1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
In 2010, the Dominguez Enhancement & Engagement Project (The Deep) was initiated, with the intention of "revitaliz[ing] 20,000 square feet of cracked and uneven pavement and graffiti throughout what was then characterized by the community as “Triple U” (Undesirable, Unsafe and Unusable)" (Ref. 1). The project was intended to provide multiple benefits, including "creat[ion of] passive and active recreation opportunities for park-poor communities, reestablish[ment of] native riparian plantings and captur[ing of] stormwater before entering the channel along the Dominguez Creek in cities of Gardena and Hawthorne" (Ref. 2). In terms of nature-based solutions, the DEEP project primarily intended to focus efforts on the restoration of the riparian habitat and the planting of trees so that a natural corridor could be created which would provide "countless...benefits to the surrounding community" (Refs. 3 & 4).
Quantitative targets
Based on the references available, it appears that quantitative targets developed for the intervention were limited to the goal of revitalising an area of 20,000 square feet (1858 square metres) (Ref. 1).
Monitoring indicators defined
Evidence was not accessible to suggest that specific monitoring indicators were defined for the intervention, however, the project and its intended consequences have been summarised as follows, "The DEEP is a community and youth engagement initiative that will green the Dominguez Creek through sustainable landscape standards, create watershed awareness and provide recreational opportunities for park-poor communities in Hawthorne, Gardena and surrounding Los Angeles neighborhoods" (Ref. 8).
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Implementation activities
The following implementation activities were undertaken:
- The project was designed through collaboration with students from the Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) and the surrounding community (Ref. 1), "The ECHS students played an active role on the team, designing site elements and leading the community engagement effort. They hit the neighbourhood streets around the project to present their ideas to residents and passersby and they ultimately won the support of the community who was eager for the implementation" (Ref. 1);
- The LA County Flood Control District installed new irrigation the trees and shrubs to be planted (Ref. 1), they also "amended the soil" (Ref. 1) and installed "fencing, gates, signage, and granite benches, and resurfaced the bike path" (Ref. 6);
- In September 2012, "The DEEP project was introduced to downtown Los Angeles pedestrians on a sign of the “park”...[and] SWA LA created the “Displaced Forest” installation, a mini-urban forest for a shaded respite from the harsh downtown streetscape" (Ref. 1).
- The mini urban forest installation was supported by the help of Sunny Slope Nursery who donated 20 boxed trees (Ref. 1). The trees from the urban forest were afterwards relocated to The DEEP site and planted (Ref. 1);
- In December 2012, a community Planting Day saw over 70 volunteers clean up the Dominguez Creek corridor and plant 21 new, native trees and more than 600 shrubs and groundcover plants donated from local nurseries (Refs. 1 & 6);
- Whilst the timeline on this aspect is a little unclear, it appears that a further 60 trees were planted along the Dominguez Creek to create a "60-tree urban canopy" (Ref. 4); and
- Plants were located "in areas selected by youth to enhance awareness and encourage public use of the channel" (Ref. 11).
Native plants were used for the project as they require "minimal irrigation, thus conserving the community's water sources" and provide increased habitat for pollinators, which are "essential for the development of the natural environment" (ref 5), and the project further intended to promote "sustainable landscape standards [and] create watershed awareness" (ref 8).
- The project was designed through collaboration with students from the Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) and the surrounding community (Ref. 1), "The ECHS students played an active role on the team, designing site elements and leading the community engagement effort. They hit the neighbourhood streets around the project to present their ideas to residents and passersby and they ultimately won the support of the community who was eager for the implementation" (Ref. 1);
- The LA County Flood Control District installed new irrigation the trees and shrubs to be planted (Ref. 1), they also "amended the soil" (Ref. 1) and installed "fencing, gates, signage, and granite benches, and resurfaced the bike path" (Ref. 6);
- In September 2012, "The DEEP project was introduced to downtown Los Angeles pedestrians on a sign of the “park”...[and] SWA LA created the “Displaced Forest” installation, a mini-urban forest for a shaded respite from the harsh downtown streetscape" (Ref. 1).
- The mini urban forest installation was supported by the help of Sunny Slope Nursery who donated 20 boxed trees (Ref. 1). The trees from the urban forest were afterwards relocated to The DEEP site and planted (Ref. 1);
- In December 2012, a community Planting Day saw over 70 volunteers clean up the Dominguez Creek corridor and plant 21 new, native trees and more than 600 shrubs and groundcover plants donated from local nurseries (Refs. 1 & 6);
- Whilst the timeline on this aspect is a little unclear, it appears that a further 60 trees were planted along the Dominguez Creek to create a "60-tree urban canopy" (Ref. 4); and
- Plants were located "in areas selected by youth to enhance awareness and encourage public use of the channel" (Ref. 11).
Native plants were used for the project as they require "minimal irrigation, thus conserving the community's water sources" and provide increased habitat for pollinators, which are "essential for the development of the natural environment" (ref 5), and the project further intended to promote "sustainable landscape standards [and] create watershed awareness" (ref 8).
Type of NBS project
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
It appears that this intervention included some level of technological innovation through the restoration of grey infrastructure (resurfacing and painting of bicycle and pedestrian paths) but in combination with the introduction of green (trees and plants) and restoration of riparian habitat which had previously been lacking from the area (Refs. 1 & 6).
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
It appears that From Lot to Spot have conducted similar activities in the past, hence this innovation could be considered to be copied/derived from one of their previous initiative's, however it appears that this was quite possibly the first instance of all of the stakeholders involved collaborating on a project together.
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The project is referred to by From Lot to Spot (FLTS) when applying for a grant for a different project, suggesting that both partnerships created, and ideas generated, through The DEEP project are being transferred elsewhere, "FLTS will be partnering with SWA Group (http://www.swagroup.com/) on design of the park. FLTS and SWA have partnered on greenspace projects in the last three years including our successful Dominguez Enhancement and Engagement Projects – which converted a vacant, blighted area of the Dominguez Creek in Gardena into a active bicycle path while restoring the natural habitat that existed along the creek" (Ref. 7).
