Projects – Urbano Strategies

PARKS

Jordan Downs Freedom Tree Park (2019-2024)

The Freedom Tree Park, a 1.25 acre community-designed park in the Jordan Downs Redevelopment in Watts. The park will include over 100 local and drought tolerant plants, an interactive arroyo water feature, and 35 trees. The Freedom Tree Park is named to memorialize a lost community landmark that represents the spirit of Watts resiliency. The landmark was a safe space where the community would gather around.

Jordan Downs CHILDREN’S Park (2023)

The Children’s Park, a 0.489 acre park planned in Watts. The park will be stationed in between two housing phases (Jordan Downs S4 & S5) providing its residents recreational opportunities. The park proposes to feature play structures, a basketball court, lawn and open space, local and drought tolerant plants.

Jordan Downs CENTURY GATEWAY Park (2022-2023)

The Century Gateway park, a 0.62 acre park in Watts into a community-designed nature-inspired park. The park will include local and drought tolerant plants, a picnic and BBQ area, and the planting of 35 trees. The park is the companion park to the Freedom Tree Park.

ALONDRA GATEWAY PARK (2019-2021)

The Alondra Gateway Park proposes to convert a 20,528 sq.ft. vacant lot in the City of Compton into a community-designed, equestrian and nature-inspired park.

HUNTINGTON PARK VETERANS Park (2019)

The Veterans Park in Huntington Park converted a corridor of 10 vacant lots into a linear park with a variety of amenities including fitness areas, nature play areas, and will feature 220 trees and native plants. We led a robust canvassing engagement detail and hosted a final design unveiling.

MOBILITY AND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

JORDAN DOWNS MOBILITY & SAFE STREETS PLANNING (2024)

Urbano Strategies, in partnership with The Michaels Organization, led community engagement efforts at Jordan Downs. Through workshops and a community walking audit, residents co-designed a plan for safer streets and improved walkability.

SLATE-Z UNIVERSAL BASIC MOBILITY (2024-2025)

Urbano Strategies, in partnership with SLATE-Z, leads community engagement efforts in South LA executing outreach events and activities. Our interactive workshops strive to create spaces where South LA residents feel heard, valued, and empowered to shape the future of mobility in South LA

Community GardenS

Stanford-Avalon Community Garden (2019 -2024)

The Stanford-Avalon Community Garden isa 7.71 acres site Urbano farm located in Watts bordering the South Central community stretching across 10 city blocks serving over 200 families. The farm holds a significant historical legacy, once represented by the South Central Farm, which had nine distinct owners and a history of eminent domain issues. The City of LA offered this land as an alternative site, where many of our local farmers chose to relocate.

San pedro Community Garden (2019-2024)

The San Pedro Community Garden that occupies a six-acre parcel of city-owned land in the otherwise highly industrialized area of the blue-collar harbor community of San Pedro. The garden was formally established under Mayor Tom Bradley’s Neighborhood Gardens and Farms program in the early 1970s. The site has 224 family plots and several communal plots that provide multi benefits to multiple generations of Angelenos.

FLORENCE-FIRESTONE COMMUNITY GARDEN (2019-2024)

The Florence-Firestone Community Garden opened in October 2012. It consists of two parcels of land located underneath power lines which are leased from Southern California Edison. The garden is in the residential part of Florence-Firestone on Pace Ave, one lot on 96th st. a second parcel on 98th st. supporting 100 local families.

WILMINGTON COMMUNITY GARDEN (2022-2024)

The Wilmington Community Garden features 38 garden plots, a communal tool shed, and a shared picnic area. We host public meetings, community-driven beautification projects, and organize elections.

LENNOX COMMUNITY GARDEN (2019-2024)

The Lennox Community Garden features 23 garden plots, a communal tool shed, a communal composting area, a shared picnic area, a green wall of “bougainvilleas.” The site is encircled with 8 trees along the parkway in front of the garden and on the side of the garden.

HEART OF WATTS COMMUNITY GARDEN (2019-2022)

The Heart of Watts Community Garden located in Watts in front of Jordan High School. The community garden is approximately 4500 sq.ft. featuring 26 garden plots, a community gathering area, a garden tool shed, a community mural along the wall, and a welcoming Heart of Watts arch sign.

NEW BEGINNINGS COMMUNITY GARDEN (2019-2022)

The New Beginnings Community Garden is located in Watts. The community garden is approximately 6500 sq. ft. that used to be a dumping ground after a home that burned down many years ago. The community garden features a community gathering area, a garden tool shed, a community mural along the wall and has 26 raised beds.

CRENSHAW COMMUNITY GARDEN (2023-2025)

Founded in the 1970s, the Crenshaw Community Garden is an oasis in one the most densely populated neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The 36 plots average an ample 10’ x 20’, and the crops reflect the vast diversity of the surrounding neighborhoods. The site serves the garden members and their families and friends who help out and enjoy this green community space.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND ENGAGEMENT

HEAL THE BAY: SAFE CLEAN WATER PROGRAM (2020-2025)

Urbano strategies, in collaboration with Heal the Bay lead community engagement for the Safe Clean Water Program in the South and Central Santa Monica Bay Watershed areas. The Safe Clean Water Program provides local, dedicated funding for stormwater and urban runoff project and scientific studies to increase our local water supply, improve water quality, and protect public health.

Carreón Group: Groundswell for water justice (2023-2024)

Urbano Strategies, in collaboration with Carreón Group, organized a community-powered initiative empowering our communities to advocate for water justice in California. We mobilized a diverse coalition of organizers, community leaders, and stakeholders to Sacramento during the 2024 open legislative session.

URBANO DEVELOPMENT

JORDAN DOWNS PHASE S2 COMMUNITY TOPONYM (2023)

Jordan Downs Phase S2 is an 81-unit development that The Michaels Organization in partnership with the HACLA. JDS2 includes 17 replacement units, 32 replacement units, 31 regular Project Based Vouchers, & 1 manager unit for a total of 81 units. JDS2 has four walkup buildings, one larger podium building with a parking structure, and a community room. Urbano Strategies led a 3-series workshops to create a community-driven toponym identified as Sky at Jordan Downs.

JORDAN DOWNS PHASE S4 COMMUNITY TOPONYM (2024)

The Jordan Downs S4 as a 90-unit project is integrated with a blend of diverse dwelling options and multi-family apartments which will include 56 replacement units and 34 non-replacement units (23 affordable and 11 unrestricted market rate units including a manager’s unit), all centered by a community park. Urbano Strategies leads a 3-series workshop and a festival to create a community-driven toponym identified by the community.

JORDAN DOWNS PHASE S5 COMMUNITY TOPONYM (2024)

The Jordan Downs S5 is planned for 75 units, including 40 replacement units and 35 non- replacement units. 26 of the non-replacement units will be affordable (including 16 units for unhoused families), and 9 will be unrestricted market rate units, including a manager’s unit. Phase S5 will include an early childhood education space for 40 infants or toddlers to serve the Jordan Downs community. Urbano Strategies leads a 3-series workshop and a festival to create a community-driven toponym identified by the community.

CULTURAL ARTS

JORDAN DOWNS COMMUNITY MURALS (2024)

Urbano Strategies, in collaboration with The Michaels Organization, is excited to announce the creation of two community murals in the Jordan Downs Neighborhood in Watts. We are working with community muralists to create a community vision for two community mural that align with our proposed themes.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS

FREEDOM FARMS: CRENSHAW COMMUNITY GARDEN (2024-2025)

The Crenshaw Community Garden is undergoing a transformation with support from the Freedom Farms Program, in partnership with LACGC and Partnership for Growth LA. We are leading a series of engagements, including: a Project Kick Off Meeting for gardeners to unveil project objectives and foster collaborative discussions; our Garden Health Assessment, evaluating existing infrastructure and capturing the priorities of our gardeners; through Design and Planning, we are shaping the future of our gardens, weaving together sustainability and accessibility; and we will be hosting a Community Garden Groundbreaking Build Day.

LADWP CD15 WATER AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY (2024-2025)

Urbano Strategies, in collaboration with LACGC and with the support of the LADWP, is spearheading a multifaceted project aimed at promoting water conservation and sustainability in the CD15 community of Los Angeles. We will showcase the installation of smart irrigation systems, including inline drip irrigation circuits in community gardens. We will highlight the benefits of turf conversion and offer guidance on accessing the rebates provided by LADWP for turf replacement. Our Energy Efficiency Program will educate participants on energy-efficient practices to further contribute to the LADWP’s energy efficiency goals.

LADWP CITY-WIDE WATER CONSERVATION (2024-2025)

Empower to Conserve, Educate to Sustain Program transforms traditional workshops into dynamic, interactive learning experiences designed to make water conservation education engaging, accessible, and impactful for all participants. By championing water-wise techniques, efficient watering systems, and water-saving practices, we are committed to supporting LADWP’s water conservation efforts. We are hosting Community Sidewalk Engagement Learning Modules, bringing educational content to community areas with high pedestrian traffic. We are organizing a Garden Fiesta Block Party, with interactive workshops, exhibits, and festivities, all centered around water conservation. We will conduct Door-to-Door Canvassing Engagements, engaging with residents at their homes and local small businesses.