Transforming Ashland Walk, an existing passageway between the City of Santa Monica's beach parking lots and its Main Street shopping area, from a traditional park space to a water conservation demonstration environment, is a logical next step for the City. Once built, this space will be the largest in a group of public demonstration gardens already in place at multiple locations in the City.

A series of meetings with key City staff in a range of departments, together with three interactive public workshops led by Meléndrez adjacent to the site, informed the program for, and proposed design of, the space. Based on interaction with project stakeholders (including residents to the north and south of the site, as well as the business community on Main Street), five goals were established for the design: making an opportunity for public education, maintaining a connection between the beach and Main Street, creating a relevant and identifiable space, and ensuring that the evolving landscape is documented.

The future, sustainable Ashland Walk has been re-visioned as an urban coastal canyon, formed by the natural and cultural dynamics impacting the site. The landscape is intended to celebrate water and to evoke the southern California coastline's indigenous processes, materials and formations. The design focuses on water in the environment and community, as well as responsible water use.

A series of coastal strand and coastal salt marsh environments is envisioned with pathways of pervious, reused and recycled paving materials, recycled fencing materials, energy efficient site lighting and environmentally friendly site furniture. When built, the space will embody practices that challenge the community to commit to responsible solutions in future development.