Pictured: Cover image of OurCounty, the Los Angeles County Sustainability Plan, featuring children playing on a splash pad. Photo credit: County of Los Angeles.

Parks are vital to the sustainability and resilience of all communities. They serve as the green lungs of cities, providing essential ecosystem services, enhancing public health, and fostering social cohesion. As regions grapple with the impacts of climate change, the need for decarbonization, just transition and health disparities, parks are critical infrastructure that help to address such challenges by advancing environmental, economic and social sustainability.

Environmental Sustainability

Parks contribute significantly to environmental sustainability by preserving biodiversity, reducing heat islands, and managing stormwater. Green spaces act as havens for flora and fauna, supporting biodiversity. Trees and vegetation within parks sequester carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. Additionally, parks provide shade and cool environments, countering the heat island effect, which is exacerbated by concrete and asphalt surfaces that dominate many developed areas.

Water management is another critical environmental function of parks. Green spaces absorb rainwater, reducing runoff and preventing flooding. They also filter pollutants, improving water quality before it enters local waterways. The preservation and creation of parks are therefore essential for maintaining ecological balance and promoting sustainability in diverse environments.

Economic Sustainability

Parks also play a crucial role in economic sustainability. They attract businesses, create job training and employment opportunities, and boost tourism. Regular and special events, sports leagues, and festivals held in parks generate economic benefits, such as providing revenue or income for local businesses and creating both short and long-term jobs. Parks contribute to the local economy by attracting visitors and supporting a variety of recreational activities.

The economic benefits of parks extend beyond direct financial impacts. By providing spaces for physical activity and relaxation, parks contribute to the health and well-being of residents, reducing healthcare and related costs. The mental health benefits of spending time in nature are well-documented, with parks offering accessible spaces for stress relief and social interaction, which are essential for a healthy, productive society.

Social Sustainability

Social sustainability is another critical dimension supported by parks. They are inclusive spaces where people from all walks of life can gather, interact, and build a sense of community. Parks offer opportunities for recreation, education, and cultural expression, making them essential for social cohesion.

In many areas, where social inequalities are often stark, parks offer much-needed access to nature, recreational opportunities, and respite. They are public spaces that belong to everyone, regardless of income, race, or background. This inclusivity is crucial for fostering social equity and reducing the disparities that exist.

Parks also support educational initiatives by serving as outdoor classrooms where people of all ages can learn about nature, sustainability, and conservation. Programs offered in parks can teach skills such as environmental stewardship, gardening, and wildlife identification, empowering individuals, including youth, to contribute to a more sustainable future. 

Parks and Open Space in the Los Angeles OurCounty Plan

To better understand how parks are essential to and integrated into planning for sustainability, let’s look at the example of Los Angeles County.  The L.A. County Sustainability Plan, OurCounty, is a comprehensive framework and aspirational plan aimed at achieving a sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for the region. Parks and open space are key components of this Plan which contains the following goals focused specifically on these crucial topics:

• Goal 5: Thriving ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity.
• Goal 6: Accessible parks, beaches, recreational waters, public lands, and public spaces that create opportunities for respite, recreation, ecological discovery, and cultural activities.

The OurCounty Plan recognizes parks and open space for their role in enhancing environmental quality, supporting public health, and promoting social equity, as explained below:

• Parks as Green Infrastructure
  The OurCounty Plan emphasizes the importance of parks as green infrastructure that provides critical ecosystem services. In alignment with L.A. County’s Parks Needs Assessments, the plan calls for the creation and expansion of green spaces, particularly in underserved communities that lack access to parks and open spaces (see this page, which shows how the Countywide Parks Needs Assessment is integrated into the plan). By increasing the number, size, and variety of parks, L.A. County aims to improve air and water quality, reduce heat islands, and enhance biodiversity across the region.
  
  One of the plan's strategies is to ensure that there are parks within a half-mile distance (10-minute walk) of all residents. This aligns with the broader aim of advancing park equity and environmental justice, as it addresses the inequitable distribution of parks that especially impacts low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. By prioritizing park development in these areas, the County seeks to reduce environmental disparities and promote healthier, more sustainable neighborhoods.

• Parks and Public Health
  The connection between parks and public health is undeniable, with parks increasingly being considered valuable, cost-effective public health resources that can improve mental, physical, and environmental outcomes for communities. The OurCounty Plan acknowledges that access to parks and green spaces is essential for community well-being. Regular use of parks encourages physical activity, which can help combat the obesity epidemic and reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
  
  The OurCounty Plan also recognizes the mental health benefits of parks and open space, noting that green spaces provide respite from the stresses of daily life. By creating more parks and improving existing ones, L.A. County aims to enhance the quality of life for all residents. The plan also supports the development of community gardens and provision of farmer’s markets, which can provide fresh, healthy food to local communities and promote food security.

• Parks and Social Equity
  Social equity is a guiding principle of the OurCounty Plan and parks are essential for achieving this goal. The plan calls for the equitable distribution of parks and green spaces, with a focus on addressing the historical lack of investment in certain communities. By creating more parks in these areas through the implementation of Community Parks and Recreation Plans and other efforts, L.A. County aims to provide residents with opportunities to experience and enjoy the benefits of nature and outdoor recreation.
  
  The OurCounty Plan also supports community involvement and participation in sustainability efforts. By engaging local residents, including children, and community-based organizations in park planning, design, and development processes, the County seeks to ensure that parks meet the needs and preferences of communities. This participatory approach is crucial for building trust and fostering a sense of ownership among residents.

Conclusion

Parks are indispensable to the sustainability of all communities, offering environmental, economic, social, and other benefits that are critical for the well-being of both people and the planet. The OurCounty Plan recognizes the vital role that parks play in creating a sustainable future. By supporting the creation and expansion of green spaces, the plan demonstrates L.A. County’s commitment to building a more resilient and inclusive county. As regions strive to achieve sustainability, the integration of parks and open space into planning and policy will continue to be essential for creating livable, thriving communities.

Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP, is a Senior Analyst with the Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office. He was previously a Departmental Facilities Planner with the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation.