A Park Advisory Board (PAB) consists of individuals, selected by Department of Recreation and Parks staff, who are community residents, business members, and those who work or spend time in the community they are chosen to represent as volunteer board members. The mission of every PAB is to strengthen their facility’s recreation programs and services. Recreation and Parks believes that the partnership between staff and the community is of primary importance in identifying and meeting the recreational needs of the community.
PAB MEETING AGENDAS
Click here for a record of meeting agendas for various Recreation and Parks Park Advisory Boards.
PAB HANDBOOK
PAB Member Handbook (English) PAB Member Handbook (Spanish)
PAB MEMBERSHIP
Various Recreation and Parks facilities throughout the City of Los Angeles host Park Advisory Boards. To learn more about volunteering in a board, please reach out the Recreation and Parks facility you are interested in joining, to ask if they have a board with open positions. The Facility Map Locator at the top left of this webpage is a helpful tool to find parks local to you. Thank you for your interest!
PAB HISTORY
The Department of Recreation and Parks observed the need for a formal method of incorporating community input on decisions affecting communities and initiated the development of Center Service Associations or CSA’s in the 1970’s. CSA's led the way to the establishment and formalization of what we now recognize as Park Advisory Boards or PAB's since May of 1998.
Park Advisory Boards are essential to the overall operation of a recreation facility. The Department believes that the partnership between staff and the community is of primary importance in identifying and meeting the recreational needs of the community. A Park Advisory Board works to make facilities safe, clean, and hospitable while offering advice on programming and assistance in fundraising.
A Park Advisory Board member is a community stakeholder and understands the community’s needs and interests. Members work with the Department on issues involving neighborhood parks, community events, fundraising projects, existing and proposed recreation, and educational programs along with a variety of other issues important to your facility and to your community.
PAB VALUE
Today’s social, economic, and political climate demand that decisions concerning the expenditure of public resources are fair, equitable and reflective of the communities and people they impact. This is true of all essential services but especially for services that fall into this category. A Park Advisory Board provides valuable assistance in this area for the City.
A Park Advisory Board:
- Enhances Department resources and creates a positive relationship between the Department and its citizens through mutual collaboration, decision-making, and problem solving;
- Provides additional resources and talent to enhance the abilities of Department staff;
- Expands, extends, and enriches the recreation and community services programs, increase the services of the Department;
- Provides citizens with the opportunity to help their local recreation center;
- Understands the needs and desires of the residents, and conversely helps citizens develop a working knowledge and understanding of how the Department functions and operates;
- Provides an opportunity for residents to improve communication skills and knowledge and expand recreation interests;
- Increases status and prestige, and brings satisfaction to those who serve on the Park Advisory Board, that they are truly making a difference in their community.