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As the new year unfolds, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) wishes you plenty of opportunities to explore and enjoy our parks and open spaces in the forthcoming months. We kicked off the year with the implementation of the 2024 edition of the Measure A Grants Administration Manual (GAM). The revisions and enhancements made to the application and administration of Measure A grant funds aim to streamline processes. We trust that these changes will ease the processes for our grantees, allowing them to focus more on their impactful park projects that contribute to the health and vibrancy of our communities in the County. For a summary of the GAM changes, please visit:
Prior to the implementation of the updated GAM, RPOSD conducted a workshop to provide an overview of the new process to apply for Measure A Annual Allocation grants and to discuss the changes to the claims submission process. If you were unable to attend or would like a refresher, the recording of the workshop is available here:
At the end of 2023, RPOSD took a moment to reflect and published a Year in Review. It encapsulated our collection of direct assessments, allocations, key milestones, accomplishments, and highlights in the past year. If you have not had the opportunity to delve into it yet, you can read it here:
RPOSD has numerous developments on the horizon in 2024. Our focus remains steadfast on upgrading our Grants Management System (GMS). In 2023, we contracted with a consulting firm to assist us in the review of requirements and development of the Statement of Work for inclusion in a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) to modernize the GMS. RPOSD is in the process of issuing the RFP in the upcoming months.
Finally, RPOSD anticipates opening another round of Acquisition-Only competitive grants towards the end of this year. Stay tuned for more details.
Here’s to another year of collaborative efforts in creating lasting impact, cultivating sustainable landscapes, and promoting recreational fun that brings communities together.
In 2023, a total of eight TAP Eligible Entities received Notices to Proceed, the green light from RPOSD to hire consultants to conduct pre-acquisition services utilizing allocated TAP funds. The City of La Puente is the eighth city to initiate a project to expand park acreage. La Puente plans to create a memorial park dedicated to veterans, and they are utilizing TAP funds for the park’s design, environmental surveys, construction, civil planning, and project management.
Additionally, the TAP team has assessed six more TAP-eligible projects, and they envision these projects commencing in the forthcoming months.
Link into TAP Lunch Series
 TAP hosted its third virtual lunch information series, "Link into TAP" (formerly known as the TAP Brown Bag Lunch Series). The session centered on contaminated soil and featured Mark Glassock, manager of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation Capital Projects Group. Mr. Glassock delivered a comprehensive overview on developing projects situated on contaminated land. He delved into the historical perspective behind land contamination in Los Angeles County, outlined the components of Phase 1 and Phase 2 surveys and their implications, shared a step-by-step project management process, and provided resources for securing funding for projects on contaminated land. We thank Mr. Glassock for generously sharing his expertise in this field.
The TAP team looks forward to sharing more TAP updates in the future.
Nogales Park Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
 Photo of the new playground at Nogales Park by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.
The southeast Los Angeles community of Walnut Park has a brand new $9.4 million pocket park! As one of the most densely populated and critically park-lacking areas of Los Angeles County, Walnut Park previously only had a 3.6-acre green space that also serves as the elementary school’s playground. In 2019, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously endorsed converting an abandoned corner lot at 2603-2611 Grand Avenue and 2614 Hope Street into the first dedicated park space for the community.
 Photo from Google Maps of the site before the development of a pocket park.
The revitalization of the lot into a 0.5-acre park was funded through a combination of funding sources, including Proposition 1, Proposition 68, Proposition A, and Measure A. Proposition A and Measure A grants funded different components of the park development. Three hundred thousand Proposition A dollars were utilized for the park’s environmental feasibility study, community engagement planning, site survey, site security elements, design, and development. Furthermore, $303K Measure A Annual Allocation funds were used to complete the utilities and flatwork related to the construction of the new park.
RPOSD attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 9, 2023, and it was incredible to see the once dilapidated site now boasting an array of amenities to serve the community’s needs: a playground, splash pad, lawn area, exercise equipment, restrooms, and an underground stormwater capture system. This system covers a 27-acre drainage area that will prevent bacteria and metal pollutants from entering the Los Angeles River.
Congrats to the residents of Walnut Park on this wonderful addition to your community!
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