Streets for people: Implementing Complete Streets at the neighborhood level

One of the key focus areas of RENEW (Renewing Environments for Nutrition, Exercise, and Wellness) LA County, a CPPW-funded initiative, includes securing the adoption of Complete Streets policies in select Los Angeles City Community Plans. In addition, RENEW LA County is working with the City of Los Angeles to implement the Streets for People (S4P) Complete Streets demonstration program that will quickly and inexpensively reclaim and transform small-scale, unused or underutilized public right of ways to promote increased physical activity. These safe, accessible and welcoming public spaces will benefit residents, pedestrians, bikers and business owners. S4P is being launched in two stages. Stage one includes implementing three S4P test sites. The goals of implementing the test sites include improving inter-agency collaboration, expediting city permitting processes, and developing an application packet for future projects. Stage two includes the public launch of the S4P program to neighborhood groups and community-based organizations. Much of the labor, materials and community-engagement activities will be volunteered by community members. Materials will include paint and movable planters, tables, chairs and shade structures. The presentation will discuss the lessons learned, barriers and successes encountered during the development of the S4P project that could inform future land use projects that seek to increase physical activity.