Urban ecologist Mónica Palta and a team from UC Irvine are investigating the ecological and social value of small green spaces, such as pocket parks and community gardens, in urban areas. Their research aims to help city planners design parks that better serve local communities.
Palta, a specialist with UC Cooperative Extension in partnership with the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of California, studies how people interact with neighborhood green spaces. By cataloging uses and benefits, her work supports more responsive park design.
“Basically, it’s garbage archaeology in a way,” said Palta, describing her method of examining litter to understand park usage. “Not all uses leave traces, but it’s a broader way to try to figure out what’s happening in the park.”
Last year, Palta’s team received funding from UCI Climate Collaboration to study micro-scale nature fragments across Irvine, Santa Ana, and southeast Los Angeles. The group includes UC Irvine professors Doug Houston, Jessica Debats Garrison, Jason Douglas, and postdoctoral researcher Vivianna Goh. They plan to evaluate 15 microparks for environmental and social impacts.
California cities are increasingly adopting distributed approaches to urban greening by developing small-scale projects on individual properties—transforming vacant lots into native plant gardens.
“If this is the future of greening efforts, I think it’s an important environment to study,” Palta said.
Small parks not only provide outdoor recreation but may also support environmental resilience as climate change brings more floods and heat waves. Low-income neighborhoods with limited tree cover are especially vulnerable; green spaces can absorb rainwater to reduce flooding and trees offer much-needed shade.
The research team will use thermal cameras to measure surface temperatures at study sites and collect data on air quality, carbon sequestration, and stormwater infiltration. Social science methods will also be used to assess intangible benefits: beyond analyzing litter for clues about activities, Palta conducts informal interviews with park visitors about their preferences—a practice she calls “sidewalk science.”
“It’s like a low-stress focus group,” said Palta.
Her outreach involves showing people photos of different park features and asking them to choose favorites. In return, she offers brief scientific lessons about their choices so participants recognize ecosystem services they benefit from. “Maybe it hasn’t occurred to them before that a native plant garden could conserve water,” Palta explained.
This direct exchange typifies the role of UC ANR extension specialists. According to its official website, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) enhances lives statewide by sharing science-based practices; it operates offices in all 58 California counties along with nine Research and Extension Centers serving as living laboratories across diverse ecosystems.
In addition to mapping sites under study, the researchers will evaluate planning processes for new parks—looking at how public input is incorporated into designs or programming. If plans don’t reflect community desires, Palta can provide tools for city planners seeking better alignment.
Depending on project outcomes, there may be potential for expanding this research statewide.
Parks included in the study will be selected with help from grant partners such as Santa Ana Parks & Recreation Department and Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust.
Community members interested in having their local micropark or community garden considered for mapping or nomination as a study site can contact Doug Houston (houston@uci.edu) or Mónica Palta (mpalta@uci.edu), or reach out via Instagram (@urbanwaterca).
UC ANR is affiliated with the University of California (source) and applies university expertise through research initiatives supporting communities across California (source). Glenda Humiston serves as vice president (source).