Urban ecologist Monica Palta, a UC Cooperative Extension specialist with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, is leading research to better understand the value of small-scale green spaces in urban areas. Palta and her colleagues at UC Irvine have received funding from the UCI Climate Collaboration to study “pocket parks” and community gardens in cities such as Irvine, Santa Ana, and southeast Los Angeles.
Palta’s work involves cataloguing how people use neighborhood green spaces to help urban planners design parks that serve their communities effectively. She described her approach as “basically trash archeology,” explaining: “A discarded burger wrapper can be a clue to understanding the ways people engage with their neighborhood nature. Is this a place where people have picnics? Maybe birthday parties?” She added, “Not all uses are going to leave remnants behind, but it’s a broader way of trying to figure out what’s happening in the park.”
The research team includes UC Irvine professors Doug Houston, Jessica Debats Garrison, Jason Douglas, and postdoctoral scholar Vivianna Goh. They plan to evaluate 15 mini-parks across three Southern California cities. Their goal is to assess both environmental outcomes—such as surface temperature using thermal cameras, air quality, carbon sequestration, and rainwater infiltration—and social benefits by engaging directly with park users.
“If this is what the future of greening looks like, I think it’s an important type of environment to study,” said Palta.
These pocket parks may provide resilience against climate change impacts like flooding and heatwaves. Low-income neighborhoods often lack tree canopy and permeable surfaces; small green spaces can help address these vulnerabilities by soaking up rainwater and providing shade.
To measure intangible benefits, Palta conducts interviews with park-goers about their preferences—a practice she calls “sidewalk science.” She explained: “It’s like a very low-stress focus group.” Her engagement strategy includes showing participants photos of different park features for feedback while offering information on ecosystem services such as water conservation provided by native plant gardens.
Palta noted that her role as an extension specialist involves facilitating these kinds of exchanges: “This kind of friendly and straightforward information exchange is what it means to be an extension specialist with UC ANR.” Her skills in community engagement contributed to her involvement in this project.
The research will also examine how community input influences new park designs. If discrepancies arise between public vision and actual blueprints or programming for new parks, Palta hopes her findings will help city planners improve alignment with community needs.
Depending on initial results, there are plans to expand the research statewide. The selection process for specific study sites is ongoing in collaboration with partners such as the City of Santa Ana Parks and Recreation Department and the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust.
Community members interested in having their local pocket park or garden included can contact Doug Houston (houston@uci.edu) or Monica Palta (mpalta@uci.edu), or reach out via Instagram (@urbanwaterca).
