Metro - File #: 2016-0693

• File #: 2016-0693
• Type: Motion / Motion Response
• Status: Filed
• File created: 8/23/2016
• In control: Planning and Programming Committee
• On agenda: 10/19/2016
• Final action: 10/19/2016
• Title: RECEIVE AND FILE status report on Transit to Open Space and Parks Motion response.
• Sponsors: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
• Indexes: Accessibility, Air quality, Board approved a Motion, Budgeting, Call For Projects, Duarte, Environmental justice, Funding plan, Long range planning, Long Range Transportation Plan, Motion / Motion Response, Procurement, Project, Proposition A, Proposition C, Regional Surface Transportation Program, San Gabriel, Southern California Association Of Governments, Strategic planning, Sustainable Transportation Demonstration Projects (Project)

Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 19, 2016

Subject/Action
SUBJECT: TRANSIT TO OPEN SPACE AND PARKS MOTION RESPONSE
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT RESPONDING TO BOARD MOTION ON OPEN SPACE AND PARKS

Heading
RECOMMENDATION

Title
RECEIVE AND FILE status report on Transit to Open Space and Parks Motion response.
...Issue
ISSUE
On June 23, 2016, the Metro Board of Directors approved a motion (Attachment B) directing an action plan to better connect communities to open space and parks. The motion required a report back to the Board on the October 2016 agenda.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
This report details a preliminary review of park access issues and describes a work plan for addressing those issues. In summary, Metro staff will initiate a strategic planning process to achieve the following objectives:
* Analyze park access needs across the county with a focus on disadvantaged park-poor communities. Review and evaluate prior efforts by Metro and other transit agencies to improve open space access;
* Guide decision making on future projects and investments;
* Engage potential partners and other stakeholders; and
* Recommend potential Metro and partner activities to improve access to parks and open space.
As noted in the Board Motion, Los Angeles County has a wealth of open space and recreational assets. Often, however, those assets are out of reach for many county residents, particularly for lower income disadvantaged communities. Access barriers include physical distance, lack of transportation options for non-auto owners, as well as periodic heavy traffic and constrained parking especially for popular destinations at peak times. At the same time, lower income and disadvantaged communities would benefit most from improved access, especially in places that have inadequate opportunities for local recreation and physical activity, and that suffer from poor air quality, or other conditions that lead to poor health outcomes. A 2016 study by...