1. Let’s Move L.A.!
Increasing Physical Activity by Improving Park Access
By: Sara Abdelhalim & Lyndsey Nolan
BACKGROUND
Physical Inactivity: Causes & Consequences
Obesity is significantly associated with increased risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease,
diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, and depression. Physical inactivity has largely contributed to 1
increasing rates of obesity and is similarly a risk factor for chronic disease. Physical activity is greatly 2
influenced by aspects of the built environment. The built environment includes the spaces in which we
live and work, such as homes, buildings, streets, infrastructure, and parks. Increasing access to parks
and recreation facilities can improve physical activity levels. One study found that park use and
exercise levels are predicted by residential proximity to parks. The study also found that males who use
parks are twice as likely to be vigorously active. 3
Los Angeles is the most park­poor major city in the nation. Only 30 percent
of Los Angeles residents live within one quarter­mile of a park, and only 14
percent of land is devoted to public greenery primarily located on the
mountains or in wealthy neighborhoods. Currently, many parks, playgrounds,
and other outdoor recreation facilities are remote, unsafe, inaccessible, and
poorly maintained. The number and location of parks is insufficient to serve
Los Angeles residents. 4
Park Policy Context: The Quimby Act and Ordinance
The California Quimby Act is a state law that gives cities the authority to require developers to dedicate
parkland or pay in­lieu fees for the approval of new residential projects. Adopted in 1965 during a 5
period of rapid suburbanization, this law was meant to preserve open space for growing communities
on urban fringes. As middle­income families moved to the suburbs, low­income families remained in
inner cities. Declining tax revenues led to cuts in park spending and created park poor communities. 6
While the state law has its own provisions, cities and counties are free to adopt their own ordinance and
administer it in their own way. The Los Angeles Quimby Ordinance was adopted in 1971, and the
City’s administration of it complicates the problem even further. The Department of City Planning
reviews development maps and prepares Quimby fees based on the density of the proposed
development. The Department of Recreation and Parks, meanwhile, collects the fees, decides how to
1
Malnick SD, Knobler H. (2006) The medical complications of obesity. QJM. 99(9): 565­579.
2
J. LarryDurstine ­ Benjamin Gordon ­ Zhengzhen Wang ­ Xijuan Luo ­ Journal of Sport and Health Science ­ 2013
3
Cohen, Deborah A., Thomas L. McKenzie, Amber Sehgal, Stephanie Williamson, Daniela Golinelli, and Nicole Lurie. "Contribution of
Public Parks to Physical Activity." American Journal of Public Health. © American Journal of Public Health 2007, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.
4
Brasuell, James. "LA's Median Park Size Is 6.66 Acres and Other Facts About Our Crappy Park System." Curbed LA. N.p., 24 May 2012.
Web. 20 Apr. 2015.
5
Quimby Act, Cal. Government Code ​§​ 66477 et seq.
6
Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust. (2014). ​Creating New Urban Park Space in Los Angeles: An Analysis of the Current Quimby
Ordinance and Recommended Improvements​. Retrieved from
http://www.lanlt.org/library/Creating%20New%20Urban%20Park%20Space%20In%20LA.pdf.

2. use them, and accepts parkland donations. However, one report noted that land donations rarely, if 7
ever, happen – which is a problem since it is difficult for the city to acquire new land on its own. This 8
is because the credits awarded to developers in exchange for dedicating land are too low to offset the
fees, so it is often easier to pay the fees (H. Davis, personal communication, April 6, 2015).
Unfortunately, a 2008 audit showed that the City had about 129 million dollars in Quimby funds that
were not being used. There are a number of reasons why the City has had trouble putting these funds 9
to use. First, fees can only be used within a one­ to two­mile radius of the new development, and they
can only be used within the same council district. There also must be open space available for purchase
within that area. Finally, the fees do not reflect the value of the land, making it difficult for the
Recreation and Parks Department to effectively spend the money and create parks. 10
POLICY SOLUTION OPTIONS
Policy Advantages Disadvantages
Restoration Fund​: Create fund with state tax to grant
community organizations seeking to activate open lots (ex:
abandoned oil wells) or restore and expand existing open
spaces. The funds would also be used to clean up lots that
may be contaminated with toxic materials and substances.
● Increases green space and
opportunities for physical activity
● Removes toxins from environment
● Uses vacant, underutilized lots
● Improves community safety
● Private companies can prevent
activation of open lots
● Funding and maintenance
● Threat to equitable distribution of
funds
Joint Use Agreements​: Mandate schools that are funded
by school district to create advisory committee that
develops programs and plans for community use of school
facilities by partnering with local agencies. This would
encourage community use of public school facilities.
● Increases green space and
opportunities for physical activity
● Maximizes use of already existing
facilities
● School liability and vandalism
● Requires a lot of work and detailed
contracts to avoid disputes
● School budget cuts make it difficult
for schools to readily participate
Restore the South L.A. River​: Prioritize funding to restore
the South L.A. River; include various stakeholders in the
restoration process. Only 26 of 51 miles are currently
accessible. This project will focus on the southern portion
of the River that runs through some of the most
underserved communities in the county.
● Increases green space and
opportunities for physical activity
● Connects several neighborhoods
● Other co­benefits: neighborhood
identity, jobs, tourism, social equity
● Restores significant cultural location
● Expensive and time consuming
● Requires a lot of work to coordinate
and engage stakeholders
● Possible contamination due to 110
Freeway & adjacent railways
● Possible water usage issues
Quimby Reform​: Amend Los Angeles Quimby Ordinance
by increasing the service radius to 10 miles, incentivizing
developers to dedicate land instead of paying fees, and
increasing value of fees and credits.
● Increases green space and
opportunities for physical activity
● Politically feasible
● Amends already existing ordinance
● Requires coordination of multiple
city departments
● Requires cooperation of developers
● Past attempts have failed
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
We recommend reforming the Quimby Ordinance in Los Angeles and restoring the South L.A. River.
Both solutions have political support and are mentioned in the City’s new Sustainability Plan and Plan
for a Healthy L.A. The Quimby Ordinance is an existing policy, making it relatively easy to change in
the short­term. Restoring the South L.A. River would be a long­term endeavor, but would ensure social
equity and entail many co­benefits for neighboring communities and for Los Angeles in general.
7 ​
Ibid​.
8
Frank, B. (2013, May 10). Map: Quimby Funds and L.A. Parks, 2003­2013. ​KCET.​ Retrieved from
http://www.kcet.org/shows/socal_connected/rawfeed/environment/map­quimby­funds­and­la­parks­2003­2013.html.
9
Chick, L. (2008, February 21). ​Audit of Quimby Fee Collections and Uses​. Retrieved from
http://controller.lacity.org/stellent/groups/electedofficials/@ctr_contributor/documents/contributor_web_content/lacityp_008237.pdf.
10
Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust. (2014).