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Parks & The Environment

Environmental Justice is an important issue throughout the Ninth District. I understand that the people of the Ninth District want clean recreation centers, healthy neighborhoods, and a bright future for generations to come. I have fought for this and will continue to work hard to increase communal green space, remediate brownfields, and ensure that our children grow up in a healthy environment. And, as a Governing Board Member of the South Coast Air Quality Management District and current Chair of the City’s Environmental Quality and Waste Management Committee, I have a proven track record of asking the tough questions and fighting hard to ensure the needs of our community are met.

  • Successfully “greened” eight parks, reducing blighted property on these essential community gathering places.
  • Worked with Nike and the US Soccer Foundation to bring a state-of-the-art soccer field made of recycled materials to South Los Angeles.
  • Took the lead in developing the first man-made wetland in an urban setting, converting yet a blighted area in South Los Angeles into an environmentally-friendly gathering place.
  • Co-authored and is credited with the passage of Proposition O. The funds created by Proposition O will be used to stop dangerous pollutants and bacteria from flowing from neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles into our rivers and onto our beaches. Prop O will also be used to upgrade storm-drain systems, eliminating flooding at key intersections, creating new community parks, and improving water quality.
  • Serves as Governing Board Member of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) which oversees air quality and environmental issues related to air quality throughout Los Angeles County.
  • Negotiated land acquisition from DWP in order to create a unique wetland park that will take an existing brownfield and reintroduce it as centers for wildlife and environmental renewal at 54th and Avalon.
  • Authored and passed a city ordinance that creates smoke-free zones around picnic and play areas in all city parks.
  • Started the Central Avenue Farmers’ Market, the first market of its kind in South Los Angeles. The market provides fresh fruit and vegetable access to the people of the Ninth District.
  • Supports replacing public fleets with alternative fuel vehicles like hybrid and electric running cars and authored a motion to support the AQMD rule that outlines this policy.
  • Works with developers throughout the Ninth District to get them involved in the LEEDS certificate program in order make their buildings environmentally-friendly.
  • Secured over $5 million dollars in Prop K and Prop 40 funding to revitalize local parks like Fred Roberts and Gilbert Lindsay Recreation Center.
  • Helped to create a community skate park at Gilbert Lindsey Recreation Center for youth.
  • Pushed forward and ensured the completion of the new Ross Snyder Recreation center which now includes a kitchen, state-of-the-art basketball court, community room, and soccer field.
  • Facilitated the construction of an environmentally-friendly parking structure at Ross Snyder which will include decomposed granite, drought-tolerant plants, native plants, and shade trees.
  • Acquired funding for the development of the new Green Meadows Recreation Center, which now boasts a state-of-the-art facility.
  • Took the lead in ensuring that the Trintiy Recreation Center received a much-needed upgrade to the facilities.
  • Lead efforts to revitalize South Park which now includes a refurbished historic bandshell, a universal access children’s playground, and outdoor fitness equipment. Removed gazebo at South Park and replaced it with trees and green space for the community to enjoy.
  • Continues to work with parents, teachers, and administrators at the 28th street elementary school to address concerns of growing respiratory problems from local industry in her capacity as a governing board member of the SCAQMD and Chair of the City of Los Angeles’ Environmental Quality and waste Management Committee.
  • Supported AB265 which addressed the serious air quality and health issues associated with metal plating facilities that operate within neighborhoods.
  • Hosts environmental service fairs to connect constituents with city departments and other government agencies in order to inform them about important programs like car oil recycling, bulky item pick-up, and other recycling programs.
  • Works with DWP and Treepeople to help distribute fruit trees to thousands of residents annually, promoting greener communities and cleaner air.
  • Helped organize community tree planting projects with local block clubs and community groups.