Parks, sensory gardens and mental health: Shepherd describes Jordan Downs projects

Shepherd said one focus of her work has been parks in Watts and the Jordan Downs redevelopment, where designers aimed for parks for 'all ages and uses.' She described Pearl Park with children's equipment, Turtle Park as open green space and Century Gateway Park featuring a sensory garden and natural California plantings to support quieter, restorative uses.

"So in managing that project, we wanted to ensure that there were parks for all ages and uses," Shepherd said, describing sensory elements like lavender and rosemary for smell and plantings intended to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to add auditory and visual stimulation. She said those features were intended to provide low-cost, everyday mental-health benefits to residents who may not otherwise access botanical gardens or coastal recreation.

Shepherd framed these design choices as part of a broader strategy to create accessible, restorative outdoor spaces inside dense urban housing developments.