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La Puente officials and Hacienda La Puente board direct staff to pursue joint-use parks on closed school sites
Summary
City of La Puente officials urged the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District to convert several closed campuses into community green space; the board gave direction to explore a joint powers agreement and fast-track grant opportunities after hearing about potential $6 million site grants and community support.
The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District board directed staff to explore a partnership with the City of La Puente to convert several closed school campuses into parks and community green space.
City and district officials and community advocates packed the public-comment period and the board discussion to press the case. Mayor Valerie Munoz, Council Member David Argudo and the city’s grant writer and staff described prior city investments in parks, offered technical support for planning and grant applications, and identified funding opportunities, including the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which a consultant present said could provide roughly $6 million per eligible site. The city’s representatives urged the district to pursue a joint powers authority or similar agreement to qualify for competitive grants and to preserve the sites for public use rather than selling them.
Board members said protecting district property and preventing vandalism at unused campuses were priorities. Trustees emphasized the need to follow proper process — including legal, land‑use and public‑safety analyses — while also noting a narrow grant window the city flagged. Several board members cited reports of trespass and vandalism at closed campuses as an argument for quickly finding productive uses for the land.
The board’s direction was procedural rather than a binding commitment: the trustees asked district staff and city partners to work together on the details and return with a draft agreement and grant plan. President Serrano asked for a follow-up as soon as possible; trustees expressed a goal of reviewing a proposal to keep the district eligible for near-term grants.
Why it matters: The district closed multiple campuses during recent reconfiguration. Those publicly owned parcels are high‑value assets; converting them to joint‑use parks or recreation areas would create programs and green space in neighborhoods city officials described as “park poor,” while also shifting maintenance and programming responsibilities through a partnership structure.
What’s next: District staff will meet with city officials and grant partners to draft a possible joint powers agreement and a grant timeline for review by the board.
