Measure PRK: LA City Recreation and Parks Budget

What it does

Amends the Los Angeles City Charter to double the minimum General Fund budget for the Department of Recreation and Parks over the next 10 years, from 0.0325% to 0.065% of the assessed value of all taxable property in the city.

Funding schedule

The minimum allocation would phase in as follows:

• Fiscal Years 2026-2027 and prior: 0.0325%
• Fiscal Year 2027-2028: 0.03575%
• Fiscal Year 2028-2029: 0.039%
• Fiscal Year 2029-2030: 0.04225%
• Fiscal Year 2030-2031: 0.0455%
• Fiscal Year 2031-2032: 0.04875%
• Fiscal Year 2032-2033: 0.052%
• Fiscal Year 2033-2034: 0.05525%
• Fiscal Year 2034-2035: 0.0585%
• Fiscal Year 2035-2036: 0.06175%
• Fiscal Years 2036-2037 and thereafter: 0.065%

Fiscal impact

• Current minimum allocation: about $303 million/year
• Projected allocation by 2036-37: about $995 million/year, assuming average property value growth
• No new tax: the measure reallocates existing General Fund revenue
• Trade-off: more money for parks means less General Fund revenue available for police, fire, public works, homeless services, libraries, and other city services
• Fiscal emergency: City Council can reduce the increased portion by up to 30% during a declared emergency, but cannot drop below the current 0.0325% floor

Background

The current charter allocation has not kept pace with population growth, the expanding park system, and rising labor costs. The Proposition K: LA for Kids Program, which generated about $25 million annually for parks and recreation, expires in Fiscal Year 2026-27.

Supporters say

• LA parks rank 93rd nationally among big-city park systems
• Restores service levels, repairs facilities, and closes park equity gaps
• No tax increase
• Backfills the expiring Proposition K revenue

Opponents say

• No official opposition was filed
• General fiscal concern: locking up General Fund revenue for one department could create budget crunches for public safety, public works, and homeless services