This summer the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation will double the number of parks that offer Parks After Dark programming.

The number of parks offering this summer program increased from nine parks last summer to 20 parks in 2016.

Hundreds of youth and their families will have expanded opportunities to experience more healthy recreation and active lifestyles.

Entering its seventh season, PAD has proven to be effective at encouraging healthy living, connecting communities and providing safe havens after hours during the summer months.

Twenty Los Angeles County parks located in all five Los Angeles County Supervisorial Districts will host free activities that include organized sports, concerts and movies, cooking classes, public health outreach and health and social service resource fairs.

“In conjunction with our partners in the PAD program, the Department of Parks and Recreation strives to improve quality of life by offering safe, healthy and enriching recreational opportunities,” said John Wicker, Director of Parks and Recreation.

“I am so proud that we can continue to serve our communities in this way by providing PAD programming at more of our beautiful parks.”

Along with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, a number of partnering agencies make tremendous contributions to PAD, including: Chief Executive Office, Probation, Public Library, Public Health, Community and Senior Services, Human Relations Commission, Office of Child Protection, Sheriff’s Department, Public Defender, District Attorney and Arts Commission.

Parks after Dark programming will be available, during summer months, at the following parks Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.:

Bassett Park, Belvedere Park, City Terrace Park, Obregon Park, San Angelo Park, Salazar Park, Athens Park, Bethune Park, East Rancho Dominguez Park, Helen Keller Park, Jesse Owens Park, Roosevelt Park, Ted Watkins Park, El Cariso Park, Adventure Park, Mayberry Park, Pamela Park, Loma Alta Park, Sorensen Park, Val Verde Park.

Funding for this special program has been provided by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Chief Executive Office and the Departments of Parks and Recreation and Public Health.

The largest contribution to this collaborative effort is from the County’s Probation Department.

For more information on PAD programming, please check their website at parks.lacounty.gov and follow them on Twitter @lacountyparks and on Facebook at facebook.com/parks.lacounty.gov.