As executive director of the Los Angeles Parks Foundation (LAPF), Carolyn Ramsay is leading the largest not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and enhancing the more than 450 parks in Los Angeles. Since assuming her posi-tion in 2018, Ramsay has been dedicated to improving the city of Los Angeles, one park at a time. Among the many projects she leads, Ramsay has been spearheading an ambitious initiative for the past two years: planting “pocket forests” in Los Angeles. Under her leadership, the initiative works to grow the urban canopy, reduce the city’s carbon footprint, cool surface air temperatures and educate the public about climate change.
The project has already installed 10 micro forests across Los Angeles, with a goal to plant 100 by 2030. Ramsay also recently wrapped up a project to restore Laurel Canyon Dog Park, the oldest off-leash dog park in Los Angeles. In partnership with City National Bank and the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, Ramsay helped install new benches, a dog wash station and a pergola that provides better shade for dogs and their owners. Prior to the refurbishment, the Laurel Canyon Dog Park, established in 1988, featured limited shade and seating.
The renovation provides the community with an improved setting where pets can play. Under Ramsay’s direction, the LAPF also created the Tom LaBonge Memorial Fund, to honor the late Councilman Tom LaBonge. Through this project, the LAPF has raised over $75,000 to fund critical improvement & restoration projects within Griffith Park, which are underway.
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