ParkGrade.LA
Independent civic reporting on Los Angeles parks, public facilities, and infrastructure — tracking park conditions, maintenance accountability, and equity across the city.
The ParkGrade Report Card Program
In September 2017, Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin commissioned the first independent, comprehensive evaluation of LA community parks — grading 40 of the city's 95 designated parks on facilities, cleanliness, safety, and restroom conditions using an independent team from KH Consulting Group, USC, and the RAND Corporation. The results, combined with a community survey of more than 3,700 park users, revealed significant disparities in park quality across the city: Westside parks consistently outperformed those in underserved neighborhoods, restrooms received a citywide C grade, and 16 parks earned D or F grades specifically for their bathrooms. ParkGrade.LA makes this data accessible as a living civic resource — tracking the state of LA's public parks, infrastructure, and maintenance accountability over time.
Featured Reports
In-depth analysis of Los Angeles park infrastructure, facility conditions, and maintenance across the city.
Bathroom & Restroom Conditions
Restrooms received a C grade citywide — with 16 parks earning D or F. An in-depth look at what went wrong and why.
Read the analysis →Water Access & Infrastructure
From drinking fountains to aging supply lines: how water infrastructure shapes park quality across Los Angeles.
Explore water infrastructure →Park Maintenance Standards
Grades for 40 LA community parks across eight categories — from athletic fields to customer service.
View report cards →Plumbing Infrastructure in LA Parks
The full story of deferred maintenance, aging pipe systems, and the path to long-term improvement.
Read full report →Recent Updates
New Report: Water Access & Infrastructure in LA Parks
A comprehensive analysis of water supply systems, aging pipe infrastructure, and drinking fountain access across the Los Angeles parks system.
Restroom Plumbing Infrastructure: Updated Analysis
Updated coverage of the plumbing and infrastructure challenges behind LA parks' persistent restroom failures — including the most problematic parks.
Sun Valley Park: F Grade Restrooms in Context
Sun Valley Park received one of the lowest restroom scores citywide. A closer look at what that means for San Fernando Valley residents who depend on this facility.
Geographic Disparities in LA Park Quality
Westside parks consistently outperformed Eastside and downtown parks in the report card evaluation. The data behind the disparity — and what it means for park equity.
About ParkGrade.LA
ParkGrade.LA is an independent civic resource dedicated to transparent, data-driven reporting on Los Angeles public parks, recreation facilities, and infrastructure. Our work draws on the official 2017 LA parks report card evaluation and aims to make park condition data accessible to all Angelenos.
Learn About This Project