Working to Fund Los Angeles Parks

Councilman LaBonge, developer Steve Soboroff (far left) and Councilman Garcetti speak to reporters about the need for more funding for Los Angeles City Parks.

A new coalition is lobbying to restore funding to Los Angeles' city parks. The consortium -- called ParksSave -- is made up of conservationists, community leaders, politicians and unions and is led by developer Steve Soboroff, and supported by Councilmembers Tom LaBonge and Eric Garcetti. The group held a news conference in late April on the Spring Street steps of LA City Hall to press its call for more funding for LA city parks. Councilmembers LaBonge and Garcetti signed pledges to protect parks, indicating it's time to restore services to the city's parks and it's time to look at creative collaborations with private industry and charitable organizations to help fund park programs and facilities. The City Charter mandates the Department of Recreation and Parks get 0.0325% of the assessed value of every property in Los Angeles. The Mayor's proposed 2012-2013 budget calls for some 92 vacant positions at Recreation and Parks be permanently deleted.

click here to see more photos of the event