Assemblyman Isadore Hall III LOS ANGELES—Assemblyman Isadore Hall III, D – Los Angeles, has announced that the Department of Housing and Community Development has awarded more than $869,000 to develop and improve local parks throughout Los Angeles County.

Specifically, the department awarded $310,000 to Long Beach for rehabilitation of the 14th Street/Seaside Park and $559,500 to the County of Los Angeles for refurbishment projects at City Terrace Park and East Rancho Dominguez County Park.

Funded through Proposition 1C, the Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006, the program gives incentives for local governments to develop new sustainable, affordable housing by offering grants for park improvements near those new homes. Grant funds may be used for a wide range of park-related capital asset projects, including new park and recreation facilities, community centers, playgrounds and improvements to existing parks.

“For too many families in my district and throughout Los Angeles County, access to safe, quality public parks has been limited at best,” Hall said. “These grants are a double win for these communities because they will now have greater access to affordable housing and increased access to parks for children and families to enjoy. I am proud to be a partner in helping these deserving communities access quality parks near their homes and provide additional opportunities for families to encourage healthier lifestyles.”

In 2011, the department awarded 33 grants to local governments across the state totaling over $11.2 million.