By Alireza Hekmatshoar | Radio Iran
Official statistics show that per‑capita urban green space has become a key quality‑of‑life indicator. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 9 square meters per person; yet, many major cities, from Los Angeles to Tokyo, fall far short of this target. While many modern cities still fall short of the WHO’s 9 m² standard, numerous metropolitan areas are working to close the gap and expand the standards needed to improve urban design and city parks.
Where does Los Angeles fit into this picture? It is a big question, one that would likely surprise city officials themselves if examined thoroughly. What is your assessment? How much park space is there per person in a city like Los Angeles? Before we get to that, let’s look at the rankings. According to the Trust for Public Land’s 2025 report, San Francisco in Northern California ranks sixth nationwide. St. Paul, Minnesota; Cincinnati, Ohio; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Irvine, California; and Washington, DC placed fifth through first, respectively. In other words, San Francisco, the smaller sister and rival to Los Angeles, has pulled ahead, landing in sixth place.
Los Angeles, by contrast, comes in at a stark 90th. Statewide, 21.4% of Californians live within a 10‑minute walk of a park; in Los Angeles, however, it is only 14%. Investment tells the same story across Northern and Southern California: San Francisco spends about $561 per person annually on parks, while Los Angeles spends only $111. This disparity contributes to the city’s shortage of green space and public parks.
“I’ve lived here for 17 years. I spent eight of those in San Francisco. Honestly, the parks there were much, much better than here, both in how big and how many they are, and in lighting, which unfortunately is lacking here.”
Arang, 40, has lived in the United States for 17 years, approximately half of which has been spent in Northern California. She believes San Francisco, the younger sister to Los Angeles, has managed to offer residents much better, more comfortable urban park spaces, both in number and in the amenities provided.
“The most important thing to me is that a park should have areas with benches and a shelter or pavilion overhead, somewhere for people who come to walk or exercise during the day to sit and rest.”
Los Angeles still has a sizable gap in park development and urban amenities compared with major cities worldwide, including within the United States. Even so, the numbers show city officials are working to expand green space and upgrade park facilities. Trust for Public Land’s City Park Facts reported that Los Angeles spent $78 per person in 2017; in 2018, that rose to $103; and by 2025, the figure is $111 per person for park expansion and maintenance. But what, exactly, do residents, especially in lower‑income neighborhoods, expect from new green space and its amenities?
“In some areas, there are plenty of parks, and that is not the issue. But in other areas, especially as you go south, there are very few parks, and they are not well maintained. In the center, downtown neighborhoods also have very few parks. The more parks they build, the better; there is still a need for more. We need play equipment for kids, a center where people who make handicrafts can display their work, spaces for music programs and festivals, and a place for people with pets. Plus safety, including good lighting and security, and ongoing maintenance.”
Fereydoun is in his sixties and has spent more than half his life in Los Angeles. Pet ownership is very popular within the Iranian community, as in many others. That is why Rozita, who lives in North Los Angeles, points to the lack of fenced areas for pets in parks.
“The parks here are really nice, but they are small, at least in our area. Bigger would be better. There should be a fenced‑in section where pets can be off‑leash and play safely. That is much better than having them loose.”
Reza, a North Los Angeles resident about 35 years old, has a three‑year‑old child. The nearest park is about a 20‑minute drive from their home.
“I really think Los Angeles needs more parks. Parks are spaces for people of all ages: seniors, adults, and children. For me, I have a three‑year‑old daughter, and the closest park is a 20‑minute drive. I wish there were more parks, maybe five or ten minutes from our house. Even a small green space with playground equipment would help.”
In a brief comparison with parks in his hometown of Tehran, Reza believes the exercise equipment and sports amenities in Iranian parks are much better than what he has seen in Los Angeles.
“About fifteen years ago, they started putting exercise equipment in the parks, machines that use your own body weight, which are great for working out. There were treadmill‑type things too, but not electric (manual). I really have not seen that here in the U.S., and I think it would be great if that happened. I hope the new parks they are planning will have programs for kids and for different age groups, including parents. Events. Kids’ programs, like dance‑fitness classes. For older adults, there should be comfortable seating, plenty of green space, and adequate lighting. We have noticed that parks here often do not have lights, which can be a bit dangerous for kids. There should also be paths so older adults can walk, and places to train on bikes; that would be great.”
The need to create more green space for all Angelenos is also a topic that clearly warrants attention from a psychological perspective.
“Parks and urban green spaces are among the most important elements of the urban environmental infrastructure, with broad impacts on physical and mental health. From a psychological standpoint, the first thing that comes to mind is stress reduction: being in nature and open spaces lowers levels of stress hormones like cortisol and brings a sense of calm. Many studies show that parks can reduce depression and increase overall life satisfaction among middle‑aged and older adults.”
Dr. Peyman Raoofi, a clinical psychologist, a prominent Iranian‑American practitioner, and the rotating president of the Los Angeles Psychologists’ Association, believes more parks can significantly strengthen social interaction, especially for older adults and children.
“One of the most important aspects is social interaction. Parks allow people to be together; for seniors, especially, they are a place to maintain social ties. Research shows that these interactions can greatly increase feelings of social acceptance and self‑esteem in older adults. For children, free play in parks naturally builds motor skills. Studies show that thoughtful design and diverse features in children’s areas can substantially improve those motor skills. And again, the social side matters: games like basketball, volleyball, and soccer in parks can really boost children’s social development.”
Alongside expanding green space in Los Angeles, Dr. Raoofi emphasizes the importance of park quality.
“A park needs quality: cleanliness, lighting, amenities, and equipment that meet the needs of different age groups. Location matters too. Being close to places the public can easily reach, near bus stops and train stations, or even a nearby highway for easier access, makes a difference. Parks can also offer programs and resources, such as art classes, sports classes, and even social‑skills classes that the park itself can provide for the community.”
While parks create spaces for everyone, regardless of economic, social, or cultural background, lower‑income residents have an especially urgent need for them. Parks provide a free space for families to gather, spend leisure time, and exercise, thereby reducing stress in both body and mind, and contributing to the advancement of social equity in cities and large metropolitan areas like Los Angeles.
“For lower‑income residents, public parks are free environments for social and physical activity, and they are places to gather at no cost. When urban planning is done equitably and these amenities are made available to everyone, it promotes social justice and significantly improves a community’s mental and social well‑being.”
Parks are the green lungs of the city, places where trees provide clean air and calm, and where people’s hearts come together again. May these green spaces continue to expand and stay vibrant, filling our city with life and peace.
This story was produced by American Community Media in collaboration with the Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies (LENS) at UCLA as part of the Greening American Cities initiative supported by the Bezos Earth Fund. Read more stories like this by visiting the Greening Communities homepage.
