ ​innovative​ ​models​ ​and​ ​projects​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​access​ ​which​ ​includes:● funding​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​utilize​ ​publicly​ ​owned​ ​rights-of-way​ ​and​ ​vacant​ ​spaces​ ​like
transmission​ ​corridors,​ ​alleys,​ ​and​ ​school​ ​yards;● funding​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​expand​ ​the​ ​urban​ ​forest,​ ​integrate​ ​community​ ​gardens​ ​and​ ​othernatural​ ​elements​ ​that​ ​increase​ ​access​ ​to​ ​urban​ ​nature;● funding​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​provide​ ​transit​ ​to​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​regional​ ​open​ ​spaces;● funding​ ​programs​ ​that​ ​serve​ ​traditionally​ ​underserved​ ​communities​ ​yet​ ​may​ ​not​ ​beconsidered​ ​park​ ​poor​ ​as​ ​long​ ​as​ ​there​ ​is​ ​documentation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​community​ ​being​ ​served.
4.​ ​Multi-benefit,​ ​biodiverse,​ ​and​ ​climate​ ​vulnerable
Every​ ​opportunity​ ​should​ ​be​ ​considered​ ​when​ ​designing​ ​new​ ​parks​ ​or​ ​retrofitting​ ​existing​ ​parksto​ ​examine​ ​how​ ​they​ ​can​ ​best​ ​serve​ ​the​ ​multiple​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​the​ ​region​ ​and​ ​the​ ​communities​ ​that
depend​ ​on​ ​them.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​essential​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​prioritize​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​most​ ​at​ ​risk​ ​tothe​ ​impacts​ ​of​ ​climate​ ​change​ ​with​ ​a​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​extreme​ ​heat​ ​and​ ​flooding.​ T​ ools​ ​such​ ​as
CalEnviroScreen​ ​or​ ​The​ ​Trust​ ​for​ ​Public​ ​Land’s​ ​Climate​ ​Smart​ ​Cities​ ​Decision​ ​Support​ ​tool​ ​canhelp​ ​prioritize​ ​the​ ​best​ ​locations​ ​for​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​most​ ​at​ ​risk​ ​for​ ​extreme​ ​heat​ ​andflooding.
More​ ​specifically,​ ​in​ ​developing​ ​criteria​ ​for​ ​expenditures,​ ​RPOSD​ ​should​ ​prioritize​ ​projects​ ​that:●●

Integrate​ ​multiple​ ​objectives​,​ ​including:​ ​water​ ​conservation​ ​and​ ​supply;​ ​water​ ​and​ ​air
quality​ ​improvements;​ ​flood​ ​risk​ ​management;​ ​greenhouse​ ​gas​ ​(GHG)​ ​reduction;​ ​carbon
sequestration;​ ​heat-island​ ​reduction;​ ​habitat​ ​protection​ ​and​ ​biodiversity;​ ​alternativetransit;​ ​urban​ ​agriculture;​ ​and​ ​public​ ​health​ ​and​ ​environmental​ ​protection​ ​and​ ​justice.
Leverage​ ​opportunities​ ​identified​ ​in​ ​integrated​ ​regional​ ​planning​ ​efforts​​ ​(such​ ​asthe​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​County​ ​Climate​ ​Action​ ​Plan,​ ​Watershed​ ​Management​ ​Plans,​ ​theCounty’s​ ​Los​ ​Angeles​ ​Basin​ ​Stormwater​ ​Conservation​ ​Study,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​LADWP
Stormwater​ ​Capture​ ​Master​ ​Plan).​ ​No​ ​individual​ ​park​ ​project​ ​should​ ​be​ ​evaluated​ ​anddesigned​ ​in​ ​a​ ​vacuum,​ ​but​ ​rather​ ​planned​ ​as​ ​part​ ​of​ ​a​ ​comprehensive,​ ​data-driven
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strategy​ ​in​ ​partnership​ ​with​ ​regional​ ​planners,​ ​municipalities,​ ​agencies,​ ​and​ ​local
stakeholders.
Apply​ ​design​ ​principles​ ​that​ ​prioritize​ ​sustainability​ ​and​ ​ease​ ​of​ ​maintenance.
Plants​ ​should​ ​be​ ​climate-appropriate​ ​and​ ​have​ ​“Low”​ ​or​ ​“Very​ ​Low”​ ​water​ ​needs.​ ​They
must​ ​not​ ​be​ ​listed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Cal-IPC​ ​Invasive​ ​Plants​ ​database.​ ​The​ ​design​ ​should​ ​conservethe​ ​natural​ ​features​ ​of​ ​the​ ​site​ ​to​ ​the​ ​greatest​ ​extent​ ​possible​ ​and​ ​provide​ ​for​ ​thecontinued​ ​ecological​ ​health​ ​of​ ​the​ ​area,​ ​including​ ​a​ ​preference​ ​for​ ​native​ ​plant​ ​materialand​ ​enhancement​ ​of​ ​soil​ ​health.
Utilize​ ​carbon​ ​negative​ ​materials​ ​and​ ​construction​ ​practices.​ P​ roject​ ​planners
should​ ​minimize​ ​the​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​construction,​ ​installation,​ ​operation​ ​and​ ​maintenance​ ​byusing:​ ​gravity​ ​flow​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​pumped​ ​flow;​ ​living​ ​filtration​ ​over​ ​synthetic/mechanicalfiltration;​ ​and​ ​living​ ​surface​ ​infiltration​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​piped​ ​drainage.​ ​Avoid​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of​ ​carbon
intensive​ ​Portland​ ​cement​ ​and​ ​utilize​ ​low-albedo​ ​materials​ ​for​ ​any​ ​hardscapes.​ ​Priority
should​ ​be​ ​given​ ​to​ ​pervious​ ​surfaces​ ​over​ ​impervious​ ​surfaces.​ ​Parking​ ​areas​ ​should
include​ ​adequate​ ​tree​ ​canopy​ ​using​ ​appropriate​ ​native​ ​tree​ ​species,​ ​and​ ​should​ ​bedesigned​ ​to​ ​manage​ ​a​ ​5-year​ ​storm​ ​without​ ​creating​ ​off-site​ ​nuisance​ ​flow.
Mimic​ ​natural​ ​processes.​ ​Planners​ ​should​ ​include​ ​sufficient​ ​spaces​ ​for​ ​healthy,​ ​living
soils​ ​and​ ​native​ ​vegetation​ ​to​ ​sequester​ ​carbon,​ ​reduce​ ​runoff​ ​water​ ​volume​ ​andpollutant​ ​load,​ ​provide​ ​shade​ ​and​ ​cooling,​ ​and​ ​enhance​ ​wildlife​ ​habitat​ ​and​ ​sense​ ​ofplace.​ ​Where​ ​feasible,​ ​projects​ ​should​ ​direct​ ​off-site​ ​runoff​ ​into​ ​the​ ​park​ ​space,​ ​employ
visible​ ​grading​ ​and​ ​contour​ ​practices​ ​that​ ​maximize​ ​stormwater​ ​capture​ ​and​ ​infiltration,and​ ​daylight​ ​channelized​ ​subsurface​ ​flows.​ ​Native​ ​landscapes​ ​that​ ​have​ ​local​ ​sources​ ​ofwater​ ​enhance​ ​natural​ ​habitat​ ​and​ ​reduce​ ​the​ ​need​ ​for​ ​imported​ ​water​ ​and​ ​costly
drainage​ ​conveyance​ ​infrastructure.
Support​ ​local​ ​water​ ​supply​ ​strategies​ ​that​ ​measurably​ ​reduce​ ​GHG​ ​emissions,climate​ ​change​ ​impacts,​ ​and​ ​reliance​ ​on​ ​water​ ​imports.​ ​Parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​spaces
should​ ​be​ ​considered​ ​as​ ​green​ ​infrastructure.​ ​Projects​ ​should​ ​incorporate​ ​stormwater
management​ ​to​ ​reduce​ ​energy​ ​intensive​ ​water​ ​imports​ ​for​ ​irrigation​ ​through​ ​rainwater
harvesting,​ ​groundwater​ ​recharge,​ ​and​ ​efficient​ ​irrigation​ ​practices.​ ​These​ ​methods​ ​arecost-effective,​ ​resilient​ ​to​ ​changes​ ​in​ ​climate,​ ​and​ ​benefit​ ​local​ ​communities​ ​andecosystems.
○ Outdoor​ ​water.​ ​Parks​ ​should​ ​use​ ​stormwater​ ​and​ ​other​ ​non-potable​ ​sources​ ​as
primary​ ​irrigation​ ​sources.​ ​They​ ​should​ ​feature​ ​water-efficient​ ​landscape​ ​andirrigation​ ​strategies,​ ​including​ ​water​ ​harvesting,​ ​reuse​ ​and​ ​recycling,​ ​to​ ​reduce
outdoor​ ​potable​ ​water​ ​consumption​ ​by​ ​a​ ​minimum​ ​of​ ​50​ ​percent​ ​over​ ​that
consumed​ ​by​ ​conventional​ ​practices.​ ​Planners​ ​should​ ​employ​ ​design​ ​andconstruction​ ​strategies​ ​that​ ​reduce​ ​stormwater​ ​and​ ​polluted​ ​site​ ​water​ ​runoff.
○ Indoor​ ​water.​ ​Parks​ ​should​ ​incorporate​ ​strategies​ ​that​ ​in​ ​aggregate​ ​reduce
potable​ ​water​ ​use​ ​by​ ​at​ ​minimum​ ​20​ ​percent​ ​below​ ​the​ ​indoor​ ​water​ ​use​ ​baseline
calculated​ ​for​ ​the​ ​building,​ ​after​ ​meeting​ ​the​ ​Energy​ ​Policy​ ​Act​ ​of​ ​1992​ ​fixture
performance​ ​requirements.
○ Potable​ ​water​.​ ​Drinking​ ​water​ ​needs​ ​to​ ​be​ ​available​ ​in​ ​LA​ ​County​ ​parks​ ​near
restrooms,​ ​libraries,​ ​most​ ​information​ ​booths,​ ​and​ ​on​ ​trail​ ​heads​ ​when​ ​water
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●

●

access​ ​is​ ​available.​ ​Existing​ ​fountains​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​assessed​ ​and​ ​tested​ ​for​ ​lead​ ​inpipes​ ​and​ ​replaced​ ​when​ ​water​ ​flow​ ​is​ ​compromised.​ ​New​ ​bottle​ ​refill​ ​stations
need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​installed​ ​where​ ​locations​ ​have​ ​high​ ​pedestrian​ ​use.​ ​Tap​ ​water
education​ ​should​ ​be​ ​supported​ ​through​ ​interpretive​ ​signage​ ​where​ ​possible.
Maximize​ ​educational​ ​interpretive​ ​opportunities.​​ ​The​ ​benefits​ ​of​ ​green​ ​infrastructure
practices​ ​are​ ​ecological,​ ​economic,​ ​and​ ​social.​ ​Actively​ ​engage​ ​park​ ​users​ ​withstrategies​ ​and​ ​best​ ​practices​ ​being​ ​deployed​ ​in​ ​their​ ​parks​ ​through​ ​interpretive​ ​featuresand​ ​programming​ ​so​ ​that​ ​they​ ​may​ ​see,​ ​understand,​ ​appreciate,​ ​and​ ​replicate​ ​the​ ​many
benefits​ ​being​ ​provided.
Integrate​ ​urban​ ​nature.​ ​This​ ​includes​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​protect​ ​existing​ ​natural​ ​areas​ ​or
areas​ ​that​ ​have​ ​significant​ ​habitat​ ​value,​ ​or​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​are​ ​helping​ ​to​ ​remove​ ​invasive
weeds​ ​and​ ​restore​ ​a​ ​site​ ​with​ ​plants​ ​that​ ​have​ ​value​ ​to​ ​pollinators​ ​or​ ​food​ ​for​ ​wildlife.
Native​ ​or​ ​habitat-friendly​ ​plants​ ​that​ ​support​ ​overall​ ​ecosystem​ ​function​ ​and​ ​that​ ​help​ ​toprovide​ ​habitat​ ​value​ ​such​ ​as​ ​shade,​ ​food,​ ​and​ ​hiding​ ​spaces​ ​should​ ​be​ ​prioritized.
Employ​ ​a​ ​comprehensive​ ​approach​.​ ​A​ ​park’s​ ​composition​ ​should​ ​be​ ​comprehensive
and​ ​promote​ ​many​ ​healthful​ ​benefits​ ​so​ ​as​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​these​ ​many​ ​benefits​ ​extend
beyond​ ​its​ ​boundaries​ ​to​ ​the​ ​surrounding​ ​community.​ ​When​ ​possible,​ ​public​ ​grounds
should​ ​be​ ​connected​ ​by​ ​greenways,​ ​including​ ​alternative​ ​transit​ ​ways​ ​and​ ​boulevards​ ​soas​ ​to​ ​extend​ ​and​ ​maximize​ ​park​ ​spaces,​ ​and​ ​improve​ ​the​ ​integrity​ ​and​ ​resilience​ ​ofecological​ ​corridors.

5.​ ​Encourage​ ​and​ ​support​ ​innovative​ ​partnerships
Develop​ ​partnerships​ ​with​ ​organizations​ ​that​ ​include​ ​race​ ​and​ ​social​ ​justice​ ​as​ ​fundamental​ ​totheir​ ​operations​ ​and​ ​business​ ​practices.​ ​Additionally,​ ​RPOSD​ ​should​ ​consider​ ​working​ ​withprivate​ ​partners​ ​on​ ​innovative​ ​park​ ​projects.
-​ ​Maintenance​ ​–​ ​LAUSD-​ ​Incentivize​ ​partnerships
6.​ ​Hire​ ​youth​ ​and​ ​adults​ ​from​ ​local​ ​communities
Where​ ​possible​ ​and​ ​feasible,​ ​funding​ ​programs​ ​should​ ​include​ ​requirements​ ​that​ ​grantees
identify​ ​and​ ​clearly​ ​articulate​ ​how​ ​they​ ​will​ ​include​ ​local​ ​hiring​ ​and/or​ ​youth​ ​training​ ​for​ ​project
implementation.​ ​This​ ​could​ ​include​ ​partnering​ ​with​ ​the​ ​local​ ​conservation​ ​corps.​ ​Applicantsshould​ ​include​ ​a​ ​letter​ ​demonstrating​ ​their​ ​intent​ ​to​ ​partner​ ​with​ ​the​ ​conservation​ ​corps​ ​or​ ​otherspecific​ ​details​ ​on​ ​how​ ​they​ ​will​ ​work​ ​with​ ​the​ ​community​ ​to​ ​integrate​ ​local​ ​hire​ ​requirements
into​ ​their​ ​construction​ ​process.
7.​ ​Incorporate​ ​and​ ​require​ ​anti-displacement​ ​strategies
If​ ​policies​ ​are​ ​in​ ​place​ ​and​ ​there’s​ ​a​ ​planning​ ​process​ ​that​ ​works​ ​and​ ​that​ ​communities​ ​areinvolved​ ​in
Addressing/discussing​ ​role​ ​of​ ​greenspace​ ​in​ ​displacement
Acknowledge​ ​and​ ​discuss
Funding​ ​threshold​ ​–​ ​that​ ​kicks​ ​in​ ​requirements​ ​around​ ​greater​ ​community​ ​displacement
planning​ ​effort
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Displacement​ ​language​ ​from​ ​TCC
Develop​ ​grant​ ​guidelines​ ​that:
1. analyze​ ​the​ ​benefits​ ​and​ ​burdens​ ​on​ ​all​ ​people
a. numeric​ ​disparities​ ​based​ ​on​ ​race,​ ​color,​ ​national​ ​origin,​ ​income,​ ​&​ ​wealthb. statistical​ ​studies​ ​and​ ​anecdotal​ ​evidencec. Who​ ​benefits?​ ​who​ ​gets​ ​left​ ​behind?
d. Define​ ​standards​ ​for​ ​progress,​ ​midcourse​ ​corrections,​ ​and​ ​accountability​ ​2.​ ​include​ ​people​ ​of​ ​color​ ​and​ ​low-income​ ​people​ ​in​ ​every​ ​step
8.​ ​Require​ ​robust​ ​and​ ​authentic​ ​community​ ​engagement​ ​–​ ​community​ ​driven
prioritization
Planning​ ​for​ ​a​ ​project​ ​should​ ​include​ ​deep​ ​community​ ​engagement,​ ​and​ ​traditionallymarginalized​ ​populations​ ​should​ ​be​ ​encouraged​ ​to​ ​participate​ ​in​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​process​ ​as​ ​active
decision​ ​makers​ ​in​ ​their​ ​communities.​ ​Applicants​ ​should​ ​describe​ ​in​ ​detail​ ​their​ ​approach​ ​tocommunity​ ​engagement​ ​and​ ​the​ ​ways​ ​the​ ​project​ ​addresses​ ​community​ ​priorities.​ ​Outreachshould​ ​be​ ​tailored​ ​to​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​individual​ ​communities,​ ​consist​ ​of​ ​a​ ​range​ ​of​ ​different
techniques,​ ​and​ ​be​ ​conducted​ ​in​ ​locations​ ​and​ ​at​ ​times​ ​that​ ​are​ ​convenient​ ​for​ ​community
residents.​ ​Translation,​ ​childcare,​ ​and​ ​food​ ​should​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​where​ ​appropriate.​ ​If​ ​necessary,
workshops​ ​or​ ​technical​ ​assistance​ ​for​ ​outreach​ ​should​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​applicantshave​ ​the​ ​tools​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​and​ ​implement​ ​a​ ​robust​ ​engagement​ ​plan.
9.​ ​Plan​ ​for​ ​ongoing​ ​and​ ​deep​ ​community-based​ ​planning​ ​and​ ​program​ ​evaluation
The​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment​ ​was​ ​an​ ​important​ ​tool​ ​to​ ​help​ ​determine​ ​the​ ​areas​ ​of​ ​greatest​ ​parkneed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​county,​ ​but​ ​there​ ​is​ ​still​ ​more​ ​work​ ​to​ ​be​ ​done​ ​around​ ​developing​ ​further​ ​and​ ​deeper
community​ ​planning​ ​initiatives.​ ​We​ ​recommend​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​create​ ​a​ ​Technical​ ​Advisory
Committee​ ​(TAC)​ ​of​ ​RPOSD,​ ​County​ ​Office​ ​of​ ​Sustainability,​ ​Public​ ​Health,​ ​and​ ​NGO​ ​experts​ ​inorder​ ​to​ ​set​ ​numeric​ ​equity-based​ ​goals​ ​for​ ​local​ ​parks,​ ​beaches,​ ​open​ ​space,​ ​and​ ​water
resources​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​for​ ​efficiency,​ ​conservation,​ ​and​ ​sustainability​ ​to​ ​maximize​ ​the​ ​efficient​ ​useof​ ​parks,​ ​open​ ​space​ ​and​ ​natural​ ​resources.​​ ​The​ ​TAC​ ​would​ ​also​ ​provide​ ​input​ ​during​ ​theupdates​ ​of​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​assessment.
10.​ ​Transparency​ ​and​ ​direct​ ​communication​ ​for​ ​process​ ​and​ ​evaluationOnce​ ​the​ ​TAC​ ​has​ ​established​ ​equity-based​ ​numeric​ ​goals​ ​for​ ​local​ ​parks,​ ​beaches,​ ​open
space,​ ​and​ ​water​ ​resources,​ ​RPOSD​ ​should​ ​create​ ​a​ ​report​ ​card​ ​to​ ​communicate​ ​clearly​ ​to​ ​thepublic​ ​how​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funds​ ​are​ ​being​ ​spent.​ ​The​ ​report​ ​card​ ​should​ ​include​ ​an​ ​equitabledevelopment​ ​monitoring​ ​program​ ​to​ ​report​ ​on​ ​community​ ​wellbeing​ ​and​ ​displacement​ ​risk​ ​aswell​ ​as​ ​track​ ​progress​ ​in​ ​community​ ​investments.
The​ ​report​ ​card​ ​should​ ​be​ ​based​ ​on​ ​an​ ​annual​ ​evaluation​ ​and​ ​be​ ​used​ ​as​ ​an​ ​adaptive
management​ ​tool​ ​to​ ​adjust​ ​the​ ​competitive​ ​programs,​ ​ensuring​ ​goals​ ​are​ ​being​ ​met​ ​across​ ​theregion.​ ​Evaluation​ ​is​ ​an​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​do​ ​the​ ​following:● Evaluation​ ​of​ ​criteria/metrics​ ​–​ ​how​ ​impactful​ ​are​ ​we​ ​being?
● Balance​ ​types​ ​of​ ​services​ ​by​ ​service​ ​area.
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Where​ ​is​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​going?
Evaluate​ ​actual​ ​access​ ​–​ ​opportunities​ ​for​ ​applicants​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​feedback​ ​anddemonstrate​ ​need
Evaluate​ ​the​ ​quality​ ​of​ ​access​ ​–​ ​even​ ​if​ ​the​ ​maps​ ​show​ ​there’s​ ​access​ ​i.e.​ ​cemetery

Additional​ ​recommendations​ ​focused​ ​on​ ​the​ ​administration​ ​of​ ​the​ ​program​ ​include:
Technical​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee
Develop​ ​an​ ​advisory​ ​committee​ ​that:● Provides​ ​technical​ ​assistance​ ​support;● helps​ ​to​ ​monitor​ ​the​ ​success​ ​of​ ​the​ ​program​ ​in​ ​reaching​ ​and​ ​providing​ ​opportunities;● to​ ​course​ ​correct​ ​if​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​is​ ​reaching​ ​and​ ​having​ ​an​ ​impact​ ​onhigh​ ​need​ ​communities;● Identifies​ ​and​ ​provides​ ​support​ ​for​ ​issues​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​displacement​ ​ensuring​ ​thatthey​ ​are​ ​being​ ​addressed​ ​up-front​ ​and​ ​through​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​project​ ​implementation
process.
Moreover,​ ​we​ ​recommend​ ​that​ ​RPOSD​ ​includes​ ​a​ ​diverse​ ​set​ ​of​ ​stakeholders​ ​with​ ​expertise​ ​in:● Housing​ ​and​ ​urban​ ​development,● environmental​ ​justice,● economic​ ​development,● anti-displacement​ ​policy,● conservation,● ecology​ ​and​ ​biology,● botany,● climate​ ​science,● and​ ​community​ ​engagement.
The​ ​technical​ ​advisory​ ​committee​ ​will​ ​provide​ ​citizen​ ​oversight​ ​and​ ​support​ ​that​ ​includes​ ​helpingto​ ​evaluate​ ​the​ ​impact​ ​of​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​programs​ ​and​ ​providing​ ​technical​ ​support​ ​to​ ​community
based​ ​organizations,​ ​cities​ ​and​ ​other​ ​applicants.
It​ ​is​ ​our​ ​hope​ ​that​ ​the​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​delivering​ ​projects​ ​does​ ​not​ ​come​ ​at​ ​the​ ​expense​ ​of​ ​ensuring
those​ ​projects​ ​actually​ ​advance​ ​multi-benefit​ ​goals;​ ​the​ ​guidelines​ ​must​ ​include​ ​an​ ​emphasis​ ​onplanning​ ​and​ ​project​ ​development.​ ​A​ ​significant​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​support​ ​for​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​was​ ​premisedon​ ​its​ ​progressive​ ​vision​ ​for​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​space​ ​as​ ​critical​ ​green​ ​infrastructure​ ​and​ ​the​ ​needto​ ​close​ ​the​ ​gap​ ​for​ ​severely​ ​impacted​ ​communities​ ​with​ ​little​ ​or​ ​no​ ​access​ ​to​ ​parks​ ​or​ ​open
space.​ ​We​ ​believe​ ​the​ ​suggestions​ ​provided​ ​will​ ​help​ ​ensure​ ​the​ ​promises​ ​of​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​arefulfilled.
Thank​ ​you​ ​again​ ​for​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​guidance​ ​on​ ​the​ ​implementation​ ​of​ ​Measure​ ​A.
We​ ​look​ ​forward​ ​to​ ​working​ ​with​ ​the​ ​RPOSD​ ​team​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funding​ ​is​ ​distributed​ ​ina​ ​way​ ​that​ ​considers​ ​equity,​ ​justice,​ ​and​ ​environmental​ ​benefit.
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Sincerely,#OurParks​ ​Coalition

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Other​ ​notes​ ​to​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​is​ ​integrated:
Local​ ​return​ ​criteria​ ​–​ ​5​ ​criteria
Toolbox​ ​for​ ​project​ ​proponent● Sustainability● Climate● Heat​ ​island● Need● Elderly● Planning​ ​department

Possible​ ​people​ ​to​ ​send​ ​the​ ​framework​ ​to​ ​for​ ​review:
Eric​ ​Strauss​ ​–​ ​Meredith
Elva​ ​Yanez​ ​–​ ​Prevention​ ​Institute
Robert​ ​Garcia​ ​–Jane​ ​Beesley​ ​Amy​ ​Lethbridge​ ​–AlfredoManuel​ ​Pastor​ ​–​ ​what​ ​are​ ​the​ ​outcomes​ ​from​ ​these​ ​projects​ ​as​ ​they​ ​move​ ​forward
Michelle​ ​Prichard
Cecilia​ ​Estolano​ ​–​ ​LAANE​ ​–​ ​Alison​ ​Mannos
Who​ ​else​ ​is​ ​missing?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1.​ ​Use​ ​equity​ ​criteria​ ​to​ ​prioritize​ ​funding​ ​and​ ​planning​ ​efforts
2.​ ​Environmental​ ​justice​ ​and​ ​overall​ ​health​ ​disparities​ ​(should​ ​also​ ​drive​ ​how​ ​funds​ ​aredistributed)
3.​ ​Expand​ ​access​ ​and​ ​broadly​ ​define​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​spaces
4.​ ​Fund​ ​multi-benefit​ ​and​ ​biodiverse​ ​projects​ ​and​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​reaching​ ​the​ ​most​ ​climate
vulnerable​ ​communities
5.​ ​Require​ ​robust​ ​and​ ​authentic​ ​community​ ​engagement​ ​–with​ ​an​ ​emphasis​ ​on​ ​projectsthat​ ​integrate​ ​community​ ​driven​ ​project​ ​prioritization
6.​ ​Encourage​ ​and​ ​support​ ​innovative​ ​partnerships
7.​ ​Hire​ ​local​ ​communities​ ​and​ ​youth
8.​ ​Incorporate​ ​and​ ​require​ ​anti-displacement​ ​strategies
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9.​ ​Plan​ ​for​ ​ongoing​ ​and​ ​deep​ ​community-based​ ​planning​ ​and​ ​program​ ​evaluation
10.​ ​Develop​ ​transparent​ ​and​ ​direct​ ​communication​ ​structures​ ​for​ ​both​ ​the​ ​granting
process​ ​and​ ​grant​ ​program​ ​evaluation

OurParks​ ​logo​ ​here
June​ ​29,​ ​2017
Jane​ ​Beesley
AdministratorLA​ ​County​ ​Regional​ ​Park​ ​and​ ​Open​ ​Space​ ​District
510.​ ​S​ ​Vermont​ ​Ave.,​ ​Room​ ​230
Los​ ​Angeles,​ ​CA​ ​90020
Re:​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​Implementation​ ​Competitive​ ​Grant​ ​Program​ ​Guideline​ ​Development
Dear​ ​Administrator​ ​Beesley,On​ ​behalf​ ​of​ ​the​ ​OurParks​ ​Coalition​ ​we​ ​thank​ ​you​ ​for​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​feedback​ ​andguidance​ ​on​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​framework​ ​for​ ​Measure​ ​A.
We​ ​recognize​ ​that​ ​the​ ​LA​ ​County​ ​Park​ ​Needs​ ​Assessment​ ​is​ ​a​ ​start​ ​at​ ​identifying​ ​andprioritizing​ ​park​ ​need​ ​in​ ​LA​ ​County.​ ​We​ ​believe​ ​there​ ​is​ ​still​ ​more​ ​work​ ​to​ ​do​ ​in​ ​developing​ ​aframework​ ​for​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funding​ ​that​ ​helps​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​all​ ​communities​ ​in​ ​LA​ ​County​ ​haveaccess​ ​to​ ​high​ ​quality​ ​and​ ​sustainably​ ​designed​ ​parks.​ ​In​ ​orderto​ ​directly​ ​engage​ ​and​ ​build
community​ ​leadership,​ ​identify​ ​priorities​ ​and​ ​help​ ​direct​ ​funding​ ​to​ ​communities​ ​with​ ​the​ ​most
inequitable​ ​distribution​ ​of​ ​resources.
We​ ​also​ ​recognize​ ​that​ ​to​ ​move​ ​from​ ​planning​ ​to​ ​action​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a​ ​simple​ ​task​ ​to​ ​executeconsistently​ ​in​ ​a​ ​sizable​ ​county​ ​like​ ​Los​ ​Angeles.​ ​We​ ​encourage​ ​the​ ​RPOSD​ ​and​ ​county
partners​ ​to​ ​take​ ​the​ ​time​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​a​ ​clear​ ​framework​ ​that​ ​is​ ​based​ ​on​ ​equity​ ​and​ ​to​ ​embraceinnovation,​ ​experimentation,​ ​learning,​ ​and​ ​ongoing​ ​improvement​ ​in​ ​the​ ​process.
We​ ​also​ ​believe​ ​that​ ​key​ ​to​ ​ensuring​ ​change​ ​is​ ​that​ ​traditionally​ ​marginalized​ ​populations​ ​shouldbe​ ​empowered​ ​to​ ​participate​ ​in​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​process​ ​as​ ​active​ ​decision​ ​makers​ ​in​ ​theircommunities.​ ​First​ ​and​ ​foremost​ ​funding​ ​must​ ​be​ ​equity​ ​focused​ ​and​ ​integrate
multi-benefit​ ​approaches​ ​to​ ​project​ ​design​ ​and​ ​implementation.
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A​ ​key​ ​to​ ​this​ ​includes​ ​the​ ​following​ ​ten​ ​recommendations:
1.​ ​Use​ ​Equity​ ​Criteria​ ​to​ ​Prioritize​ ​Funding​ ​and​ ​Planning​ ​Efforts​ ​(demographics)
The​ ​criteria​ ​should​ ​be​ ​data​ ​driven​ ​and​ ​heavily​ ​weigh​ ​the​ ​potential​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​race​ ​and​ ​social
equity​ ​and​ ​close​ ​racial​ ​disparities.
Critical​ ​demographic​ ​selection​ ​criteria​ ​include:
●
●
●
●
●

Percent​ ​of​ ​the​ ​population​ ​that​ ​is​ ​low-income,​ ​non-white,​ ​or​ ​linguistically​ ​isolation
Median​ ​household​ ​incomeHigh​ ​numbers​ ​of​ ​youth​ ​and​ ​seniors
Displacement​ ​Risk
Degree​ ​of​ ​need​ ​indicated​ ​by​ ​historic​ ​and​ ​current​ ​environmental​ ​issues​ ​-​ ​including​ ​risk​ ​forexposure​ ​to​ ​the​ ​impacts​ ​of​ ​climate​ ​-​ ​specifically​ ​heat​ ​and​ ​floodingWe​ ​encourage​ ​the​ ​RPOSD​ ​to​ ​build​ ​off​ ​of​ ​the​ ​focus​ ​of​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​assessment​ ​to​ ​identify
communities​ ​that​ ​have​ ​the​ ​highest​ ​need​ ​for​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​that​ ​been​ ​disproportionately​ ​impacted​ ​byhistoric​ ​racism​ ​and​ ​environmental​ ​justice​ ​issues.​ ​This​ ​includes​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​have​ ​lower
levels​ ​of​ ​park​ ​acreage,​ ​lower​ ​incomes,​ ​greater​ ​health​ ​disparities​ ​and​ ​are​ ​most​ ​at​ ​risk​ ​to​ ​theimpacts​ ​of​ ​climate​ ​change.
To​ ​ensure​ ​the​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funding​ ​gets​ ​to​ ​the​ ​communities​ ​most​ ​at​ ​need​ ​we​ ​present​ ​a​ ​list​ ​ofcriteria​ ​to​ ​integrate​ ​into​ ​the​ ​framework​ ​you​ ​are​ ​developing.​ ​Additionally,​ ​we​ ​suggest​ ​the​ ​RPOSD
consider​ ​using​ ​language​ ​and​ ​a​ ​framework​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​the​ ​AB31​ ​model​ ​that​ ​prioritizes​ ​a​ ​equitable
access​ ​to​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​space​ ​through​ ​the​ ​implementation​ ​of​ ​multi-benefit​ ​project​ ​types.
The​ ​key​ ​criteria​ ​from​ ​the​ ​AB31​ ​program​ ​that​ ​should​ ​be​ ​used​ ​as​ ​a​ ​guide​ ​include:●

Does​ ​the​ ​community​ ​within​ ​proximity​ ​of​ ​the​ ​project​ ​site​ ​have​ ​less​ ​than​ ​3​ ​acres​ ​of​ ​usable
open​ ​space​ ​per​ ​1,000​ ​residents●Is​ ​the​ ​median​ ​household​ ​income​ ​lower​ ​than​ ​$47,331●

How​ ​has​ ​the​ ​local​ ​community​ ​participated​ ​in​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​the​ ​project​ ​and​ ​priorities●

And,​ ​how​ ​does​ ​the​ ​project​ ​integrate​ ​real​ ​multi-benefit​ ​elements.

More​ ​specific​ ​criteria​ ​that​ ​should​ ​drive​ ​the​ ​development​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​implementationcompetitive​ ​grant​ ​program​ ​development​ ​and​ ​other​ ​programs​ ​funded​ ​by​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funds
include​ ​the​ ​following:
2.​ ​Environmental​ ​Justice​ ​and​ ​Overall​ ​Health​ ​Disparities
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Funding​ ​for​ ​park​ ​sites​ ​with​ ​historic​ ​environmental​ ​injustice​ ​issues​​ ​should​ ​be​ ​prioritized.​ ​Thoseparks​ ​in​ ​locations​ ​with​ ​more​ ​than​ ​one​ ​of​ ​these​ ​factors​ ​should​ ​receive​ ​even​ ​stronger
consideration​ ​in​ ​the​ ​selection​ ​criteria.
This​ ​includes:- Crime​ ​rates​ ​and​ ​identified​ ​safety​ ​issues​ ​in​ ​the​ ​community​ ​as​ ​identified​ ​and​ ​discussed​ ​bycommunity​ ​members​ ​and​ ​documented​ ​by​ ​local​ ​crime​ ​statistics- Overall​ ​health​ ​of​ ​the​ ​community​ ​as​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​the​ ​county-wide​ ​average- Other​ ​environmental​ ​health​ ​issues​ ​that​ ​are​ ​reported​ ​by​ ​the​ ​community​ ​or​ ​local​ ​agencies- Communities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​most​ ​at​ ​risk​ ​for​ ​heat​ ​and​ ​flooding​ ​as​ ​a​ ​result​ ​of​ ​climate​ ​change
3.​ ​Expand​ ​Access​ ​-​ ​Broadly​ ​define​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​spaces
Funding​ ​should​ ​prioritize​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​have​ ​the​ ​least​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​access​ ​to​ ​parks,​ ​have​ ​thelowest​ ​incomes​ ​and​ ​and​ ​that​ ​are​ ​most​ ​impacted​ ​by​ ​health​ ​disparities.​ ​Where​ ​necessary​ ​use
innovative​ ​models​ ​and​ ​projects​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​access.​ ​This​ ​includes​ ​providing​ ​transit​ ​to​ ​parks​ ​andregional​ ​open​ ​spaces.​ ​And​ ​funding​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​include​ ​using​ ​publicly​ ​owned​ ​rights-of-way​ ​andunderutilized​ ​spaces​ ​like​ ​transmission​ ​corridors,​ ​alleys​ ​and​ ​school​ ​yards.​ ​Additional​ ​project
considerations​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​access​ ​include​ ​funding​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​integrate​ ​community​ ​gardens​ ​andnatural​ ​elements​ ​that​ ​increase​ ​access​ ​to​ ​urban​ ​nature.​ ​and​ ​other​ ​projects​ ​like​ ​community
gardens,​ ​school​ ​yards.​ ​Additionally,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​programs​ ​that​ ​serve​ ​traditionally​ ​underserved
communities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​not​ ​located​ ​in​ ​a​ ​community​ ​that​ ​may​ ​be​ ​considered​ ​park​ ​poor.​ ​There
should​ ​be​ ​criteria​ ​that​ ​allow​ ​for​ ​these​ ​programs​ ​to​ ​receive​ ​funds​ ​as​ ​long​ ​as​ ​they​ ​are​ ​able​ ​todocument​ ​who​ ​they​ ​are​ ​serving.
Many​ ​factors​ ​determine​ ​the​ ​accessibility​ ​of​ ​green​ ​space:​ ​Distance​ ​and​ ​time​ ​from​ ​green​ ​space​ ​towhere​ ​people​ ​live,​ ​whether​ ​green​ ​space​ ​can​ ​be​ ​reached​ ​without​ ​a​ ​car,​ ​and​ ​obstacles​ ​such​ ​ashighways.
-​ ​Location​ ​of​ ​natural​ ​geographic​ ​features​ ​and​ ​walkability-​ ​Whether​ ​a​ ​park​ ​is​ ​safe,​ ​or​ ​perceived​ ​as​ ​safe,​ ​by​ ​local​ ​residents-​ ​Physical​ ​appearance,​ ​condition​ ​and​ ​recreational​ ​amenities-​ ​Whether​ ​green​ ​space​ ​is​ ​open​ ​to​ ​the​ ​public,​ ​hours​ ​of​ ​operation​ ​and​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​admission
4.​ ​Multi-benefit​ ​and​ ​biodiverse​ ​and​ ​climate​ ​vulnerable
Every​ ​opportunity​ ​should​ ​be​ ​considered​ ​when​ ​designing​ ​new​ ​parks​ ​or​ ​retrofitting​ ​existing​ ​parksto​ ​examine​ ​how​ ​they​ ​can​ ​best​ ​serve​ ​the​ ​multiple​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​the​ ​region​ ​and​ ​the​ ​communities​ ​that
depend​ ​on​ ​them.​ ​Prioritize​ ​communities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​most​ ​at​ ​risk​ ​to​ ​the​ ​impacts​ ​of​ ​climatechange​ ​with​ ​a​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​heat​ ​and​ ​flooding.​ ​Tools​ ​like​ ​CalEnviroScreen​ ​or​ ​The​ ​Trust​ ​for​ ​PublicLand’s​ ​Climate​ ​Smart​ ​Cities​ ​Decision​ ​Support​ ​tool​ ​can​ ​help​ ​to​ ​prioritize​ ​the​ ​best​ ​locations​ ​forcommunities​ ​that​ ​are​ ​most​ ​at​ ​risk​ ​for​ ​heat​ ​and​ ​flooding.
More​ ​specifically,​ ​in​ ​developing​ ​criteria​ ​for​ ​expenditures,​ ​RPOSD​ ​should​ ​prioritize​ ​projects​ ​that:30

Integrate​ ​multiple​ ​objectives​,​ ​including:​ ​water​ ​conservation​ ​and​ ​supply;​ ​water​ ​and​ ​air​ ​quality
improvements;​ ​flood​ ​risk​ ​management;​ ​greenhouse​ ​gas​ ​(GHG)​ ​reduction;​ ​carbon​ ​sequestration;
heat-island​ ​reduction;​ ​habitat​ ​protection​ ​and​ ​biodiversity;​ ​alternative​ ​transit;​ ​urban​ ​agriculture;public​ ​health​ ​and​ ​environmental​ ​protection​ ​and​ ​justice.
Leverage​ ​opportunities​ ​identified​ ​in​ ​integrated​ ​regional​ ​planning​ ​efforts​​ ​(such​ ​as​ ​the​ ​Los
Angeles​ ​County​ ​Climate​ ​Action​ ​Plan,​ ​Watershed​ ​Management​ ​Plans,​ ​the​ ​County’s​ ​Los​ ​Angeles
Basin​ ​Stormwater​ ​Conservation​ ​Study,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​LADWP​ ​Stormwater​ ​Capture​ ​Master​ ​Plan).​ ​No
individual​ ​park​ ​project​ ​should​ ​be​ ​evaluated​ ​and​ ​designed​ ​in​ ​a​ ​vacuum,​ ​but​ ​rather​ ​planned​ ​aspart​ ​of​ ​a​ ​comprehensive,​ ​data-driven​ ​strategy​ ​in​ ​partnership​ ​with​ ​regional​ ​planners,
municipalities,​ ​agencies,​ ​and​ ​local​ ​stakeholders.
Apply​ ​design​ ​principles​ ​that​ ​prioritize​ ​sustainability​ ​and​ ​ease​ ​of​ ​maintenance.​​ ​Plants
should​ ​be​ ​climate-appropriate​ ​and​ ​have​ ​“Low”​ ​or​ ​“Very​ ​Low”​ ​water​ ​needs.​ ​They​ ​must​ ​not​ ​belisted​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Cal-IPC​ ​Invasive​ ​Plants​ ​database.​​ ​The​ ​design​ ​should​ ​conserve​ ​the​ ​natural​ ​featuresof​ ​the​ ​site​ ​to​ ​the​ ​greatest​ ​extent​ ​possible​ ​and​ ​provide​ ​for​ ​the​ ​continued​ ​ecological​ ​health​ ​of​ ​thearea,​ ​including​ ​a​ ​preference​ ​for​ ​native​ ​plant​ ​material​ ​and​ ​enhancement​ ​of​ ​soil​ ​health.
Utilize​ ​carbon​ ​negative​ ​materials​ ​and​ ​construction​ ​practices.​ P​ roject​ ​planners​ ​should
minimize​ ​the​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​construction,​ ​installation,​ ​operation​ ​and​ ​maintenance​ ​by​ ​using:​ ​gravity​ ​flow
rather​ ​than​ ​pumped​ ​flow;​ ​living​ ​filtration​ ​over​ ​synthetic/mechanical​ ​filtration;​ ​and​ ​living​ ​surface
infiltration​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​piped​ ​drainage.​ ​Avoid​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of​ ​carbon​ ​intensive​ ​Portland​ ​cement​ ​andutilize​ ​low​ ​albedo​ ​materials​ ​for​ ​any​ ​hardscapes.​ ​Priority​ ​should​ ​be​ ​given​ ​to​ ​pervious​ ​surfaces
over​ ​impervious​ ​surfaces.​ ​Parking​ ​areas​ ​should​ ​include​ ​adequate​ ​tree​ ​canopy​ ​using​ ​appropriate
native​ ​tree​ ​species,​ ​and​ ​should​ ​be​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​manage​ ​a​ ​5-year​ ​storm​ ​without​ ​creating​ ​off-sitenuisance​ ​flow.
Mimic​ ​natural​ ​processes.​ ​Planners​ ​should​ ​include​ ​sufficient​ ​spaces​ ​for​ ​healthy,​ ​living​ ​soils​ ​andnative​ ​vegetation​ ​to​ ​sequester​ ​carbon,​ ​reduce​ ​runoff​ ​water​ ​volume​ ​and​ ​pollutant​ ​load,​ ​provide
shade​ ​and​ ​cooling,​ ​and​ ​enhance​ ​wildlife​ ​habitat​ ​and​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​place.​ ​Where​ ​feasible,​ ​projects
should​ ​direct​ ​off-site​ ​runoff​ ​into​ ​the​ ​park​ ​space,​ ​employ​ ​visible​ ​grading​ ​and​ ​contour​ ​practicesthat​ ​maximize​ ​stormwater​ ​capture​ ​and​ ​infiltration​ ​and​ ​daylight​ ​channelized​ ​subsurface​ ​flows.
Native​ ​landscapes​ ​that​ ​have​ ​local​ ​sources​ ​of​ ​water​ ​enhance​ ​natural​ ​habitat​ ​and​ ​reduce​ ​theneed​ ​for​ ​imported​ ​water​ ​and​ ​costly​ ​drainage​ ​conveyance​ ​infrastructure.
Support​ ​local​ ​water​ ​supply​ ​strategies​ ​that​ ​measurably​ ​reduce​ ​GHG​ ​emissions,​ ​climatechange​ ​impacts,​ ​and​ ​reliance​ ​on​ ​water​ ​imports.​ ​Parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​spaces​ ​should​ ​beconsidered​ ​as​ ​green​ ​infrastructure.​ ​Projects​ ​should​ ​incorporate​ ​stormwater​ ​management​ ​toreduce​ ​energy​ ​intensive​ ​water​ ​imports​ ​for​ ​irrigation​ ​through​ ​rainwater​ ​harvesting,​ ​groundwater
recharge,​ ​and​ ​efficient​ ​irrigation​ ​practices.​ ​These​ ​methods​ ​are​ ​cost-effective,​ ​resilient​ ​tochanges​ ​in​ ​climate,​ ​and​ ​benefit​ ​local​ ​communities​ ​and​ ​ecosystems.

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Outdoor​ ​Water.​ ​Parks​ ​should​ ​use​ ​stormwater​ ​and​ ​other​ ​non-potable​ ​sources​ ​as​ ​primaryirrigation​ ​sources.​ ​They​ ​should​ ​feature​ ​water​ ​efficient​ ​landscape​ ​and​ ​irrigation​ ​strategies,
including​ ​water​ ​harvesting,​ ​reuse​ ​and​ ​recycling,​ ​to​ ​reduce​ ​outdoor​ ​potable​ ​water​ ​consumptionby​ ​a​ ​minimum​ ​of​ ​50​ ​percent​ ​over​ ​that​ ​consumed​ ​by​ ​conventional​ ​practices.​ ​Planners​ ​should
employ​ ​design​ ​and​ ​construction​ ​strategies​ ​that​ ​reduce​ ​stormwater​ ​and​ ​polluted​ ​site​ ​waterrunoff.
Indoor​ ​Water.​ ​Parks​ ​should​ ​incorporate​ ​strategies​ ​that​ ​in​ ​aggregate​ ​reduce​ ​potable​ ​water​ ​useby​ ​at​ ​minimum​ ​20​ ​percent​ ​below​ ​the​ ​indoor​ ​water​ ​use​ ​baseline​ ​calculated​ ​for​ ​the​ ​building,​ ​after
meeting​ ​the​ ​Energy​ ​Policy​ ​Act​ ​of​ ​1992​ ​fixture​ ​performance​ ​requirements.
Potable​ ​Water​.​ ​Drinking​ ​water​ ​needs​ ​to​ ​be​ ​available​ ​in​ ​L.A.​ ​County​ ​parks​ ​near​ ​restrooms,
libraries,​ ​most​ ​information​ ​booths​ ​and​ ​on​ ​trail​ ​heads​ ​when​ ​water​ ​access​ ​is​ ​available.​ ​Existing
fountains​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​assessed​ ​and​ ​tested​ ​for​ ​lead​ ​in​ ​pipes​ ​and​ ​replaced​ ​when​ ​water​ ​flow​ ​iscompromised.​ ​New​ ​bottle​ ​refill​ ​stations​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​installed​ ​where​ ​locations​ ​have​ ​highpedestrian​ ​use.​ ​Tap​ ​water​ ​education​ ​should​ ​be​ ​supported​ ​through​ ​interpretive​ ​signage​ ​where
possible.
Maximize​ ​educational​ ​interpretive​ ​opportunities.​​ ​The​ ​benefits​ ​of​ ​green​ ​infrastructure
practices​ ​are​ ​ecological,​ ​economic,​ ​and​ ​social.​ ​Actively​ ​engage​ ​park​ ​users​ ​with​ ​strategies​ ​andbest​ ​practices​ ​being​ ​deployed​ ​in​ ​their​ ​parks​ ​through​ ​interpretive​ ​features​ ​and​ ​programming​ ​sothat​ ​they​ ​may​ ​see,​ ​understand,​ ​appreciate,​ ​and​ ​replicate​ ​the​ ​many​ ​benefits​ ​being​ ​provided.
Integrate​ ​urban​ ​nature.
This​ ​includes​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​protect​ ​existing​ ​natural​ ​areas​ ​or​ ​areas​ ​that​ ​have​ ​significant​ ​habitat
value.​ ​Or​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​are​ ​helping​ ​to​ ​remove​ ​invasive​ ​weeds​ ​and​ ​restore​ ​a​ ​site​ ​with​ ​plants​ ​thathave​ ​value​ ​pollinators​ ​or​ ​food​ ​for​ ​wildlife.​ ​Finally​ ​native​ ​or​ ​habitat​ ​friendly​ ​plants​ ​that​ ​support
overall​ ​ecosystem​ ​function​ ​and​ ​that​ ​help​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​habitat​ ​value​ ​such​ ​as​ ​shade,​ ​food​ ​andhiding​ ​spaces​ ​should​ ​be​ ​prioritized.
Employ​ ​a​ ​comprehensive​ ​approach​.​ ​A​ ​park’s​ ​composition​ ​should​ ​be​ ​comprehensive​ ​andpromote​ ​many​ ​healthful​ ​benefits,​ ​so​ ​as​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​these​ ​many​ ​benefits​ ​extend​ ​beyond​ ​itsboundaries​ ​to​ ​the​ ​surrounding​ ​community.​ ​When​ ​possible,​ ​public​ ​grounds​ ​should​ ​be​ ​connectedby​ ​greenways,​ ​including​ ​alternative​ ​transit​ ​ways​ ​and​ ​boulevards​ ​so​ ​as​ ​to​ ​extend​ ​and​ ​maximizepark​ ​spaces,​ ​and​ ​improve​ ​the​ ​integrity​ ​and​ ​resilience​ ​of​ ​ecological​ ​corridors.
5.​ ​Require​ ​robust​ ​and​ ​authentic​ ​community​ ​engagement​ ​–​ ​community​ ​driven
prioritization
Planning​ ​for​ ​a​ ​project​ ​should​ ​include​ ​deep​ ​community​ ​engagement.​ ​Applicants​ ​should​ ​describein​ ​detail​ ​their​ ​approach​ ​to​ ​community​ ​engagement​ ​and​ ​describe​ ​the​ ​ways​ ​the​ ​project​ ​addresses
community​ ​priorities.​ ​Outreach​ ​should​ ​be​ ​tailored​ ​to​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​individual​ ​communities​ ​andconsist​ ​of​ ​a​ ​range​ ​of​ ​different​ ​techniques​ ​and​ ​be​ ​conducted​ ​in​ ​locations​ ​and​ ​at​ ​times​ ​that​ ​areconvenient​ ​for​ ​community​ ​residents.​ ​Translation,​ ​childcare​ ​and​ ​food​ ​should​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​where32appropriate.​ ​If​ ​necessary​ ​workshops​ ​or​ ​technical​ ​assistance​ ​for​ ​outreach​ ​should​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​toensure​ ​that​ ​applicants​ ​have​ ​the​ ​tools​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​and​ ​implement​ ​a​ ​robust​ ​engagement​ ​plan.
6.​ ​Encourage​ ​and​ ​Support​ ​Innovative​ ​Partnerships
Develop​ ​partnerships​ ​with​ ​organizations​ ​that​ ​include​ ​race​ ​and​ ​social​ ​justice​ ​as​ ​fundamental​ ​totheir​ ​operations​ ​and​ ​business​ ​practices.
-​ ​Maintenance​ ​–​ ​LAUSD-​ ​Incentivize​ ​partnerships
7.​ ​Hire​ ​Local​ ​Communities​ ​and​ ​Youth
Where​ ​possible​ ​and​ ​feasible​ ​funding​ ​programs​ ​should​ ​include​ ​requirements​ ​that​ ​grantees
identify​ ​and​ ​clearly​ ​articulate​ ​how​ ​they​ ​will​ ​include​ ​a​ ​local​ ​hire​ ​or​ ​youth​ ​training​ ​for​ ​project
implementation.​ ​This​ ​could​ ​include​ ​partnering​ ​with​ ​the​ ​local​ ​conservation​ ​corps.​ ​Applicantsshould​ ​include​ ​a​ ​letter​ ​demonstrating​ ​their​ ​intent​ ​to​ ​partner​ ​with​ ​the​ ​conservation​ ​corps​ ​or​ ​otherspecific​ ​details​ ​on​ ​how​ ​they​ ​will​ ​work​ ​with​ ​the​ ​community​ ​to​ ​integrate​ ​local​ ​hire​ ​requirements
into​ ​their​ ​construction​ ​process.
8.​ ​Incorporate​ ​and​ ​Require​ ​Anti-Displacement​ ​Strategies
If​ ​policies​ ​are​ ​in​ ​place​ ​and​ ​there’s​ ​a​ ​planning​ ​process​ ​that​ ​works​ ​and​ ​that​ ​communities​ ​areinvolved​ ​in
Addressing/discussing​ ​role​ ​of​ ​greenspace​ ​in​ ​displacement
Acknowledge​ ​and​ ​discuss
Funding​ ​threshold​ ​–​ ​that​ ​kicks​ ​in​ ​requirements​ ​around​ ​greater​ ​community​ ​displacement
planning​ ​effort
Displacement​ ​language​ ​from​ ​TCC
Develop​ ​grant​ ​guidelines​ ​that:
2. analyze​ ​the​ ​benefits​ ​and​ ​burdens​ ​on​ ​all​ ​people
a. numeric​ ​disparities​ ​based​ ​on​ ​race,​ ​color,​ ​national​ ​origin,​ ​income,​ ​&​ ​wealthb. statistical​ ​studies​ ​and​ ​anecdotal​ ​evidencec. Who​ ​benefits?​ ​who​ ​gets​ ​left​ ​behind?
d. Define​ ​standards​ ​for​ ​progress,​ ​midcourse​ ​corrections,​ ​and​ ​accountability​ ​2.​ ​include​ ​people​ ​of​ ​color​ ​and​ ​low-income​ ​people​ ​in​ ​every​ ​step
9.​ ​Plan​ ​for​ ​Ongoing​ ​and​ ​Deep​ ​community-based​ ​Planning​ ​and​ ​Program​ ​Evaluation
The​ ​needs​ ​assessment​ ​was​ ​an​ ​important​ ​tool​ ​to​ ​help​ ​determine​ ​the​ ​areas​ ​of​ ​greatest​ ​park​ ​needin​ ​the​ ​county​ ​and​ ​there​ ​is​ ​still​ ​more​ ​work​ ​to​ ​develop​ ​more​ ​and​ ​deeper​ ​deeper​ ​community
planning​ ​initiatives.​ ​We​ ​recommend​ ​that​ ​the​ ​RPOSD​ ​create​ ​a​ ​Technical​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee​ ​ofboth​ ​RPOSD,​ ​County​ ​Office​ ​of​ ​Sustainability,​ ​Public​ ​Health​ ​and​ ​NGO​ ​experts​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​set
numeric​ ​equity​ ​based​ ​goals​ ​for​ ​local​ ​parks,​ ​beaches,​ ​open​ ​space,​ ​and​ ​water​ ​resources​.​ ​The
TAC​ ​would​ ​also​ ​provide​ ​input​ ​during​ ​the​ ​updates​ ​of​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​assessment.​ A​ nd​ ​goals​ ​forefficiency,​ ​conservation,​ ​and​ ​sustainability​ ​programs​ ​to​ ​decrease​ ​utilization​ ​and​ ​maximize​ ​theefficient​ ​use​ ​of​ ​parks,​ ​open​ ​space​ ​and​ ​natural​ ​resources.
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10.​ ​Transparency​ ​and​ ​Direct​ ​Communication​ ​for​ ​Process​ ​and​ ​Evaluation
That​ ​which​ ​gets​ ​measured​ ​gets​ ​done.​ ​Once​ ​the​ ​a​ ​TAC​ ​has​ ​is​ ​established​ ​equity​ ​based​ ​numericgoals​ ​for​ ​local​ ​parks,​ ​beaches,​ ​open​ ​space,​ ​and​ ​water​ ​resources​,​ ​RPOSD​ ​should​ ​create.
Establish​ ​a​ ​report​ ​card​ ​to​ ​communicate​ ​clearly​ ​to​ ​the​ ​public​ ​how​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​Funds​ ​are​ ​being
spent.​ ​The​ ​report​ ​card​ ​should​ ​include​​ ​an​ ​equitable​ ​development​ ​monitoring​ ​program​ ​to​ ​reporton​ ​community​ ​wellbeing​ ​and​ ​displacement​ ​risk​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​tracking​ ​progress​ ​in​ ​community
investments​.
The​ ​report​ ​card​ ​should​ ​be​ ​based​ ​on​ ​an​ ​annual​ ​evaluation​ ​and​ ​used​ ​as​ ​an​ ​adaptive
management​ ​tool​ ​to​ ​adjust​ ​the​ ​competitive​ ​programs​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​goals​ ​are​ ​being​ ​met​ ​across​ ​theregion.
Evaluation​ ​is​ ​an​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​do​ ​the​ ​following:
●
●
●
●
●
●

Evaluation​ ​of​ ​criteria/metrics​ ​–​ ​how​ ​impactful​ ​are​ ​we​ ​being
Balance​ ​types​ ​of​ ​services​ ​by​ ​service​ ​area
Where​ ​is​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​going?
Evaluate​ ​actual​ ​access​-​ ​Opportunities​ ​for​ ​applicants​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​feedback​ ​anddemonstrate​ ​needo​ ​Quality​ ​of​ ​access​ ​–​ ​even​ ​if​ ​the​ ​maps​ ​show​ ​there’s​ ​access§​ ​i.e.​ ​cemetery

Additional​ ​recommendations​ ​focused​ ​on​ ​the​ ​administration​ ​of​ ​the​ ​program​ ​include:
Technical​ ​Advisory​ ​Committee
Develop​ ​an​ ​advisory​ ​committee​ ​and​ ​provide​ ​technical​ ​assistance​ ​support​ ​and​ ​helps​ ​to​ ​monitor
the​ ​success​ ​of​ ​the​ ​program​ ​in​ ​reaching​ ​and​ ​provide​ ​opportunities​ ​to​ ​course​ ​correct​ ​if​ ​needed​ ​toensure​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​is​ ​reaching​ ​and​ ​having​ ​an​ ​impact​ ​on​ ​high​ ​need​ ​communities​ ​and​ ​that​ ​issues
associated​ ​with​ ​displacement​ ​are​ ​being​ ​addressed​ ​up-front​ ​and​ ​through​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​project
implementation​ ​process.
Including​ ​a​ ​diverse​ ​set​ ​of​ ​stakeholders​ ​with​ ​expertise​ ​in​ ​the​ ​following​ ​areas:​ ​housing,environmental​ ​justice,​ ​economic​ ​development,​ ​anti-displacement​ ​policy,​ ​ecology​ ​and​ ​biology,
botanist,​ ​climate​ ​and​ ​community​ ​engagement.
The​ ​technical​ ​advisory​ ​committee​ ​will​ ​provide​ ​citizen​ ​oversight​ ​and​ ​support​ ​that​ ​includes​ ​helpingto​ ​evaluate​ ​the​ ​impact​ ​of​ ​the​ ​funding​ ​programs​ ​and​ ​providing​ ​technical​ ​support​ ​to​ ​community
based​ ​organizations,​ ​cities​ ​and​ ​other​ ​applicants.
It​ ​is​ ​our​ ​hope​ ​that​ ​the​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​delivering​ ​projects​ ​doesn’t​ ​come​ ​at​ ​the​ ​expense​ ​of​ ​quality​ ​controlon​ ​whether​ ​those​ ​projects​ ​actually​ ​advance​ ​multi​ ​benefit​ ​goals.​ ​The​ ​guidelines​ ​must​ ​include​ ​anemphasis​ ​on​ ​planning​ ​and​ ​project​ ​development.​ ​A​ ​significant​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​support​ ​for​ ​Measure​ ​Awas​ ​premised​ ​on​ ​its​ ​progressive​ ​vision​ ​for​ ​parks/open​ ​space​ ​to​ ​assume​ ​their​ ​role​ ​as​ ​important
player​ ​in​ ​our​ ​county​ ​wide​ ​water​ ​infrastructure,​ ​while​ ​helping​ ​severely​ ​impacted​ ​communities
34

catch​ ​up​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​of​ ​park​ ​equity.​ ​Professional​ ​development​ ​of​ ​staff​ ​needs​ ​to​ ​be​ ​prioritized​ ​sothat​ ​planning​ ​and​ ​development​ ​of​ ​multi​ ​benefit​ ​projects​ ​can​ ​achieve​ ​real​ ​established​ ​outcomesand​ ​prevents​ ​the​ ​notion​ ​that​ ​innovative​ ​project​ ​delivery​ ​really​ ​just​ ​means​ ​business​ ​as​ ​usual,only​ ​faster.
Thank​ ​you​ ​again​ ​for​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​guidance​ ​on​ ​the​ ​implementation​ ​of​ ​Measure​ ​A.
We​ ​look​ ​forward​ ​to​ ​working​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Open​ ​Space​ ​District​ ​team​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​Measure​ ​A​ ​funding​ ​isdistributed​ ​in​ ​a​ ​way​ ​that​ ​considers​ ​equity,​ ​justice​ ​and​ ​environmental​ ​benefit.
Sincerely,#OurParks​ ​Coalition

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Other​ ​notes​ ​to​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​is​ ​integrated:
Local​ ​return​ ​criteria​ ​–​ ​5​ ​criteria
Toolbox​ ​for​ ​project​ ​proponent● Sustainability● Climate● Heat​ ​island● Need● Elderly● Planning​ ​department

Possible​ ​people​ ​to​ ​send​ ​the​ ​framework​ ​to​ ​for​ ​review:
Eric​ ​Strauss​ ​–​ ​Meredith
Elva​ ​Yanez​ ​–​ ​Prevention​ ​Institute
Robert​ ​Garcia​ ​–Jane​ ​Beesley​ ​Amy​ ​Lethbridge​ ​–AlfredoManuel​ ​Pastor​ ​–​ ​what​ ​are​ ​the​ ​outcomes​ ​from​ ​these​ ​projects​ ​as​ ​they​ ​move​ ​forward
Michelle​ ​Prichard
Cecilia​ ​Estolano​ ​–​ ​LAANE​ ​–​ ​Alison​ ​Mannos
Who​ ​else​ ​is​ ​missing?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1.​ ​Use​ ​equity​ ​criteria​ ​to​ ​prioritize​ ​funding​ ​and​ ​planning​ ​efforts
2.​ ​Environmental​ ​justice​ ​and​ ​overall​ ​health​ ​disparities​ ​(should​ ​also​ ​drive​ ​how​ ​funds​ ​aredistributed)36

3.​ ​Expand​ ​access​ ​and​ ​broadly​ ​define​ ​parks​ ​and​ ​open​ ​spaces
4.​ ​Fund​ ​multi-benefit​ ​and​ ​biodiverse​ ​projects​ ​and​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​reaching​ ​the​ ​most​ ​climate
vulnerable​ ​communities
5.​ ​Require​ ​robust​ ​and​ ​authentic​ ​community​ ​engagement​ ​–with​ ​an​ ​emphasis​ ​on​ ​projectsthat​ ​integrate​ ​community​ ​driven​ ​project​ ​prioritization
6.​ ​Encourage​ ​and​ ​support​ ​innovative​ ​partnerships
7.​ ​Hire​ ​local​ ​communities​ ​and​ ​youth
8.​ ​Incorporate​ ​and​ ​require​ ​anti-displacement​ ​strategies
9.​ ​Plan​ ​for​ ​ongoing​ ​and​ ​deep​ ​community-based​ ​planning​ ​and​ ​program​ ​evaluation
10.​ ​Develop​ ​transparent​ ​and​ ​direct​ ​communication​ ​structures​ ​for​ ​both​ ​the​ ​granting
process​ ​and​ ​grant​ ​program​ ​evaluation

37