TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to study feasibility of acquiring open space for public park development along LA River consistent with the Long Beach RiverLink plan and the Lower LA River Master Plan and report back within 60 days.
DISCUSSION
Developing new public access and open space along the Los Angeles River has been a long-standing goal in Long Beach and Los Angeles County.
Long Beach developed the RiverLink plan in 2007, identifying opportunities along the L.A. River for additional park space. The Lower L.A. River Revitalization Plan was developed in 2018, following Assembly Bill 530 by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.
Long Beach has established many acres of parks and open space along the Los Angeles River in recent years that are now accessible to the community, with more projects under development.
These include 32 acres of the DeForest Wetlands, and 3.5 acres at Molina Park, both of which opened in 2018. Los Angeles County opened more than 35 acres of the Dominguez Gap Wetlands in 2008, which provides additional trails and open space adjacent to the river. Other projects that are currently under design or development include the Drake-Chavez Greenbelt, the Hamilton Loop, the Wrigley Greenbelt, LB-MUST, and the 51st Street Greenbelt.
All of these park projects are on publicly-owned parcels.
We would like to request the City Manager to assess the feasibility of acquiring additional open space adjacent to the Los Angeles River, including potential funding sources at the local, county, state and federal levels, and report back to the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact analysis was able to be conducted.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
AL AUSTIN
COUNCILMAN, EIGHTH DISTRICT
MARY ZENDEJAS
COUNCILWOMAN, FIRST DISTRICT
ROBERTO URANGA
COUNCILMEMBER, SEVENTH DISTRICT