Parks After Dark Evaluation Brief.

Parks After Dark (PAD) is an innovative Los Angeles County (County) strategy for building resilient communities that re-envisions parks as community hubs. PAD began in 2010 at three parks and expanded to twenty-three parks in 2017, evolving into a key County prevention and intervention strategy to promote health, safety, equity, and family and community well-being through cross-sector collaborations. The parks selected for PAD participation are located in communities that, compared to Los Angeles County as a whole, experience higher rates of violence, economic hardship, and obesity and have fewer resources for physical activity and social gathering (see Parks After Dark Evaluation Report, May 2017). For an eight-week period each summer, PAD extends hours of park operation from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at participating parks. The program provides opportunities for community members to come together in a safe and welcoming space where they can access quality programming and a variety of health and social resources. PAD offers sports and recreational activities (e.g., swimming, dance), family entertainment (e.g., movies, concerts, arts and crafts, free meals), cultural and educational programming (e.g., healthy cooking, financial literacy), and employment and volunteer opportunities for youth and adults. PAD also provides resource fairs at which numerous government and community-based organizations connect participants with health, social, economic, and legal resources. Throughout all events, Deputy Sheriffs patrol and engage in activities alongside participants, ensuring safety and fostering positive interactions between law enforcement and community members. PAD is led by the County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), with strong support from partners, including the County Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Office (CEO), Department of Public Health (DPH), Sheriff’s Department (LASD), Probation Department, Workforce Development Aging and Community Services (WDACS), and many other government and community-based organizations. This brief focuses on 2017 outcomes and highlights innovative strategies.