Over the last several months, Climate Resolve has worked with the community of Canoga Park on implementing new street designs they would like to see around the Metro Orange Line Station at Sherman Way. The project aims to address a number of concerns: improving biking and walking safety, capturing and managing water, reducing heat and its impacts, and providing community amenities. As extreme heat days become more frequent in the San Fernando Valley, it is especially important to incorporate designs that will decrease the urban heat island effect and improve the lives of Angelenos.
Climate Resolve, alongside StreetsLA, Alta Planning + Design, and Council District 3 have hosted a series of workshops in the last year near the Canoga Park Farmers Market Owensmouth Ave., where the Farmers Market is held, is one of the streets with proposed designs. In April 2019, we first introduced the project to the community and asked what new street designs they would like to see. This April workshop complemented an online survey that was distributed to the community via presentations and talking with riders at the Sherman Way station. At the second workshop in September 2019, after learning what designs were popular and which were not, we presented renderings of the street designs and explained the difference between the existing conditions of the streets and the climate and quality of life benefits that would be provided with the new street designs. In our latest workshop in January 2020, we showed attendees video renderings of the potential improvements to Sherman Way, Owensmouth Ave., and the Orange Line Bike Path.
Design improvements like the addition of shade trees, cool pavement, shade canopies and hydration stations will make it comfortable for families to be out. Another project goal is to improve walkability, bikeability and accessibility to transit by including bike paths, landscape buffers and new sidewalks. You can check out the video renderings here!
Overall, the Canoga Park community liked the design improvements and are very excited about the completion of the project. The City and Council District 3 are actively seeking state and local funds to support and move forward with the project.
To read more about Climate Resolve’s work in Canoga Park, please click here.
