Governor Newsom Budget Proposal Includes Funding for Park Equity & Climate Justice

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced his May revisions to the state’s proposed budget, which includes $200 million in funding for the Urban Greening Program and $125 million to address park equity and access in California. 

The Trust for Public Land advocated for funding for the Urban Greening Program, which will help to, among other benefits, convert existing built environments into green spaces that provide park or recreational benefits to critically underserved or disadvantaged communities and sequester and store carbon and mitigate stormwater runoff. 

Governor Newsom’s budget revise also includes one-time funding to help close the park equity gap in California.  The Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program awards competitive grants that invest in establishing and revitalizing community open spaces. These grants fund new parks, the beautification of existing parks, and recreation opportunities in underserved communities across the California. 

“We applaud the Governor Newsom for prioritizing park equity funding to address the lack of equitable access to green space and for increasing to historic funding levels climate justice programs like urban greening that mitigating the impacts of heat threatening the health of vulnerable Californians,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, California State Director for The Trust for Public Land.  

“The Urban Greening Program is the single most effective community-based program to deliver immediate climate justice results, green jobs and improved health in disadvantaged communities across the state.” 

“Today 1 out of every 3 California residents don’t have access to parks and green spaces within a 10-minute walk of their homes, and funding initiatives like these will help to mitigate inequalities by increasing access to cool, quiet places to breathe fresh air, exercise, and experience nature.” 

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About The Trust for Public Land   

The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Millions of people live within a 10-minute walk of a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year. To support The Trust for Public Land and share why nature matters to you, visit www.tpl.org.