Polluted Alleyways Turned Green
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Los Angeles has more than 900 miles of alleyways, covering twice the area of New York’s Central Park. But they’ve got a reputation as a magnet for dumping trash and crime.
Sonia Rodriguez lived within walking distance of her kids’ school and the grocery store, but it always felt safer to drive—until Sonia and a group of dedicated locals transformed the alleyways and reclaimed the space. |
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The Parque Padrinos group was initially formed to lead community engagement efforts toward renovating Kiwanis Methow Park in Wenatchee, Washington. Once a gem in the community, the park had fallen into disrepair and become unsafe.
Thanks to tireless efforts from the Parque Padrinos and cofounder Teresa Bendito, more than 500 community members voted on the park’s redesign and amenities. Since the renovation, Kiwanis Methow Park is once again a popular community hub, offering recreation, fitness, and social opportunities for the 5,000 people, primarily Mexican American immigrants, for whom the park is within a 10-minute walk of home.
Parque Padrinos and Teresa have become powerful advocates for change! |
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“Plan or be planned for” — motto of the Mantua Civic Association (MCA).
Philadelphia’s Mantua neighborhood has a reputation for high poverty and crime rates. One of the ways the MCA and its President De’Wayne Drummond planned to improve the neighborhood was by advocating for a much-needed family friendly park and playground.
TPL led a participatory design process, actively seeking feedback and input from residents. When asked what their vision was for the space, community members said they wanted new play equipment, safety surfacing, and a place for parents to sit while their children played.
But 37th and Mt. Vernon Playground became much more than that. Today, MCA uses the playground as an anchor in the community, utilizing the space as a platform for food distribution, voter information, and community engagement. |
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