Bradley Plaza and Green Alley
Pacoima, Los Angeles, California
Primary Project Benefits
Background
Pacoima is a redlined community and has historically been underinvested in. The area lacks sufficient open space for the community; there are 0.6 acres of parks per 1,000 residents in the vicinity of the project area, significantly lower than the county average of 3 parks per 1,000 people (LA County Needs Assessment). Therefore, residents have limited access to local parks that are within walking distance where they can exercise, play and recreate.
While nearby regional parks are great for communities, data has proved that pocket parks, like the Bradley Plaza, improve safety, fitness and health and make communities more sociable because they are more accessible to residents.
Exploring the Bradley Alley Project
The Bradley Plaza and Green Alley Project is a two-block section, with entrance to the plaza at the intersection of Bradley Avenue and Van Nuys Boulevard. The transformed project area increases open space, captures and infiltrates polluted stormwater runoff for improved water quality, and increases mobility for the San Fernando Gardens housing complex—all while helping to restore the natural environment of the Tujunga Wash and Los Angeles River.
A view of Bradley Plaza facing northwest and looking toward Van Nuys Boulevard.
800 Linear Feet of Alley Improvements
The San Fernando Valley gets significantly hotter in the summer months compared to other regions of Los Angeles. This, combined with a low tree canopy coverage, industrial pollutants, and paved roads, creates conditions for the urban heat island (UHI) effect and heat-related illnesses.
To combat the UHI effect, the project’s pavement coloring has a high albedo characteristic which reflects solar rays and reduces the absorption of heat. In this way, green infrastructure projects like the Bradley Plaza and Green Alley help us address many community needs: clean air, cooler temperatures, and safe places where kids can go and play.
"Staying true to the spirit of Pacoima, the project incorporates a ground painted in a wavelike pattern mimicking rushing water," ARUP . The project also celebrates Pacoima's community passion for art and expression by allowing local artists to create a large mural on the alley's wall.
Street lights, seating, a shade structure, ADA accessibility features and an outdoor classroom create safe spaces for all residents to relax and play.
Street Lights
Locations of street light installations in Bradley Plaza.
The addition of street lights will allow the nearly 8,500 people, who live within a ten-minute walk of the plaza, to have a safe, well-lit area to visit or walk through at night.
Seating Fixtures
Locations of added seating in the Bradley Plaza + Green Alley.
Pacoima is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The name comes from the Pacoinga Village by the Fernandeño Tataviam tribe that lived in this area as far back as 450 AD.
The project team engaged the Fernandeño Tataviam tribe and incorporated their language and indigenous art throughout the project space. As a gesture to the tribe, Tataviam symbols were incorporated into the custom salvaged timber amenity elements.
The custom seating is made from locally-reclaimed.
Shade Structure
Location of the new shade structure in Bradley Plaza.
In addition to the reclaimed wood seating, the project added a shade structure, outdoor fitness equipment and a nature classroom.
The large shade structure and community seating are the centerpiece of this space and gives the community what they requested, which is a safe and shaded area for gathering and performance.
Photo credit (right): Edna Robidas, Trust for Public Land
ADA Accessible Amenities
Location of ADA accessibility features in Bradley Plaza allowing wheelchair access.
Under federal regulations for parks, the inclusion of features such as accessible parking spaces, routes, toilet facilities, public telephones, and spectator seating areas are required to comply with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Incorporating ADA amenities makes this space accessible for all to enjoy.
Outdoor Classroom Area
Location of the outdoor classroom area in Bradley Plaza (featuring more custom and locally-reclaimed wood seating).
Shown here, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez made a statement while standing near the outdoor classroom area: “This project showcases how we can design with both the community and environment in mind. Bradley Plaza and Green Alley brings together beautiful community gathering spaces, and engineering that will improve water quality and reduce local flooding during rainstorms. This effort will have long-term impacts and improve the quality of life in Pacoima," InHabitat .
Native Trees, Vines and Shrubs
Locations of planters featuring native plants in the Bradley Plaza + Green Alley.
Local community members were engaged in the design process from the beginning by providing feedback on the plants and trees that are now lining the alleyway. In total, 1,346 trees and plants were planted!
Water-wise landscaping and a stormwater capture system (including a catch basin, drywell, infiltration trench, and infiltration planters) will save water and have the capacity to infiltrate 5 acre-feet or 2 million gallons of water during an average rain year.
An infiltration planter in the Bradley Green Alley featuring a dry well, stormwater inlets and native plants.
The alley’s crumbling surface was replaced with new asphalt that drains into infiltration planters, subsurface infiltration trenches, and a catch basin system. During times of rain, alley water flows into the planters, infiltrates down through soil and gravel, and is cleaned in the process. This process allows for the removal of pollutants and the infiltration of stormwater into the underlying groundwater aquifer. Green infrastructure features such as these improve water quality and eliminate local flooding during rain storms.
The planters are also strategically placed to reduce vehicle speeds.
Community-informed Design
The community was provided with three concept schemes at a local workshop, and community members were encouraged to choose the elements and overall design they liked best.
The project team consolidated feedback from the event and produced a design to meet their needs and priorities, which included shaded areas as well as artwork that showcases the local culture.
The project team also conducted five focus group outreach events, including one with a youth environmental group and one with a coalition of mothers who live in public housing adjacent to the project site.
Interested in a virtual visit? Click here to experience the Bradley Avenue Plaza and Alley in 3D
Funders
Bradley Plaza Green Alley is funded through the City of Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA/LA), LA Sanitation and Environment, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Los Angeles Waterkeeper and The Liberty Hill Foundation, California Natural Resources Agency, The Boeing Company, and Wells Fargo Foundation. Additionally, the project had broad support from the San Fernando Gardens Housing Authority and Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez from CD 7.
This project was also made possible by Pacoima Beautiful, a grassroots environmental justice organization that provides education, impacts local policy, and supports local arts and culture in order to promote a healthy and sustainable San Fernando Valley. For more information on the work they do visit https://www.pacoimabeautiful.org/
More Information
Visit ReDesign.LA to learn more about multi-benefit green infrastructure projects, grant opportunities and more.
ReDesignLA is a strategic initiative of Council for Watershed Health.
