Unprecedented in scope and scale, the Los Angeles Countywide Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment (PNA) is a comprehensive study of the diverse parks and recreation facilities throughout LA County’s cities and unincorporated communities. Prepared by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the PNA gathered data to determine the scope, scale, and location of park need in Los Angeles County. Since its completion in 2016, the PNA has been invaluable in informing planning, decision-making, and resource allocation for parks and recreation.
In 2022, DPR completed the Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+) which complements and offers new information not previously included in the 2016 PNA. Specifically, PNA+ includes data about access to regional parks, open space, trails, beaches and lakes, and local parks in rural areas, as well as mapping and analyses related to population vulnerability, environmental benefits, environmental burdens, and priority areas for environmental conservation, environmental restoration, regional recreation, and rural recreation.
Building on the 2016 Parks Needs Assessment (PNA) and the expanded data and analysis of the 2022 PNA+, the 2025 PNA+ Implementation Plan focuses on the highest need areas within the County, identifying 6 goals to guide efforts, 56 priority projects and 7 policy changes to make planning and funding more equitable. Developed with a coalition of community-based organizations, the PNA+ Implementation Plan equips community advocates, policymakers, and funders with practical tools to help direct resources to the communities with the greatest need; align park investments with broader goals in public health, housing stability, environmental conservation, and climate justice; and coordinate efforts across jurisdictions, agencies, and sectors for greater impact.
