Right of Way

Case 10: Open Space

Open space is land free of structures, natural in character, and accessible to the public. It provides opportunities for recreation, protects public health, and contributes to community identity. Researchers have linked regular access to open space to social and mental well-being, improved air quality, and reduction in noise and air pollution. Recent studies indicate that the ratio of parkland or open space to residents is 21 acres per 1,000 people in communities where annual household incomes are $40,000 or above. However, less than one-half acre of parkland exists for every 1,000 residents in LA's poorest neighborhoods.

Los Angeles has the fourth highest percentage of renters in the nation. In many neighborhoods, rental units make up 75-98% of residences, resulting in a lack of revenue from property taxes, and inhibiting the city from investing in and maintaining open space. The sale of open space in low-income areas to private entities with the stipulation that a portion of the property be dedicated to open access has become a popular way to achieve planning goals, but also leads to more limited use through surveillance and policing of private property.

On display in this case are documents that demonstrate the ways in which civic, government, and community organizations have worked toward the development of open space in Los Angeles, including a statement by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles expressing strong support for open spaces, a planning publication produced by the Southern California Association of Governments, an assembly bill that codified eminent domain powers for public land creation, and documents about Santa Susana Mountain Park, formerly inhabited by Tongva, Chumash, and Tataviam tribes.

Case 11, Public Spaces, is to your right.

• 1

  Philosophy of Open Spaces, 1961League of Women Voters of Los Angeles Collection

• 2

  Assembly Bill No. 921, 1973Northridge Civic Association Papers

• 3

  Department of City Planning, "Open Space Plan," 1973Los Angeles City Planning Commission Collection

• 4

  "Conservation and Open Space Plan," 1976Susan B. Nelson Collection

• 5

  Flyer, "Save the Stagecoach Trail," 1972Santa Susana Mountain Park Association Collection

• 6

  "Information Sheet, Santa Susana Mountain Park," 1970Santa Susana Mountain Park Association Collection

• 7

  Open Space Preliminary Plan Map, 1972Santa Susana Mountain Park Association Collection

• 8

  Open Space Plan Map, June 1973Santa Susana Mountain Park Association Collection