Equity-Centered Planning Is About More Than Just Metrics — May Bonus Episode

The May issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and
on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’re diving deeper into
one of this month’s feature stories, “From Plans to Parks.” In
this article, Clement Lau details how the Los Angeles County
Department of Parks and Recreation is implementing equity-focused
park and recreation plans to ensure that communities with the
highest need for parks are prioritized.


Clement Lau, AICP, is a departmental facilities planner for the
Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and a
wealth of knowledge when it comes to park planning. He’s worked
in the field for over two decades, and regularly contributes his
expertise to Parks & Recreation magazine and the Open Space
blog, so we’re excited to finally welcome him to the podcast to
talk about how keeping equity at the center of park planning will
ensure park and recreation professionals are able to serve every
member of their community.


Tune in below to learn about what sparked Clement’s passion for
planning and why he wanted to pursue a career in the field, as
well as:


How the Los Angeles County DPR creates plans with equity and
implementation in mind, ensuring that the plans prioritize
communities with the greatest need.

How the Los Angeles Countywide Parks and Recreation Needs
Assessment’s 2016 findings were so compelling that the county
board of supervisors decided to put a parks funding measure on
the ballot, which passed with overwhelming support.

How strategic community partnerships have helped Los Angeles
County DPR’s efforts to address the needs of six communities with
the highest need for parks in Los Angeles County.

How Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park is “an oasis in a region
lacking green space.”

Why the stories and experiences that take place in our parks
and community spaces are more important than always focusing on
data and metrics, and more!