Across from an auto shop on Venice Boulevard and Albany Street lies a narrow, sunken area filled with overgrown shrubs and, unfortunately, trash. What was once intended to collect and filter stormwater is now a dumping ground for plastic bags, chip bags, and other litter.
This bioswale was part of a broader initiative started by former Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2018 to enhance city streets, introduce more greenery, and better handle stormwater. However, locals in Pico Union have noticed that many bioswales, including this one, are falling short of their purpose.
Aurora Corona, a dedicated community organizer, highlights that around 23 bioswales in central and South Los Angeles appear abandoned. Many lack the vegetation needed to perform their functions, raising concerns about their effectiveness.
Heberto Portobanco, who runs a Nicaraguan restaurant nearby, recalls when he first noticed the bioswale outside his restaurant about eight years ago. It became a bigger concern two years ago when someone tripped and fell into it due to its unfinished state. Thankfully, the city eventually added soil to level it out.
“The idea is good, but if it’s not maintained, it can become dangerous,” Portobanco explains. He wishes for more attention to safety and cleanliness, noting that a clean bioswale could enhance the neighborhood’s appearance and encourage pride among residents.
Corona shares similar frustrations. She once organized a cleanup in 2024 and realized the bioswales were neglected. This motivated her to take action. She transformed a nearby neglected area into a community green space with local funding, turning it into a thriving environment filled with drought-resistant plants.
Corona believes that engaging locals can make a difference. She envisions an “Adopt-a-Bioswale” program that allows residents to maintain these areas, similar to existing programs for medians. With support and a sense of ownership, she feels residents would take pride in caring for their community.
Steve Kang, head of the city’s Board of Public Works, acknowledges that many bioswales are treated as trash dumps rather than functional green spaces. He is working on a program that mirrors the “Adopt-a-Median” initiative, aiming for a launch in 2026. This would allow community members to take responsibility for the bioswales with the city supplying tools and resources.
If such programs succeed, the once-neglected bioswales can be transformed. “Taking care of these spaces can change how people view and treat the neighborhood,” Corona points out.
Investing in our environment isn’t just about beautification; it can improve community spirit too. With the right support and community efforts, these bioswales can return to their original purpose, bringing both ecological benefits and a renewed sense of pride to residents. For further details on community beautification efforts, you can check resources like Los Angeles County Public Works.
