ONE BIG THING: PARKS 🛝🌳
What Happened?
Every year, the Trust for Public Land ranks the park systems in the 100 largest cities in America, looking at things like access, acreage, amenities, equity, and more.
In 2020, LA ranked 49th out of the 100 largest cities. This year, we ranked 93rd.
Why Such a Dramatic Fall?
According to the City’s 2025 Park Needs Assessment, Los Angeles’ park funding has not kept pace with inflation or the growth of our park system. Our parks have more acreage and facilities to maintain, but our workforce has shrunk, with full-time staffing down 28% since 2008.
While other cities used the pandemic as a time to improve or overhaul their parks system, LA didn’t.
The result is visible across the city: aging infrastructure and parks that don’t have the staffing or resources they need to stay clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone.
Why it Matters
Parks are obviously universally beloved, but they’re also essential public infrastructure that separate good cities from great ones. They give kids a place to play after school, families a place to spend time together outside of the home, and neighbors a place to gather and build community.
When we invest in our parks, we improve the quality of life of every Angeleno.
What’s Next?
In District 13, we’ve spent the past few years turning the tide by making park improvements, and opening new accessible playgrounds with state of the art equipment at:
- Chevy Chase Rec Center
- Juntos Park
- Madison West Park
- Unidad Park
- Glenhurst Park
- Elysian Valley Gateway Park
We’re also activating the smaller “pocket parks” that have been neglected by the city.
We’re working to transform Dorothy and Benjamin Smith Park in Hollywood into a dog park, bringing Latin Dance and Zumba classes to Seily Rodriguez Park, partnering with the community to activate Selma Park in Hollywood, and planning future improvements at La Mirada Park, Lexington Park, and more.
Meanwhile, the bigger issue is that our parks system is underfunded. The City’s Parks Needs Assessment estimates that we need $558 million a year to properly fund staffing and operations, compared with a current budget of about $350 million.
This year, the City Council voted to place a measure on the November ballot that would gradually increase the City’s minimum funding for Recreation and Parks over the next 10 years. The measure would ultimately double parks funding over the next decade.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more updates about funding and renovations across the district!
Three More Quick Hits!
- Honoring 40 Years of Impact with Being Alive
Yesterday at City Council, we were honored to recognize the 40th Anniversary of Being Alive, an organization dedicated to eliminating stigma and barriers to care for people living with HIV.
Founded in 1986 by people living with HIV and AIDS, Being Alive has spent four decades showing up for our community and providing lifesaving care, including comprehensive emotional support, treatment education, prevention, advocacy, wellness, and social services.
Through 40 years of change, Being Alive has continued to fight stigma, help people living with HIV, and save lives — often without the recognition these unsung heroes deserve.
To learn more about Being Alive and to get help or support their work, visit beingalivela.org.
- 🎬 New Central American Voices Film Festival Coming for Free to CD13
Central American cinema is coming to CD13!
The inaugural Central American Voices Film Festival is happening September 12–13 at Barnsdall Art Park — with 33 films from across Central America and the global diaspora, plus panels, Q&As, performances, and more.
At a time when ICE raids are tearing families and communities apart, cultural spaces that bring us together are more important than ever. This festival is a chance to celebrate Central American stories, culture, and the strength, resilience, and contributions of the people who make our city stronger.
And the best part? It’s FREE and open to the public.
🎟️ RSVP here to reserve your spot!
- New Exhibits at The Getty
Two new photography exhibitions about Mexican history in Los Angeles are on display through January 3, 2027.
Instante/revelaciĂłn: Moments in Mexican Photography explores a century of Mexican creativity through the work of 13 major photographers.
Every Minute Is History: Five Views of Los Angeles highlights five photographers who transformed how Chicano/a communities and life in Los Angeles were represented.
Check out these exhibits & more for free ahead of The Getty’s closure for renovations next March.
CD13 Pet of the Week
Meet Chai, our pet of the week!
The side-eye game is strong with Chai! đź‘€
This sweet boy is not your average German Shepherd mix, he’s got the attitude of a husky and fierceness of a chihuahua – we know this diva!
If you are interested in adopting this cutie, visit him at North Central today!
