LA Launches National Park Equity Model
By Selen Ozturk/eMS
As the national park ranking of Los Angeles plunges year after year, access to green space is at the heart of the problem.
LOS ANGELES, CA -- A 2024 Trust for Public Land report finds that among the country’s 100 most populous cities, LA ranks 88 for park access, equity, acreage, investment and amenities.
The city, which ranked 49 in 2020, owns and operates 559 park sites over 16,000 acres, including 92 miles of trails.
This drop owes mainly to plummeting funds and unequal park access, said Jon Christensen, adjunct assistant professor at UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, at a Friday, February 21 Ethnic Media Services briefing about the city’s response to its park problem.
Low-income neighborhoods have 73% less park space than high-income neighborhoods, while those of color have 66% than predominantly white neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, Proposition K, a ballot measure approved by LA voters in 1996 to deliver $25 million a year in park and recreational funding from property taxes, expires in 2026.
In November 2022, the city council put a Proposition SP on the ballot — a measure that would have delivered about $227 million in park and recreational funding annually from parcel taxes — but it failed, largely because it had no specific, detailed plan for how the funds would
by: Susan delos Santos
NATIONAL CITY, CA -- Who is KimPau you may ask? KimPau is the popular moniker for the love tandem of award winning actress, singer, TV host Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino, muliti-award winning actor, singer. These artists are busy promoting their first movie together My Love Will Make You Disappear, slated for its international release in the US and Canada on March 28. Filipino Press was recently invited in a junket interview in Los Angeles, for which we obliged to do in person instead of doing it virtually.
First, just some points of interest, Paulo is actually tall (5'11") and Kim is equally tall (5'5") and they're noticeably comfortable with each other, to the point they finish each other's sentence. Kim is bubbly as compared to Paulo's more reserved nature. Kim actually graduated from the University of the Philippines, born in Cebu City, Philippines. Paulo on the other hand was born in Baguio and studied in St Louis University, then Ateneo Manila.
Kim shared that since they
be allocated. In 2014, a similarly vague measure on the LA County level, failed; in response, the county conducted a Park Needs Assessment (PNA) to prioritize funds based on park need and access data; two years later, Measure A, a proposal based on this data, passed with voter approval.
Now, the city is conducting a landmark new PNA. “I can say confidently that this really is a best in the field nationally,”
said Christensen, a consultant on the project led by the landscape architecture firm OLIN. “I’ve studied PNAs and funding measures across the country, and this will be an example for other cities nationwide.”
After a news outreach period that launched last week, the city will collect and compile data citywide — including heat island severity, tree canopy cover, pollution burden, unemployment, housing burden, population density, safety, nearest-
park distance and amenities like sport courts — into a PNA draft that will be published online by September and finalized by the end of the year.
Throughout this year, Olin will also host over 82 community engagement events citywide, ranging in multiple languages “from traditional meetings, community-based organizations, statistically valid survey-taking, tribal outreach, all kinds,” explained Christensen. “For a funding measure supported by voters, we really want a
community-driven plan.”
“In contrast to the conversation that we’re seeing at the federal level now, where these two phrases — equity and climate resiliency — are being struck from many agendas,” he continued, “Los Angeles is continuing to prioritize our investments where they’re most needed.”
Surveys, community meeting details and PNA updates are also available in 11 languages online.
“Not every neighborhood is the
same or needs the same thing, so we’ll be working closely with council districts and neighborhood councils this year to understand these unique needs … including what areas of the city need to be prioritized for new or expanded parks,” said Jessica Henson, a landscape architect and planner at OLIN leading the project.
The city has not yet determined the ballot initiative method for these park updates, but OLIN is considering a city council-proposed measure, a citizen-proposed petition campaign and funding plans through philanthropic foundations partnered with local parks.
“We’re going to be looking at the lived reality of the local geographies of Angelenos,” Henson added — “how they’re part of our day-to-day living, and change our quality of life significantly.”
A 2023 peer-reviewed UCLA study found that bringing green space in LA County to median levels could add up to 908,800 years of collective life expectancy to residents in underresourced communities.
“Parks are not a luxury, but essential infrastructure protecting public health, by providing opportunities for physical activity, time in nature, social connections and rest while filtering air, removing pollution, buffering noise, cooling temperature, even replenishing ground water,” said Francisco Romero, program manager at the Prevention Institute.
“With the recent devastating fires
worked on various projects like Linlang, the hit series entitled What is Wrong with Secretary Kim prior to doing their first movie My Love Will Make You Disappear, their chemistry is instrumental to their string of successful projects. What
What Kim finds challenging in doing the movie My Love will Make You Disapper is the "Rain Effect" while shooting . You will understand it when you see this exciting movie that
TEMECULA, CA - Pechanga Resort Casino is proud to present an extraordinary evening of classic Original Pilipino Music (OPM) featuring some of the most iconic artists in the genre's history. On April 11, at 8PM, the Pechanga Theater will host the Hit Society US Tour: a once-in-a-lifetime concert event starring Nonoy Zuñiga, Hajji Alejandro, Marco Sison, Rey Valera, and APO Hiking Society's Boboy Garrovillo and Jim Paredes.
These legendary performers have helped define OPM since the 1970s and 80s, creating timeless hits that remain beloved by Filipinos worldwide. Their unforgettable songs serve as cherished soundtracks for generations, making this a truly special opportunity for fans to see them together on one stage.
With his smooth vocals and romantic lyrics, balladeer Nonoy Zuniga captivated audiences and cemented his status as an OPM icon. His songs, including "Kumusta Ka," "Magandang Gabi," and "Never
Ever Say Goodbye," continue to resonate with fans.
Hajji Alejandro, affectionately known as the "Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala" (College Girls' Heartthrob), gained popularity for his catchy songs and undeniable charm. Hits like "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika," "Nakapagtataka," and "Panakip Butas" have become karaoke staples. Dubbed the "Romantic Balladeer" for his powerful voice and emotive performances, Marco Sison serenaded fans with classics such as "My Love Will See You
Through," "Si Aida, Si Lorna, O Si Fe," and "Make Believe." As a prolific singer-songwriter, Rey Valera is renowned for his soulful, folk-influenced love songs. His enduring contributions to OPM include "Maging Sino Ka Man," "Malayo Pa Ang Umaga," and "Kung Kailangan Mo Ako." Bringing their signature humor, socially relevant lyrics, and memorable hits to the Pechanga stage are Boboy Garrovillo and Jim Paredes, two members of the
Top photo shows (third and fourth from left) Paulo Avelino and Kim Chiu, award winning actor and actress who are making rounds of interviews and personal appearances to promote their upcoming movie My Love Will Make You Disappear, opens in US and Canada on March 28. Others in photo are Zen, Susan delos Santos and John from Filipino Press.
Pechanga Theater will host the Hit Society US Tour: a once-in-a-lifetime concert event starring Nonoy Zuñiga, Hajji Alejandro, Marco Sison, Rey Valera, and APO Hiking Society's Boboy Garrovillo and Jim Paredes.
