TRANSIT TO PARKS STRATEGIC PLAN May, 2019 “ With this Plan, Metro describes a vision for coordinating access goals and strategies at the local and County levels so that as a region we can better access parks as well as funding for transit to parks. ” Project Team Los Angeles Metro Jacob Lieb, Senior Director Katie Lemmon, Transportation Planning Manager Lauren Grabowski, Principal Consultant Team Here LA PlaceWorks Nelson\Nygaard Community Nature Connection Nature for All Contents Setting the Stage 1 1 Introduction & Context 2 Finding the Way 17 Process & Methodology 3 Seeing What’s Worked 39 Case Studies 4 Making the Connections 47 Linkages & Programs 5 Getting There 85 Actions & Implementation Appendices 101 Data Approach Case Studies Full Score List of Parks in LA County Transit to Parks Strategic Plan 01 Setting the Stage 1 Setting the Stage Metro’s Transit to Parks Strategic Plan presents a systematic vision for increasing access to parks and open space Countywide. The goal is to find targeted, holistic ways to increase access to parks and open spaces, especially for communities of need. These communities, especially those that are not within walking distance or without convenient public transit to a park, are the focus of the Plan. Expanding access is a key priority for the region as demonstrated in the Los Angeles Countywide Comprehensive Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment and the Southern California Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan, both of which highlight a lack of park and open space access. LA County has a wealth of open space and recreational assets, but often these places are out of reach for County residents, particularly lower income, disadvantaged communities. Metro is committed to initiating partnerships and finding ways to increase access to parks and open spaces for LA County. 1 May 2019 May 2019 2 Transit to Parks Strategic Plan 01 Setting the Stage Vision “ Metro envisions a Los Angeles in which people can use a network of varied and connected transportation options to get to parks and open spaces. ” 3 May 2019 Transit to Parks Strategic Plan 01 Setting the Stage Park Types Local & Regional Parks + Beaches & Mountains Serve Communities of Interest Serve all LA County residents The Plan considers a full range of park types from small local parks and regional parks, to open spaces, trails, beaches, and mountain destinations. Vision Setting the Stage Metro envisions a Los Angeles in which people can As the region’s biggest mobility provider, Metro use a network of varied and connected transportation recognizes a striking need to provide better access options to get to their neighborhood parks, regional to parks and open space for the County’s 10.1 million open space destinations and different park types – residents and 48.3 million annual visitors.1 This small local parks to regional parks, open spaces, trails Transit to Parks Strategic Plan (T2P Strategic Plan) and our vast beach and mountain public spaces. A delves into regional need in relation to transportation future where people can not only access these green and shows how Metro could address the issue, as places, but also feel comfortable using them – people well as what partner agencies and stakeholders can of all ages, genders, races, incomes, and abilities do to support the effort. As we’ve seen, addressing taking transit to parks and open spaces at different large mobility issues or laying out region-wide transit times of the week and of the year. programs takes collaboration between agencies at the federal, state, county, and local levels, as well as public and private partnerships. The T2P Strategic All Types of Open Space Plan puts forth a vision for parks and open space In this Plan an emphasis has been put on assuring access that is accomplished through partnerships access to regional parks and also to local parks, between Metro, cities, the County of Los Angeles, mountain destinations, trails, and beaches. Local natural asset conservancies, open space management and regional parks may be closer and more easily agencies, community-based organizations, and others accessible by the communities who would most around the County. benefit from improved access. A Key Frame for Transit to Parks Planning: Metro’s Equity Platform In March 2018 the Metro Board approved the Metro Equity Platform Framework, which acknowledges disparities in communities’ and individuals’ ability to access jobs, housing, education, health, and safety, and provides a foundation for Metro to provide leadership in addressing these inequities. The Framework considers equity along various lines, including income, race, class, age, gender, disability, and residency. The T2P Strategic Plan uses this framework as a guide, building processes and recommendations from an equity perspective and identifying areas where Metro can lead and where partners should be activated to provide transit to parks access and supportive programming. 1. 2017 County visitors, LA Times May 2019 4 Transit to Parks Strategic Plan 01 Setting the Stage Values & Goals Metro Values & Goals This Plan rests on an underpinning of some of Metro’s goals for the T2p Strategic Plan are to: Metro’s core values as expressed in the Metro Mission • Showcase our agency’s mobility-based definition Statement and the tenants from Metro’s Vision 2028 of park access need. Plan (described further on page 7): • Analyze this need, focusing Countywide on • Equity – The Plan will not only look equally issues and opportunities. across the region at access issues and • Evaluate prior programs and pinpoint best solutions, but will also identify and focus practices that can be applied locally. on the communities most in need. This is • Recommend cost effective strategies for both in recognition of the vast disparities among Metro and partner agencies. neighborhoods and individuals when it comes to access to parks and open space. • Quality Access – The Plan strives for quality access that responds to the needs of people who want to visit parks and open spaces. It also recommends a set of solution types based on best practices from around the nation and locally. Quality access also means assuring access to all types of open spaces, including local/regional parks as well as mountains and beaches. • Innovation & Technology – The Plan integrates ideas for new technologies and innovations as applied to the transit to parks solution types. • Fiscal Responsibility – The Plan seeks solutions that are cost effective. • Team Work – The Plan emphasizes the role not only of Metro, but also of partner agencies and groups around the region, to realize the ideas presented for transit to parks access. 5 May 2019 Transit to Parks Strategic Plan 01 Setting the Stage Metro Values Equity Innovation Quality Access Fiscally & Team Work Responsible Define Areas Countywide of Need Best Practices Opportunities Cost-Effective Transit to Parks Goals May 2019 6 Transit to Parks Strategic Plan 01 Setting the Stage Metro’s Associated Efforts Over the last 25 years, Metro’s efforts have focused on creating more and better transportation options Associated for everyone who lives, works, and plays around LA County. We are also looking to the future, working to update our long range vision, address transit gaps and opportunities, and think creatively about what Efforts transportation means now and in the future. Several recently completed and ongoing Metro efforts tie into the Transit to Parks initiative: Vision 2028 Metro Vision 2028 is our agency’s strategic plan that creates the foundation for transforming mobility in Los Angeles County over the next 10 years. It sets the mission, vision, performance outcomes, and goals for Metro and puts in motion specific initiatives and performance outcomes towards which Metro and its partners will strive in pursuit of a better transportation future. Vision 2028 sets the foundation for the Long Range Transportation Plan and the NextGen Study described below. Outcomes aim to double the percent usage of transportation modes other than solo driving, including taking transit, walking, biking, sharing rides, and carpooling. This vision supports the ideas presented in this Plan. Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) The LRTP will contain: a baseline understanding of the mobility challenges, needs, and opportunities for our region; a Values Framework that lays out Metro’s goals and policies; a Network and Management Plan showcasing the strategies and initiatives; and an Implementation Section that provides capital development and funding programs. The Transit to Parks effort will inform the LRTP Update by providing recommendations on transit strategies and initiatives that link people to parks. The LRTP will 7 May 2019 Transit to Parks Strategic Plan 01 Setting the Stage utilize performance metrics that may include those relating to access to parks and open space which can be informed by this Plan. NextGen Metro is deciding how to design a new bus network that is more relevant, reflective of, and attractive to LA County residents - and is aiming to design a system that integrates with all the ways we travel, like using ride hailing apps and bike share. This project is currently underway (as of 2019) and is the first major overhaul of the bus network in 25 years. The Next Generation of bus service is expected to go into effect in 2019 and 2020. Similar to the relationship with the LRTP update, the Transit to Parks effort can inform the NextGen bus study by infusing it with an emphasis on parks access from an equity perspective. The NextGen study will have to weigh a variety of priorities - one of these priorities should be to provide communities of need with parks and open spaces. First / Last Mile Strategic Plan & Active Transportation Strategic Plan (FLM Plan & ATSP) Through these two plans, (adopted in 2014 and 2016 respectively) Metro looks beyond the station, to think about ways to improve the experience of getting to and from transit.