COMMUNITY-DRIVEN DESIGN: Anti-Pollution Green Buffer, Arroyo & Walking Trail
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE for a Top 1% Most Polluted Community
Combining ecosystem science, engineering and community priorities, the Natural Park will create an Anti-Pollution Green Buffer ‘Nature in the City’ park between Ramona Gardens residences and a 15-lane freeway in North Boyle Heights.
Led By: Legacy LA and Legacy LA’s Youth and Resident Leaders
Improve Air Quality • 250 Native Trees & 15,000 PlantsNatural Open Space & Multi-Use Plaza • Recycle Stormwater
Natural Park Solution: Site Plans, Reports & Illustrations
Top 1% Most Polluted Communities in California
Serious Health Problems
Air Pollutants From Freeways Causes:
Asthma
Impaired lung development in children
Cardiovascular disease
Early death
15 Lanes of Freeway Next to Residences
Traffic 56% Above Federal Health Thresholds
Unhealthy Air Quality: 40% of the Year
Natural Park Solution: Anti-Pollution Green Buffer Cleans Air and Improves Health
Combines Ecosystem Science, Engineering & Community Priorities
Uptakes air pollutants from freeways
Provides natural places to walk and play
Captures and cleans urban runoff
Improves water quality in L.A. River
Multi-use Plaza for community events
Walking trail for all ages
Native Plant Communities Uptake Air Pollutants, Store Carbon and Reduce Greenhouse Gases
A Living Partnership
Natural shade and cooling
Earth hills lift trees to capture more air pollutants
Year-round leaf canopies
Living soil ecosystem and deep roots uptake air pollutants and store carbon
Wall blocks air pollutants and noise, supports earth hills
280 metric tons of carbon in 20 years
Community Engagement & Community Priorities
Community Priorities Determined
Natural Park Design
Community Outreach Led By
Legacy LA Youth and Resident Leaders
Door-to-door outreach
Surveys of 500 residences
Community workshops
Stakeholder meetings
Support from:
Ramona Gardens Residents Advisory Committee
Natural Park Project Site Today & Example Urban Natural Parks
The Natural Park is in the Northern Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, on four acres of undeveloped land between 500 residences - home to 1800 people - and a 15-lane freeway and transit corridor. The site includes two large storm drains.
Join the Movement
The Natural Park Anti Pollution Solution is a community solution that youth and adult leaders have been working on for 6 years. Legacy LA has partnered with Community Conservation Solutions to develop a schematic design of the project. With AB617 funding and the support of elected officials, like Congressman Jimmy Gomez and Councilmember Kevin de Leon, the project team has garnered the attention of many Evironmental Justice advocates, like you. Sign on below to demonstrate your support!
Project Funders
Project Team and Partners
Natural Park Space
La Plaza Verde
Active Recreation
The Natural Park at Ramona Gardens is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.