TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to accept the grant award, and to execute all documents necessary to implement and administer the San Gabriel River Walk project through the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy; and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PR) by $622,600.
(Districts 4,5)
DISCUSSION
The Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) has awarded $622,600 in funding to the City of Long Beach through Proposition 50, the California Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Bond Act of 2002, for the San Gabriel River Walk project (Project). This first phase of the Project consists of the development of a publicly accessible multi-use pedestrian and bicycle trail through a restored native landscape along the western bank of the lower San Gabriel River between Spring Street and Atherton Street (see Attachment #1). Currently, the 30-acre area is closed to the public and is used as a utility right-of-way.
Specifically, the Project consists of site preparation and soil treatment, installation of a 1.5 mile, 12-foot wide decomposed granite trail, installation of irrigation (for plant establishment period and supplemental irrigation during periods of drought), limited restoration of native and California friendly plant communities (trees, natural and low maintenance meadow grasses and wildflowers), trail seating, and interpretive signage.
Future phases of the Project will provide for additional native landscaping. One community meeting has already been held to provide for public comment on the proposed project, with another public meeting scheduled for August 4, 2005.
Once restored, the Project will be a place for native, endangered and threatened species, both plant and animal, to find habitat, food, shelter, and nesting sites. The site will also provide opportunities for bird watching, walking and other passive recreational pursuits.
In addition, educatio...
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