SOUTH-CENTRAL : Program to Turn Alleys Into Gardens Is Begun
A program to clean up littered, crime-plagued alleys by turning them into community gardens and recreation areas got under way Monday in South-Central Los Angeles.
“For far too long, these alleys have been treated as private dumping grounds, often by trash haulers and other contractors completely oblivious to the detrimental effects of illegal dumping,” Councilwoman Rita Walters said. “We hope this program will help turn the tide.”
In many South-Central neighborhoods, alleys have become clogged with discarded tires, furniture and construction debris. Prostitutes and drug dealers also ply their trades there.
According to public works officials, the city spends $4 million a year cleaning up the alleys. More than 40% of all illegal dumping is in South-Central, Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas said.
Under the conversion program, the city will close off nuisance alleys and turn them over to adjacent property owners who want to spruce them up for community use. Participants in the pilot program will have to pay to install gates to block off the alleys, and must assume responsibility for maintenance and liability.
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