Summary

Published Date: July 31, 2023

Summary: In this infographic brief, the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research provides information from their evaluation of the 2022 Parks After Dark (PAD) program in Los Angeles County. 

PAD is a Los Angeles County initiative led by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), in partnership with other County departments and community-based organizations. PAD is implemented in Los Angeles County areas with high levels of violence, obesity, and economic hardship. Thirty-four DPR parks hosted PAD between June and August 2022, after a two-year halt in programming because of the COVID-19 pandemic. PAD was offered three nights a week for eight weeks, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. 

PAD has 7 overarching goals:

  • Decrease community violence and increase safety
  • Facilitate cross-sector collaborations in park communities and countywide 
  • Increase social cohesion and family and community well-being 
  • Increase access to free recreational programming, health, and social services that reflect the interests and needs of communities served 
  • Increase physical activity and decrease chronic disease risk 
  • Contribute to positive youth development 
  • Achieve cost savings


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