2nd Street Parkway Gets Weeded
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — After two years of neglect, the narrow strip of landscaped parkway on the 2nd street side of the Caltrans building has finally been given some overdue attention.
The weedy overgrowth that had taken over the space has newly been replaced by a three-tone wood chip design that creates a curvy pattern around the parkway's trees.
Those trees seemed headed for removal back in 2006, when the city posted notices that it intended to pull them out and widen the roadway as part of the Police Headquarters project. The community organized opposition to the widening and the tree removal, and the plan was halted.
Or so it seemed.
The same project popped back up in 2008, and was again killed, with Councilwoman Jan Perry's office stepping in to say that a deal had been reached with DOT to spare the parkway.
Amidst it all, care for the space seemed to fall by the wayside. The once flowery space had been left to the weeds until the new design appeared.
klaus on February 02, 2010, at 06:28PM – #1
somehow i prefer the natural green weeds over the dead wood chips design.
Bert Green (@bgfa) on February 02, 2010, at 10:16PM – #2
That block of 2nd St is the best street to walk in all of downtown.
E. on February 03, 2010, at 08:00AM – #3
I prefer the weeds. At least they're green, and they were a reminder that not everything in the area has to be pounded and molded by the concrete hand of man.
Phillip on February 03, 2010, at 08:44AM – #4
I prefer the "before" green.
BaddicusFinch on February 03, 2010, at 10:00AM – #5
I kinda like the design...and takes little water. Wouldn't work in most neighborhoods...if we had that in my area growing up, the neighborhood kids would've kicked that wood chip mulch all over the place.
DOT would replace all the sidewalks with more lanes if they had their way.
David Kennedy on February 03, 2010, at 10:01AM – #6
I am intrigued by Bert's opinion this is the best block in all downtown. For me there are so many blocks which could similiarly praised. Hard for me to select one. But, I'll give it some thought.
Chris S. on February 03, 2010, at 11:28AM – #7
i LOVE THE DESIGN! It's much better than out of control / dying weeds. The curves draw interest and break up the straight lines of the street / sidewalk. Good Work!
Bert Green (@bgfa) on February 03, 2010, at 03:09PM – #8
David, I like Second Street because it has a green canopy of trees on both sides. It's the only block that I know of that has nothing but blank walls on either side yet is still a delight to walk on, because of the trees and the wide sidewalk on the north side.
There are many other blocks that I like too, but this one is my personal favorite.
Rover on February 03, 2010, at 06:30PM – #9
I AM SO EXCITED that all the dog (or other) crap was removed from the weed space!!! Weeds, trees, it didn't matter compared to the volume of p o o p!
DawnC on February 04, 2010, at 07:49AM – #10
I suspect the weeds were only green because of recent rain. In a few months the wood chips would be winning for sure.
Kurtis Blow on February 04, 2010, at 09:01AM – #11
I like this a lot. Thumbs Up!