In this brief, the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research summarizes information from their evaluation of the 2024 Parks After Dark (PAD) program in Los Angeles County, including innovative “spotlights” that made PAD unique. PAD was a county initiative led by the Department of Parks and Recreation in partnership with other county departments and community-based organizations. In its 14th year, PAD programming — including sports, entertainment, activities, and more — was offered for eight weeks on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 34 parks between June and August 2024.

Findings: Evaluators found that PAD continued to make significant progress in achieving its goals by providing quality recreational programming in a safe and family-friendly environment. PAD provided programming for participants of all ages with a more recent focus on Youth and Seniors.

While ensuring participants’ sense of safety at parks while attending PAD events, PAD also encouraged meaningful collaboration between participating county departments and community-based organizations. PAD contributed to participant’s feelings of well-being, family togetherness, social cohesion, and involved a diverse range of participants in community-driven programming in a meaningful way. PAD may have also helped to reduce the burden of disease for those that engaged in sports and exercise activities.