Determining sports-field placement using data and partnerships
Park planning has become increasingly data-driven in recent years. For instance, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) collects and analyzes a high volume and variety of data to prepare major plans and studies, with key examples including the 2016 Parks Needs Assessment (PNA), Community Parks and Recreation Plans (CPRP) for the most park-poor communities, and the 2022 Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+).
Building on the data collected from the PNA, DPR has completed further analyses to identify areas of the county with the greatest need for sports facilities for youth, including baseball fields, basketball courts, and soccer fields, based upon four key variables: