Parks are essential to the well-being of all Californians.

Parks are unique places where children can play, people exercise, families bond, seniors socialize, youth are mentored, cultures share and celebrate their differences, and everyone can connect with nature. The California Department of Parks and Recreation sponsors this website to help advance park access for all Californians. The tools on this site show where grant funding improved park access, and where communities still need more resources to achieve the goal for everyone in California to have close-to-home parks.

Park with palm trees, many children and play equipment Woman retrieving soccer ball at edge of green soccer field in Albion Riverside Park Children smiling and playing in sprinkler at Washington Elementary Natural Park Three chlidren on climbing equipment at Bayer Park Jacaranda Park with child on exercise equipment People strolling at market stalls in the West Oakland Farm Park

How have state grants improved local parks access in California?

Find projects with the
Gallery and Map

Since 1965, a variety of funding measures administered by the Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) have created or improved over 7,500 local and regional parks across California. The Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP) is the largest state administered grant program for community park access in California. This tool shows where SPP grant projects are located.

Evaluate any location for park need and demographics.

Assess a project area with the
Community FactFinder

With the Community FactFinder, you can assess the half-mile circle around any potential project site in California to find out how many acres of parks are there now, how many people live there (including senior and youth), how many people live in poverty, what the median income is, and how many households have no vehicle access. These metrics can help local planning efforts to determine where new park access is needed.