Explore the Green Places Tools below. Roll over each Tool to see its name and click to pull up details. You can also search by the categories above. Each Tool includes definitions and resources, such as links to case studies, standard plans, funding, and partnership opportunities. Also be sure to look at the detailed resources in Get Funding and Resource Library.
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A piece of land gardened collectively by a group of participants, producing fruit, vegetables, herbs and/or ornamental plantings for gardeners and their community.
ACTIONS
- Form a volunteer organizing committee or “garden club”.
- Find a suitable site
- Plan your garden using the many resources available (see below).
- Construct garden infrastructure (irrigation, bed walls, fencing, etc.).
- Develop policies and procedures for participation and membership dues.
- Grow your garden!
GOOD TO KNOW
- Setup costs include: irrigation system, soil testing and preparation, plot bed construction, pathway materials, perimeter fencing, benches, toolshed
- Maintenance costs include: water, liability insurance, infrastructure upkeep
PARTNERSHIPS
- Los Angeles Community Garden Council
- Master Gardeners Training Program (University of California Cooperative Extension)
- LA County Department of Public Works School Garden Program
FUNDING SOURCES
- List of grants for community gardens (The Grant Helpers)
- Grow Your Park grant program (National Recreation and Park Association)
- LA County Department of Public Works School Garden Program
RESOURCES
- Building a Community Garden in Your Park
- Community Garden Startup Guide
- Los Angeles Department of Public Health Community Food Production
COMPATIBLE TOOLS
- Drought-Tolerant Planting
- Green Alley
- Arts / Culture Tour
- Tree Planting / Reuse
- Graywater Reuse
- Water-Efficient Irrigation Controls
- Water-Efficient Irrigation
- Within a walking distance from users.
- Sunny for at least 6-8 hours each day.
- Relatively flat.
- Served by existing water services.
- Preferably unpaved with good quality soils.
- Form necessary agreements with the relevant agency.
Reflective pavement – typically composed of modified asphalt, light-colored concrete, or a light-colored coating -- that reduces the amount of heat absorbed into the pavement, lowering surface and ambient air temperatures.
GOOD TO KNOW
- White cement concrete can have a solar reflectance of up to 15x that of asphalt.
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Typical treatments include:
- asphalt or concrete with light-colored aggregate.
- white-cement concrete.
- reflective coatings, slurries, or overlays on top of asphalt.
- Reflective pavements are typically about 3 times the cost of regular asphalt.
- Maintenance costs include strategies to clean and renew pavements, which depends on usage and environmental conditions.
PARTNERSHIPS
- Relevant Street Maintenance Department (such as LA Bureau of Street Services )
RESOURCES
COMPATIBLE TOOLS
- Green Alley
- Recycled Materials
- Kinetic Paving
Landscapes that have low water requirements, which may incorporate native plants and trees. Planting for increased biodiversity and native habitat restoration should be a primary goal.
ACTIONS
- Planting is often best in the fall months, to allow plants to establish themselves before the first major dry period and the onset of summer heat.
- Form a group to serve as responsible party for initial planting and long-term maintenance. Pursue partnerships with local organizations, municipal departments, and businesses that can provide implementation and funding assistance.
- Find a suitable site by performing a site analysis to show existing conditions such as slope, drainage, soil quality, and solar exposure. Preferably, the site should be served by existing water services.
- Choose plants and plan the site using the many resources available.
- Check adherence to municipal planting regulations. Avoid invasive species.
- Form necessary agreements with relevant agencies, which will designate a specific party responsible for long-term upkeep and maintenance, including associated costs.
- Construct garden infrastructure (e.g., seating, design elements such as rock walls or trellises, irrigation)
- Plant!
- Practice proper maintenance over time: Most drought tolerant plants are low maintenance. It is best to water drought tolerant plants thoroughly and infrequently. Frequent watering can harm many drought tolerant plants. Irrigate with drip or low flow precision rotator heads so that water soaks in slowly and doesn’t spray onto surrounding hardscape Use water efficient weather-based irrigation controllers whenever possible.
PARTNERSHIPS
- California Native Plant Society
- TreePeople
- Calflora
- Theodore Payne Foundation
- Local Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) can be valuable partners in funding projects and ensuring proper maintenance. BIDs for the City of Los Angeles can be located here.
FUNDING SOURCES
RESOURCES
Design Guidance
- Drought Tolerant Plants Guide
- Native Plant List
- Drought Tolerant Landscaping Resources
- California Friendly Landscaping in Los Angeles
- Great California Native Plants
- A California-Friendly Guide to Native and Drought Tolerant Gardens
- The 13 best Calif. native drought-tolerant plants for your garden
- Drought tolerant native plants for the Los Angeles Basin
- PlantBook Resource Guide for Selecting Sustainable Landscape Plants in Southern California
Policies and Guidelines
- County of Los Angeles, Drought-Tolerant Landscape Ordinance (No. 2008-0064)
- City of Los Angeles Protected Native Tree Ordinance
- City of Los Angeles, Residential Parkway Landscaping Guidelines
COMPATIBLE TOOLS
- Tree Planting / Reuse
- Green Wall
- Green Alley
- Community Garden
- Block Party
- Open Street Event
- Parklet
- Temporary Pedestrian Plaza
- Underpass Activation
- Water Efficient Irrigation
- Site Planning & Design
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An alley comfortable for pedestrians and people on bikes, as well as for vehicles. A green alley is built with materials and features that capture stormwater, reduce heat, and provide a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment.
CASE STUDIES
- The Avalon Green Alley Network Demonstration Project
- Green Alleys in South Park: Visioning Report
- Green Alley Project (Detroit, Michigan)
GOOD TO KNOW
- Costs are highly variable, depending on types of greening and sustainability features, infrastructure (e.g., paving, planting, lighting and furnishings), permitting requirements, and long-term maintenance needs.
PARTNERSHIPS
- TreePeople
- Trust for Public Land
- City of Los Angeles Department of Planning
- City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation
- City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works
- City of Los Angeles Stormwater Program
- Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)
- Non-profit community organizations
FUNDING SOURCES
- Agreements with private developers, such as community benefit agreements
- Transfer of Floor Area Ratio (TFAR) Program
RESOURCES
- Description of Green Alleys
- The Avalon Green Alley Network Demonstration Project
- Chicago Green Alleys Handbook
- NACTO Description of Green Alleys
COMPATIBLE TOOLS
- Community Garden
- Drought Tolerant Planting
- Tree Planting / Reuse
- Green Wall
- Street Furniture
- Recycled Materials
- Shade
- Kinetic Paving
- Motion Sensor Lighting
- Pop-Up Music
- Arts / Culture Tour
- Farmers Market
- Cool Pavement
- Charging Station
- Public Art
- Pop-Up / Free Little Library
- Pop-Up Retail
- Water Refilling Station
- Signage/Wayfinding
- Wi-Fi (Free)
- Site Planning & Design
- Infiltration - Permeable Pavement
- Bioinfiltration - Vegetated infiltration Planter Box
- Bioinfiltration - Bioswale / Vegetated Swale
- Biofiltration - Flow-Through Planter Box
A vertical wall partially or completely covered with vegetation, typically consisting of a structure, growing media (soil), and integrated water delivery system.
ACTIONS
- Ensure the suitability of the site, including adequate light, conducive wall material, and proper drainage.
- Partner with appropriate agencies and designers for planting design and applicable regulations.
- Proper maintenance is critical. Regular maintenance includes occasional plant replacement, soil replenishment, and upkeep of the irrigation system. Many installation companies offer maintenance services.
GOOD TO KNOW
- The Southern California climate presents several challenges to the effectiveness and health of green walls. Irrigation systems, while necessary, should be designed for efficient distribution of water, and plants should be selected based on low water needs. In general, direct sunlight should be avoided or minimized in order to decrease water requirements.
CASE STUDIES
- The PacMutual Building in downtown Los Angeles features the tallest green wall in Los Angeles. Overlooking Pershing Square, the 80’-high wall is planted with drought-tolerant plants along with an integrated irrigation system that maximizes water efficiency.
RESOURCES
COMPATIBLE TOOLS
- Drought Tolerant Planting
- Green Alley
- Recycled Materials
- Parklet
- Temporary Pedestrian Plaza
- Water Efficient Irrigation
Planting new trees or transplanting existing established trees in order to provide shade and aesthetic benefits.
ACTIONS
- Determine the location of the trees you wish to plant and goals you are trying to achieve (for example, provide shade, grow fruit, add color, etc.).
- Partner with a local nonprofit or municipal agency for guidance throughout the process (see resources below).
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Determine the suitability of the planting site, including:
- Good conditions for the roots to spread: (Is there a large permeable area that is far enough away from buildings and hardscapes, soil quality).
- Good conditions for tree branch development, including room for the tree to grow up and out (Are there utility lines overhead or buildings nearby?).
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Select tree type, based on several factors, including:
- Characteristics of the site (soil type and drainage, irrigated or not, etc.).
- Type (deciduous, evergreen, flowering, fruit, etc.).
- Aesthetic/functional goals (shape, flowering, color, shade-providing, etc.).
- Tree size at maturity.
- Root characteristics (spread and depth).
- Adherence to relevant local landscaping regulations and inclusion on an approved tree list by the relevant municipal agency (if applicable).
- Potential to support local wildlife and to restore wildlife habitat
- Complete any necessary permitting and/or maintenance agreements with relevant agency.
- As funds permit, it is best to choose more-established trees with larger root balls rather than young saplings.
- Acquire, transport and plant!
- Ensure sufficient watering during its first 1-3 years (For the first year especially, trees need regular watering to establish their roots), and ensure proper long-term maintenance, such as pruning.
GOOD TO KNOW
- In urban settings, avoid planting trees with aggressive root systems known to damage the surrounding pavement, sidewalks, and substructures. Problematic trees include species of Ficus, Sycamore, and Ash.
- Costs for planting a tree vary widely based on site preparation costs, tree type, and the maturity of the tree planted. Trees that are more mature when planted , while costlier, are a more-reliable choice for having a healthy tree.
PARTNERSHIPS
- TreePeople
- LADWP City Plants Program
- North East Trees
- Local Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) can be valuable partners in funding tree planting and ensuring proper long-term care. BIDs for the City of Los Angeles can be located here.
RESOURCES
- TreePeople’s How-to guidance
- SelecTree: Tree Characteristics Glossary
- Talking Trees: An Urban Forestry Toolkit for Local Governments
- City of LA Tree Planting Standard Plan
- City of LA Street Tree Selection Guide
- City of LA Permission to Plant and/or Care for a Street Tree agreement
COMPATIBLE TOOLS
- Community Garden
- Drought Tolerant Planting
- Green Alley
- Temporary Pedestrian Plaza
- Underpass Activation
- Graywater Reuse
- Storm Drain Mining for Stornwater Reuse
- Water Efficient Irrigation
A roof surface designed to reflect radiation from the sun and absorb less heat, thereby reducing heat transfer into the building/structure.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Cool roofs come in a variety of materials and applications including shingles, metal, clay tiles, concrete tiles, paint, and sheet coverings. Although white provides the most solar reflectance, highly-reflective roofs can come in many colors.
- Highly-reflective roofs are typically 3 to 5 times more reflective than conventional roofs.
- Conventional roofs can reach temperatures of 150 degrees or more during the summer, while a cool roof under the same conditions could stay more than 50 degrees cooler. (CaliforniaFIRST.org)
- A cool roof can save up to 15% annually on air conditioning for a single-story building. (CaliforniaFIRST.org)
- Cool roofs can be easily integrated into new construction projects or when part or all of an existing roof needs to be replaced.
- In many cases, costs for cool roofs are competitive with traditional roofing options. Cool roofs can quickly pay for themselves in energy savings.
- Maintenance costs are similar to standard roofs.
FUNDING SOURCES
- LA Department of Water and Power
- Pacific Gas and Electric
- Southern California Edison
- For additional funding sources, see “Get Funding ”
RESOURCES
COMPATIBLE TOOLS
- Shade
- Pop-Up Retail
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