Padilla Announces $95 Million to Improve Urban Parks for Underserved California Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced that 15 California local governments were awarded $95 million from the National Park Service (NPS) to upgrade outdoor recreation spaces in underserved communities. The funding comes from the NPS Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grants Program and will support park projects in urban neighborhoods where residents currently have few outdoor recreation opportunities.
Padilla and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) lead the bipartisan Outdoors for All Act, which would codify the popular Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program into law and make improvements to it. The program awards grants to urban and low-income communities around the country to improve outdoor recreation infrastructure, revitalize local economies, and enhance the quality of life in these neighborhoods. Padilla also leads a funding request for this critical program through the annual appropriations process.
“Everyone deserves access to outdoor parks and green spaces no matter their zip code,” said Senator Padilla. “Growing up in Los Angeles, I know firsthand that far too many urban, low-income communities like mine lack sufficient access to green parks, shady spaces, and clean air. This significant investment in California urban parks will grow more active, healthier neighborhoods while supporting climate resilience in vulnerable communities.”
“This historic federal investment is an important step forward in our mission to ensure that all Californians, no matter where they live, have access to the mental, physical and social benefits that parks provide,” said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “I thank the National Park Service for recognizing the transformational power of neighborhood parks and selecting all 15 projects for these awards. I am excited to see the difference these parks will make in creating healthier, happier communities.”
The California park projects receiving grants are:
- County of Los Angeles — Puente Hills Landfill Park: $15 million
- City of West Sacramento — Bryte Park: $15 million
- City of Bakersfield — Martin Luther King Jr. Park: $11.9 million
- Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles — Jordan Downs Central Park: $11 million
- City of Stockton — Van Buskirk Revitalization Park: $7 million
- City of Oxnard — Campus Park: $6.7 million
- City of Anaheim — La Palma Park: $6 million
- City of Glendale — Central Park: $5.95 million
- City of San Jose — Spartan-Keyes Park: $4.5 million
- City of Redding — Panorama Park: $4 million
- City of Beaumont — Stewart Park: $3.1 million
- City of Baldwin Park — Roadside Park: $2.1 million
- City of Adelanto — Bellflower Park: $1 million
- City of La Puente — Veterans Memorial Park: $1 million
- City of Menifee — Quail Valley Nature Park: $750,000
The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership is an NPS grant program established in 2014 and funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The program funds the acquisition and development of new parks or substantial renovation of parks in disadvantaged communities. This is the seventh round of grants for the program, with the NPS awarding approximately $254.7 million to 54 projects in 24 states this cycle, with a maximum of $15 million per project.
NPS awarded funding to every California project submitted for consideration. This round of funding marks the most grants and the largest total amount the state has received in program history.
Last year, Senator Padilla and the late Senator Dianne Feinstein announced that California was awarded over $102 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service to combat extreme heat and climate change, plant and maintain trees, and create urban green spaces. Padilla’s Outdoors for All Act advanced out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last year as part of the bipartisan America’s Outdoor Recreation Act.
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