Tomorrow, parking spaces will turn into parks for a day. But some Angeleno see a more permanent solution and opportunity for our park-hungry city — in our alleyways.

Of the two alleyways above, which alley do you prefer? These alleyways — both between Vista Del Mar and Gower in Hollywood — are actually separated by just one road, Carlos. The block above Carlos is the green park; the block below, the concrete wasteland.

That, plus much more, is part of the study recently released by The Back Alley LA Project — a partnership between public and community-based groups, plus USC’s Center for Sustainable Cities and Keck School of Medicine. The Back Alley LA Project mapped and studied our more than 900 miles of alleyways, then set out their findings — including recommendations for getting a Green Alleys Program going in LA — to realize the alleyways’ potential.

The Project’s studies, while a bit dry to read, provide pretty fascinating info. Uses and Perceptions of Alleys in Los Angeles (PDF) compiles the results of focus groups with the residents in five L.A. neighborhoods — Pacoima, Sun Valley, Hollywood, South Los Angeles, and Wilmington — along with census data, photos, maps, and some history.

Many residents reported concerns about the safety of alleyways, as well as problems ranging from trash dumping to public urination. The conclusion: “The study suggests that Los Angeles residents would be enthusiastic about alley conversions that improve alley safety and aesthetics without interrupting necessary uses of the alley.”

How to achieve these conversions is covered in Transforming Alleys into Green Infrastructure for Los Angeles (PDF), which looks at alley revitalization programs in Chicago — which, btw, launched a comprehensive climate action plan today — Seattle, Baltimore, and Vancouver. “By taking the best elements from each city, [Los Angeles] can build a unique alley conversion program that simultaneously addresses the vital issues of stormwater management, open space and recreation, heat-island effect, and community building,” says the report, then lays out the steps for an LA Green Alley Program to make this happen.

Top of the list: Convene a Green Alley subcommittee of the city’s Green Streets Committee. Of course, community involvement’s crucial; the study also recommends creating an official resident-initiated alley conversion process. Ready to convert your alley? Check out “How to Lead an Alley Revitalization Event” — Appendix A (page 36) in the report (PDF) — to get started.

Images from Uses and Perceptions of Alleys in Los Angeles (PDF)

Comments