South Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA), 2026 Rings in Our 6th Year
SPNA has decided on their New Year’s resolutions for 2026. The SPNA Board met in December 2025 to review the year and to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for the organization and the neighborhood. The Executive Committee then determined the trajectory for the organization’s neighborhood work for the year at January’s meeting.
In five years, SPNA has increased its endeavors, outreach, and advocacy to grow and support the neighborhood. We started with a focus on building community for residents and businesses – social events to bring people together at local businesses with A Taste of South Park being our premiere event, communication through our monthly newsletter, The Scene, and email blasts to keep our neighbors, building managers, and business owners informed and at times entertained. We also advocated for the neighborhood on issues affecting us – neighborhood oil drill site, LA Convention Center expansion, political campaigns and elections, proposed bike lane, development projects, Oceanwide, and more. Each year we find more to do!
For 2026, we have one over-arching goal – to involve more people in SPNA’s work. We do need the entire village to raise the neighborhood to even higher levels. Thus, we are:
1. Growing our Board to seven members. You will meet the Board in the March newsletter.
2. Focusing on five committees with more committee members. Will you join a committee? Let us know – spnadtla@gmail.com – how you can help the neighborhood.
(a) PR/Marketing – monthly newsletter, more robust social media, new resident communications
(b) Livability – core initiatives, political advocacy, non-sponsored events, building captains
(c) Development – sponsored events such as A Taste of South Park and others – a new big event, fundraising
(d) Governance – bylaws for SPNA, legal matters, nonprofit status
(e) Finance – profit and loss analysis, taxes, accounts receivable, finance management
3. Tapping into the vast resources in our community. Is there something you can offer SPNA outside of committee work? We would love to hear from you.
2026 is also a year with much happening including preparation for what is to come. Some of our work this year:
1. Election year for mayor and governor and lots of races in between. The mayoral election is one that affects the neighborhood the most. Registering voters, providing information, and get-out-the-vote campaigns will be part of SPNA’s work.
2. The South Park Business Improvement District – SPBID - is starting an early renewal process. This process is required in order for the BID to continue. Resident participation is required. We will keep you updated on the process.
3. The 2028 Olympics are coming and coming fast. Is the neighborhood ready?
4. We know from our surveys, conversations, and emails that a safe and clean neighborhood is your highest priority. It is for us as well. SPNA will continue to work with the South Park BID to implement a shared security network.
Let us know if you want to join a committee to make South Park stronger!
By Debra Shrout
