Public streets are for the public
About
Open Sidewalks LA is a volunteer group of neighbors organizing around the issue of public access to public streets. We are working to remove four unpermitted gates on Van Ness, Wilton, Gramercy, and St Andrews streets along Pico Boulevard. These gates privilege wealthy homeowners and create problems for working-class tenants in the neighborhood. The gates also hinder accessibility for seniors and disabled people, limit emergency services and public health sanitation, and block students on their commute to local schools. We have collected nearly 2,000 signatures from residents both north and south of the enclosure in support of removing the gates.
What We Want
- First, the gates must be removed to completely restore vehicle and pedestrian access across all four streets.
- Then, the neighborhood can come together to decide what comes next, whether it’s street improvements, community amenities, or something else.
- ALL residents, both north and south of Pico, must have an equal voice and opportunity for democratic participation in these decisions.
Blog
CD-10 Staff Disrespects Community
Community members confronted CD-10 staff over illegal gates but were met with dismissive responses.
Let’s Open the Gates on Pico Together
Join Open Sidewalks LA in demanding access to public streets at the Olympic Park Neighborhood Council meeting on November 4th at 7 PM.
Unpermitted Gates Privatize Public Streets
In our neighborhood, a private neighborhood association has installed wrought-iron gates blocking access to public roads.
Does Gated Access Actually Prevent Crime? A Case Study
Does gated access reduce crime? A case study in LA's Country Club Park reveals surprising trends that challenge the effectiveness of gates in preventing crime.
Unblock Party
Join us at the Country Club Park gates on August 10th for a free, family-friendly rally to open the Country Club Park gates with food, music and more
Press
Locked gates in historic L.A. neighborhood spark debate in City Council election
Dakota Smith and Caroline Petrow-Cohen via LA Times
The gates fail to address the concerns of the community, despite some calling for their them to remain. It's time for a debate based on facts, not harmful myths.
CD 10 Heather Hutt’s Office Ignores Legal Requirements for Country Club Gates, Sparking Community Outrage
Dianne V. Lawrence via CityWatch
Open Sidewalks LA leads community opposition against illegal gates in Country Club Park despite Heather Hutt's support for the enclosure.
Decades ago, homeowners gated public streets in the name of curbing crime. Now, a group is trying to take them down
Maylin Tu via AfroLA News
Open Sidewalks LA is working to remove decades-old gates that divide the Country Club Park community, aiming to restore public access and promote neighborhood inclusivity.