Parks play an essential role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in our communities. They offer recreational opportunities, improve mental and physical health, advance sustainability, and foster social cohesion. Yet, despite these significant benefits, parks often face critical challenges when it comes to funding for their ongoing operations and maintenance. While grants and funding programs are available for the development of new parks, there is a notable lack of sustained support for the day-to-day upkeep and long-term care of these spaces. To ensure that parks remain safe, accessible and beneficial to all, it is imperative that ongoing and additional funding be allocated for their operation and maintenance.
Vital Role of Parks in Communities
Parks provide a range of physical, mental, social and environmental benefits. They serve as gathering spaces for individuals and families, offering places to exercise, play and connect with nature. Numerous studies have shown that access to green spaces improves public health by reducing stress, encouraging physical activity and promoting social interaction. Parks also play a critical role in environmental sustainability by helping to reduce the heat island effect, improve air and water quality, and support biodiversity.
Beyond these direct benefits, parks contribute to economic vitality. Well-maintained parks can enhance property values in surrounding areas, attract tourism and spur local businesses. Parks are also central to equity efforts, especially in underserved communities, where they provide free or low-cost opportunities for recreation and social connection. However, for parks to continue delivering these wide-ranging benefits, they must be well-maintained and properly operated. Unfortunately, this is often where funding falls short.
Funding Gap for Operations and Maintenance
Few funding sources prioritize or allocate resources for the ongoing costs of maintaining and operating parks. Grants from federal, state and local governments, as well as private foundations, frequently focus on the creation of new parks, seemingly viewing the establishment of green spaces as one-time projects. These grants may cover the costs of planning, construction and initial landscaping, but they rarely extend to long-term care.
The reality, however, is that parks require consistent upkeep to remain functional and attractive. Routine maintenance such as landscaping, trash removal, repairs and staffing can strain municipal budgets. Without adequate funding, parks can fall into disrepair, becoming unsafe or unwelcoming. Poorly maintained parks can also diminish the public’s perception of safety and deter community members from using these spaces.
This funding gap often leads to a cycle in which parks are built and opened with great enthusiasm but fall into neglect due to the lack of resources for maintenance. Over time, this can result in more costly repairs or, in some extreme cases, the eventual closure of the park. The failure to secure ongoing funding not only wastes the initial investment in park development but also deprives communities of vital recreational and environmental resources.
Importance of Ongoing Maintenance
A park’s value is intrinsically linked to its upkeep. Without regular maintenance, the benefits that parks provide to communities begin to erode. For example, poorly maintained playgrounds or athletic fields can become hazardous, posing safety risks to children and other users. Trash buildup or vandalism can create an unappealing environment, discouraging people from visiting the park. Similarly, neglected infrastructure such as benches, restrooms and lighting can reduce accessibility and make the park less inviting, especially to vulnerable populations such as older adults or people with disabilities.
In addition to day-to-day upkeep, parks require long-term investments in infrastructure and equipment. Irrigation systems, sports facilities and playgrounds need periodic upgrades or replacements to ensure they remain functional and safe. This requires not only capital for the initial outlay but also a reliable source of funding for ongoing repairs and upgrades.
Another crucial aspect of park care is the maintenance of more natural elements such as trees (which are part of the community forest), gardens and water features. Tree pruning, pest control and erosion management are essential to maintaining the environmental health of parks and ensuring their resilience in the face of challenges like climate change. The failure to provide adequate funding for these efforts can lead to degraded ecosystems, affecting biodiversity and reducing the park’s environmental benefits.
Equity Dimension of Park Funding
In many low-income and historically underserved communities, the lack of ongoing park funding exacerbates existing inequities. These communities are often the most in need of parks, yet they are also the least likely to receive the necessary funding for operations and maintenance. Without adequate resources, parks in these areas can become neglected, further disenfranchising residents and depriving them of the benefits that parks can provide.
Ensuring equitable access to well-maintained parks requires a commitment to funding that goes beyond initial development. This is particularly important in communities of color and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, where parks can serve as critical spaces for recreation, health, and social connection. Without adequate funding for maintenance, the very communities that stand to benefit the most from parks are left with substandard or unusable facilities.
General Approaches to Addressing the Funding Gap
To address the funding gap for park operations and maintenance, local governments can explore various approaches. For example, they may create dedicated funding streams that ensure consistent financial support for ongoing care. These can include mechanisms like expanded and dedicated municipal budgets for parks, impact fees related to development, and/or targeted tax measures. Such funding sources can provide a more reliable base for maintenance and improvements, ensuring parks remain safe and accessible.
Another approach involves fostering partnerships with private entities, community-based organizations and nonprofit foundations. By working together, public and private sectors can share the responsibility of keeping parks well-maintained. Community volunteer programs can also play a role, allowing local residents to contribute to the care of the parks they enjoy, whether through financial support or hands-on efforts.
The Role of Political Will
In addressing the funding gap for the operation and maintenance of parks, the need for political will cannot be overstated. Securing sustained financial support requires more than just technical solutions or identifying potential revenue streams; it demands a strong commitment from elected officials and policymakers. Political will is essential to prioritize parks as critical infrastructure in budget decisions and policy frameworks, ensuring they receive the necessary resources over time.
Without political leadership driving the agenda, funding for parks often competes with other pressing public needs, making it difficult to secure consistent, long-term investments. The challenge is not just in allocating funds for new park developments but in recognizing the importance of ongoing care and stewardship. Political leaders must advocate for dedicated funding mechanisms, support legislation that ensures equitable access to parks, and champion policies that allocate resources for maintenance in low-income or underserved communities.
Moreover, political will is crucial for rallying public support and engaging stakeholders across sectors. When leaders articulate the value of parks — not just as recreational spaces but as essential community assets that enhance public health, environmental sustainability and social equity — this can galvanize broader efforts to secure the necessary funding. Lasting solutions to the funding gap require policymakers who understand the long-term value of well-maintained parks and are willing to push for the resources needed to care for these vital spaces.
Conclusion
Ensuring that parks remain vibrant, safe and accessible is a shared responsibility. While new parks are often celebrated, they require ongoing care and attention. Addressing the funding gap for park operations and maintenance demands political will and long-term commitment. Policymakers must prioritize parks as essential infrastructure and ensure all communities benefit from well-maintained green spaces. By closing this funding gap, we can preserve and enhance the lasting value parks bring to our communities.
Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP, is a regular park user and has over 17 years of park planning experience in Los Angeles County. He is currently a Senior Analyst with the County’s Chief Sustainability Office.