A website created by Glendale's Community Development Department has revealed new details about Space 134, the city's $150-million plan to build 24 acres of park space atop a trenched stretch of the 134 Freeway.

The proposed linear green space, slated for a .7 mile stretch between Central and Balboa Avenues, would span from the city's Downtown district to adjacent residential neighborhoods to the east.  Glendale officials have trumpeted the project's potential to improve public health, reduce pollution and strengthen transit connections to the rest of Los Angeles County.

Although an exact program and design have not been set at this point in time, city officials have worked with landscape architecture firm Melendrez to generate a concept plan for Space 134 through feedback generated through a series of community outreach meetings.

The segment of the park between Central Avenue and Louise Street would serve Glendale's Downtown, with space for restaurants, farmer's markets, concerts and other large events.  The plan also envisions a mobility hub within the Downtown park, featuring a bike kiosk, carsharing services and a station for a future light rail or bus rapid transit line within or parallel to the 134 Freeway.

East of Louise Street, Space 134 would transition to a neighborhood-serving park, with greater focus on recreational amenities.  The conceptual plan suggests the inclusion of athletic courts, a community garden, fitness equipment, a dog park and a children's play area.

Glendale currently plans to fund the construction and operation of the park by tapping into a variety of public and philanthropic resources.  The project would most likely be built in phases, starting with a Downtown segment between Central Avenue and Brand Boulevard.  Groundbreaking is not expected until after 2020.

Space 134 may find itself in competition with a number of similar projects throughout Southern California.  With little undeveloped land left to preserve as green space, other cities have also looked to freeway cap parks as a means of creating green space, including Los Angeles and Santa Monica.  La Cañada Flintridge, located north of Glendale, has already completed one such project atop a below-grade section of the 210 Freeway.