Healthy Parks and the Interface between State and Local Policy Change

In 2006, a $400 million bond was enacted in California to improve access to parks and recreational facilities in urban areas. In 2008, the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Act was passed. This act allowed funding for green spaces to be prioritized for communities identified as critically underserved and also offered technical assistance to all potential applicants. This provision addressed several key barriers to applying for this funding, including smaller populations, fewer staff to work on grant funding and new projects, and lower average income. As a result of this provision, $400 million was invested in 127 new parks in neighborhoods that previously had insufficient or no park land.

The goal of the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Act is to ensure that funding for new parks and green spaces is prioritized for critically underserved and disadvantaged urban communities.

Since this act, $400 million was invested in 127 new parks in neighborhoods that had insufficient or no park land in California urban areas.