Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative (LANI) was selected by the City of Los Angeles, the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council (NWSPNC) and the Peck Park Advisory Board (PAB) to facilitate a conceptual planning and design project for Peck Park Canyon. LANI's community engagement process is designed to achieve community consensus, resulting in the development of a plan for Peck Park Canyon that will serve as a catalyst to launch future project area clean-up, design and construction of improvements.

Throughout 2004 and 2005, LANI worked with the local community to identify the key needs of Peck Park Canyon as well as improvements and programs aimed at addressing the identified needs. A steering committee of local stakeholders selected a design team (Mia Lehrer & Associates) to assist them in identifying improvement alternatives for the Canyon. In March 2005, the steering committee recommended improvements which consisted of the following key features:

• Trail improvements that address safety, functionality, way-finding, recreational needs, as well as minimize maintenance requirements and connect to a regional trail system;
• Storm water management/water quality improvements, such as bio-swales and energy dissipation and filtration fields, that reduce downstream and slope erosion, control storm water run-off, filter and degrade storm water pollutants and capture trash and debris prior to release in the San Pedro Bay, thus improving water quality, trail safety and minimizing maintenance requirements;
• Native plant enhancement improvements that provide opportunities for nature education, slope and riverbank protection, erosion control, improved water quality and improved wildlife habitat;
• Alternative vegetation management practices that meet maintenance and Fire Code requirements without use of noisy and polluting machinery while introducing animals back into the area; and
• Additional improvements aimed at preventing dumping and improving safety through use of decorative barriers, guardrails and bridges.

These recommendations are represented in the Peck Park Canyon Conceptual Plan which has been endorsed by the NWSPNC, the PAB and has strong support from community members as well as several City departments.