The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education unanimously approved Board Member Nick Melvoin’s resolution on sept. 16 calling for the expansion of community school parks across Los Angeles, and supporting Charter Amendment PRK, which would increase funding for the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. The resolution urges the city to allocate resources to the partnership, in which LAUSD opens campus playgrounds, fields and outdoor space as public parks on weekends. The district provides the 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,” Melvoin said. “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 was approved as Los Angeles voters prepare to consider Charter Amendment PRK on Nov. 3. While supporting greater funding in city parks, the resolution calls for the inclusion of community school parks as a key part of the 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,” LAUSD Superintendent Andrés 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.”

For information, visit nickmelvoin.com and lasud.net.