LOS ANGELES, CA — September 16, 2026 — The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education unanimously approved Board Member Nick Melvoin’s resolution calling for the expansion of Community School Parks across Los Angeles and supporting Charter Amendment PRK, which would increase funding for the City’s Department of Recreation and Parks. The resolution urges the City to allocate resources to this partnership, in which LAUSD opens campus playgrounds, fields, and outdoor space as public parks on the weekends. The District provides these facilities for free, while the City provides supervision and maintenance during public hours.
“Los Angeles ranks 93rd among the nation’s 100 largest cities in park space, but we have hundreds of school campuses with playgrounds, fields, and open spaces sitting behind locked gates every weekend,” said Melvoin. “We’ve already proven this partnership works, and LAUSD is ready to dramatically expand it. Sometimes solving a big problem doesn’t mean building something new—it can be as simple as unlocking a gate.”
The resolution, co-sponsored by every Board member, comes as Los Angeles voters prepare to consider Charter Amendment PRK this November. While supporting greater funding in the City’s parks, the resolution calls for the inclusion of Community School Parks as a key part of that investment, and for the City to reduce the cost of operating individual sites so that new funding can reach as many communities as possible.
“Schools are at the heart of our communities, and we have an opportunity to make our campuses even more accessible and valuable to the neighborhoods we serve,” Superintendent Andrés E. Chait said. “Supporting community school parks means creating more places for children and families to play, connect and build community. We appreciate the City’s partnership in expanding access to safe, welcoming spaces for our students and families.”
“Community parks help more than just students; it is a place where neighborhoods that may be lacking adequate green space can come together,” said LAUSD Board President Scott M. Schmerelson. “I fully support this resolution because these parks have been very successful within their respective communities, being utilized for sports and recreation. Every neighborhood deserves sufficient green space, and the way to get there is by establishing more community parks.”
"Every child and family deserves access to safe, welcoming places to play, exercise, and spend time together, regardless of their ZIP code," said Board Vice President Dr. Rocío Rivas. "Opening more school campuses on weekends and holidays gives students and families free access to safe community spaces for recreation and play, especially in neighborhoods that lack parks and green space."
“Too many families in Board District 1 live in park-poor communities where safe, accessible green space is limited,” said Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill. “Community School Parks offer an opportunity to change that. Expanding these spaces means more opportunities for recreation, wellness, and connection for our students, families, and communities.”
“Every child deserves a safe, welcoming place to play and run, and our schools are among the most familiar and trusted spaces for our students and families,” said Board Member Karla Griego. “By keeping our schools accessible to the community, we can provide safe spaces for children while also taking meaningful steps toward addressing park equity across Los Angeles.”
"Community school parks turn our school yards into play areas and green spaces for the entire neighborhood,” said Board Member Kelly Gonez. “It’s an opportunity to serve our families and the broader community beyond the school day. By opening school grounds for broader community use, we can expand access to parks and create healthier, more connected neighborhoods."
“Every child and family deserves a safe, welcoming place to play, connect, and build community close to home,” said Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin. “Our schools are the hearts of our neighborhoods, and community school parks allow us to build on that foundation by opening more of these spaces for recreation and wellness, especially in communities that have historically had fewer opportunities for green recreational spaces. I’m proud to support this resolution to help our schools become stronger community hubs where our school communities can come together and thrive.”
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