Los Angeles River Master Plan Update

448 S. Hill St. 5900 Wilshire Blvd Suite 1008 Suite 401 Los Angeles, CA 90013 Los Angeles, CA 90036 310.957.6100 323.387.3598 www.geosyntec.com www.theolinstudio.com

PROGRESS MEMORANDUM

TO: Carolina Hernandez, P.E., Los Angeles County Public Works

PROJECT: Los Angeles River Master Plan Update

TASK NUMBER: 3.6

SUBJECT: Existing Open Space, Recreation, and Trails

SUBMITTED BY: Jessica M. Henson, RLA, ASLA, OLIN Mark Hanna, Ph.D., P.E., Geosyntec Andrew Dobshinsky, AICP CUD, OLIN Michael Miller, RLA, ASLA, OLIN Nate Wooten, RA, AIA, ASLA, OLIN

DATE: 19 November 2018

MEMO NUMBER: 3.6-4

The following Progress Memorandum summarizes the findings for the Los Angeles River Master Plan Update Task 3.6 related to existing open space, recreation, and trails.

Executive Summary Existing open space along the Los Angeles River corridor is fragmented and limited in quantity relative to overall population and population density. Twelve of fourteen communities directly adjacent to the river corridor do not meet LA County’s adopted goal of 4 acres of local parkland per 1000 people. Furthermore, twelve of seventeen cities within a mile of the river do not meet the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of 2.22 acres per 1000 people. Many of the municipalities within a mile of the river also have goals for park space that are higher than the overall LA County goals.

In addition to the lack of overall open space, several areas along the river lack a mix of park sizes and amenities. Several stretches of the river corridor do not have access to regional parks. In many neighborhoods, open space near the river is difficult to access due to obstructions such as freeways, elevation changes, infrastructural easements, or lack of connectivity across the river corridor for pedestrians and bicyclists. The LA County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) completed a Comprehensive Park Needs Assessment in 2016 that catalogs park amenities as well as walkability to parks. These maps are instructive as they demonstrate a lack of walkable access to local parks along the LA River corridor.

DPR works with numerous city parks and recreation departments, but primarily provides park and recreation opportunities that serve the unincorporated communities of the County through the development of new parks and trails and by updating existing facilities. Since most of the river corridor

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is within incorporated cities, DPR has had less direct control over open space access and amenities adjacent to the river. Remedying the above findings will require creative collaboration with communities along the river or use of land already owned by LA County.

DPR is also responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of multi-use trails. DPR works across jurisdictions toward a goal of developing a regional network of connected multi-use trails for use by cyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians, among other users. DPR currently operates and maintains over 200 miles of multi-use trails throughout LA County including 9 miles along the LA River. DPR has also identified an additional 690 miles of proposed trails throughout the region, including 16 additional miles along the LA River.

Having equitable, safe, inclusive, connective, and accessible parks is critical for public health and social equity. Current research by scholars such as Dr. Richard Jackson of the University of California at Los Angeles and Dr. William Sullivan of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign indicates a relationship between parks and health.1,2,3 Increasing overall acres of park land and access to parks can positively benefit communities by reducing rates of preventable diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

To identify a potential connective framework for the park system along the LA River, existing trails and parks as well as the existing network of utility and infrastructure rights of way that weaves across LA County and the LA River were mapped (See Appendix p. 37). These rights of way may offer opportunities for future open space connections.

Parks and trails were mapped using data from the following sources: • LA County DPR Countywide Parks and Open Space (2015) • LA County DPR Trails (2015) • Metro Active Transportation Strategic Plan Existing and Planned Trails (2014) • Geosyntec/OLIN Literature Review (2018)

1 Rahman T,Cushing RA, Jackson RJ Contributions of built environment to childhood obesity. The Mount Sinai journal of medicine, New York. 2011; 78(1): 49-57.

2 Dannenberg AL, Jackson RJ, Frumkin H, Schieber RA, Pratt M, Kochtitzky C, Tilson HH, The Impact of Community Design and Land-Use Choices on Public Health: A Scientific Research Agenda, American Journal of Public Health. 2003; 93(9): 1500-8.

3 Jiang, B., Zhang, T., & Sullivan, W.C. (2015). Healthy Cities; Mechanisms and research questions regarding the impacts of urban green landscapes on public health and well-being. Landscape Architecture Frontiers, 3 (1), p. 24-35. Published in Mandarin and English.

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Acres of Parkland per Person In 2015, the LA County General Plan set an overall goal of 4 acres of local parkland per 1000 people.4 Most cities along the LA River also have their own goals as set forth in their general plans.

DPR completed a Countywide Parks Needs Assessment in 2016 that considered parkland (acres), park pressure, and park access as part of the criteria to determine overall park need. The assessment ranges from very low to very high need. Many communities and cities along the LA River corridor are within the moderate to high need categories.

In addition to the LA County park needs classifications, the World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 2.22 acres per 1000 people. Cities in the western San Fernando Valley and along the lower LA River do not meet this minimum.

Figure 1: Park acres per 1000 residents in cities along the LA River corridor.

4 LA County Department of Regional Planning. LA County General Plan. 2015. 185.

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Park Size and Amenities

The 2015 LA County General Plan categorizes parks into six classifications: park nodes (<1/4 acre), pocket parks (<3 acres), neighborhood parks (3-10 acres), community parks (10-20 acres), community regional parks (20-100 acres), and regional parks (100+ acres). See Appendix A for a list of all parks within 1 mile of the LA River.

While there are 26 community regional parks and regional parks within 1 mile of the LA River, over 80 percent of these parks are confined to river miles 21 through 47. Further, there are no parks over 100 acres south of Elysian Park, which is just north of Downtown Los Angeles, within 1 mile of the river.

Figure 2: Park sizes along the LA River. Large parks of community regional scale and regional scale are highlighted in purple. Areas south of Downtown LA and west of Sepulveda Basin are outlined in pink to emphasize their lack of regional parks (few purple dots).

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The Countywide Parks Needs Assessment also considered recreation amenities across LA County. There are large concentrations of recreation amenities near Sepulveda Basin, Griffith Park, Downtown Los Angeles, and South Gate.

Figure 3: Distribution of park amenities along the river from light (fewest amenities) to dark (most amenities). City names and river miles are indicated to the left. The lower right illustration is a composite of all amenities, with clusters of dark areas (indicating high numbers of amenities) called out with pink outlines for emphasis.

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Comparing the types of amenities within 1 mile of the upper half (north of river mile 20) and lower half (south of river mile 20) of the river: • both halves have a roughly equal distribution of o baseball fields o soccer fields o pools o senior centers • the southern half has 2+ times as many as the northern half of o basketball courts o community centers o gyms o multi-purpose fields o playgrounds o skateparks • the northern half has 2 times as many as southern half of o tennis courts

Access (Trails and Connectivity) Today, trails provide access to 30 of the 51 river miles, or 60% of the corridor. The County has hundreds of miles of proposed multi-use trails. This includes the closure of gaps in the bike paths along the LA River and Compton Creek. Generally, there is a trail along only one side of the river at a time; only 5 miles offer access on both banks. The longest continuous segments of the LA County River Bike Path are a 16-mile stretch between the Imperial Highway and the mouth of the LA River at Long Beach and a 7-mile stretch along the Glendale Narrows. In the San Fernando Valley, the trail becomes more fragmented.

The trails vary substantially in width and material as well, from a 17-foot-wide stone fines path to an 8- foot-wide striped asphalt bikeway. This variability accentuates the lack of continuity in the river corridor. Users experience many paths rather than one. The variable trail designs also favor some users over others. For example, cyclists tend to prefer paved paths, while equestrians tend to prefer unpaved paths. As trail usage increases, it is possible that there may be more conflicts between users due to differences in speed and skill level—particularly where trails are narrow. Consistent visual and material surface cues can help achieve a continuous, legible river corridor that serves a diverse set of users.

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Figure 4: Existing trails and access points along the LA River Corridor.

Beginning with a City of Los Angeles dataset, 93 access points along the river, both formal and informal, were mapped. These access points range from gaps in the fence to clear and well-signed trailheads, but the boundaries often blur. Many “formal” access points are difficult to find, unsigned, or ambiguous in appearance. Only a third of access points are mapped. About two-thirds are gated. Signage is most common in the Glendale Narrows.

Access points, like the path, tend to be one-sided, but 45% connect to the opposite bank via pedestrian-accessible bridges. Seventy percent offer pedestrian access via sidewalks. Sixty percent appear, based on visual inspection, to be ADA accessible. ADA access is more common in the San Fernando Valley, less common in the City of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

A little more than 60% of access points offer parking, the majority of which is unmetered street parking. Many access points are at the dead ends of residential or industrial streets that intersect the river corridor. Other points are adjacent to public or private parking lots; few offer dedicated parking areas for river access.

See the progress memo for Task 3.9 Access and Security for additional information on access and multi-modal connections.

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Conclusions Park space and access is critical for creating an equitable and healthy LA River corridor. Current research indicates that access to park space reduces the risk of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and child asthma. Several areas along the LA River Corridor require improvements in parkland (overall acreage), park size and amenities, and access.

1. Several new parks that are planned along the river corridor, such as Taylor Yard, will improve the quantity of parkland and access for adjacent neighborhoods. As shown in the map of projects from the literature review (Task 2.6), several parks are planned for areas along the river. These parks are critical for creating 51 miles of connected open space along the river corridor and should be encouraged by the Los Angeles River Master Plan Update.

2. Large parks over 20 acres are lacking in the western San Fernando Valley and lower LA River. The opportunity to construct large community regional and regional parks for these areas will be considered during the planning process.

3. Most communities and cities adjacent to the river between Downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach and communities in the western San Fernando Valley do not meet World Health Organization minimum guidelines for open space and the river corridor can be an asset in creating new park acres. Further, most cities along the river do not meet the LA County goal for local park space.

4. Trails along the river should include both recreation and active transport needs, and the relationship between uses should be robustly planned to ensure an adaptable, yet consistent experience along the river’s 51 miles. The development of connected multiuse trails, bridges, and access points is critical to ensuring fair and consistent access to open space and will require multi-jurisdictional collaboration.

END OF MEMORANDUM LARMP-OLIN-Task3-6-TM-Open-Space_Progress-Memorandum.docx

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Appendix A: Types of Parks (Scale, Amenities)

The LA County General Plan categorizes parks into six classifications: park nodes (<1/4 acre), pocket parks (<3 acres), neighborhood parks (3-10 acres), community parks (10-20 acres), community regional parks (20-100 acres), and regional parks (100+ acres).

The following parks within 1 mile of the river are listed by classification:

Park Nodes River Miles to Mile River* Park Name Acres Agency 1.3 0.3 Loma Vista Park 0.1 Long Beach, City of 14.2 0.0 River Pocket park 0.2 Cudahy, City of 16.8 0.3 Pine Avenue Park 0.2 Maywood, City of 17.5 1.0 Benito Juarez Park 0.1 Maywood, City of 21.4 1.0 Ross Valencia Community Park 0.1 Los Angeles, City of 21.4 0.3 Aliso-Pico Recreation Center 0.2 Los Angeles, City of 22.8 0.8 Ord & Yale Street Park 0.2 Los Angeles, City of 24.4 0.0 Egret Park 0.1 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority 24.5 0.1 Oso Park 0.2 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority 24.6 0.0 Steelhead Park 0.2 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy 24.7 0.4 Cypress Park Library 0.2 Los Angeles, City of

Pocket Parks River Miles to Mile River* Park Name Acres Agency 0.4 0.8 Promenade Square 0.5 Long Beach, City of 0.4 0.6 Lincoln Park 2.8 Long Beach, City of 1.4 0.7 14th Street Park and Playground 1.7 Long Beach, City of 1.5 0.5 Seaside Park 2.3 Long Beach, City of 2.0 0.1 Cressa Park 0.6 Long Beach, City of 2.3 0.1 21st to Hill Mini Park 0.9 Long Beach, City of 4.2 0.4 Tanaka Park 1.6 Long Beach, City of 4.2 0.2 Baker Street Park 1.3 Long Beach, City of 5.6 0.7 Arbor Street Park 0.4 Long Beach, City of 6.5 0.4 Burton W. Chace Park 0.3 Long Beach, City of 6.6 0.7 Grace Park 1.1 Long Beach, City of 8.3 0.4 North Community Garden 0.7 Southern California Edison 9.0 0.7 Meadows Park 0.6 Paramount, City of 10.1 0.8 Garfield Park 0.8 Paramount, City of 10.9 0.8 Hollydale Community Park 1.0 South Gate, City of 12.8 0.8 Temple Park 0.4 Downey, City of 12.9 0.4 Triangle Park 0.6 South Gate, City of 13.5 0.9 Crawford Park 2.3 Downey, City of 13.7 0.1 Julia Russ Asmus Park 0.8 Bell Gardens, City of

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14.1 0.6 Gallant Park 0.3 Bell Gardens, City of 14.6 0.9 Darwell Park 0.3 Bell Gardens, City of 14.6 0.5 Neighborhood Youth Center 0.9 Bell Gardens, City of 14.8 0.2 Marlow Park 1.0 Bell Gardens, City of 16.1 0.2 Maywood Activity Park 2.4 Maywood, City of 16.3 1.0 Treder Park 1.4 Bell, City of 16.9 1.0 Freedom Park 1.6 Huntington Park, City of 16.9 1.0 Freedom Park Athletic Field 0.8 Los Angeles Unified School District 17.3 0.8 Pixley Park 0.4 Maywood, City of 17.5 0.9 Maywood Avenue Park 0.3 Trust for Public Land 19.8 0.7 Lou Costello Recreation Center 1.7 Los Angeles, City of 21.4 0.8 Sixth and Gladys St. Park 0.3 Los Angeles, City of 21.4 0.4 Arts District Park 0.5 Los Angeles, City of 21.7 0.9 San Julian Park 0.3 Los Angeles, City of 21.8 0.8 Budokan Little Tokyo Recreation Center 0.8 Los Angeles, City of 22.0 0.9 1st and Broadway Civic Center Park 2.0 Los Angeles - Department of Recreation and Parks, City of 22.1 0.6 El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument 2.0 Los Angeles, City of 22.4 0.5 Prospect Park 2.7 Los Angeles, City of 22.4 0.8 State Street Rec. Center 2.6 Los Angeles, City of 22.8 0.8 Alpine Recreation Center 1.9 Los Angeles, City of 23.5 0.6 Lincoln Heights Rec. Center 1.6 Los Angeles, City of 23.7 0.8 Lincoln Heights Youth Center 0.7 Los Angeles, City of 25.9 0.1 Elysian Valley Rec. Center 2.0 Los Angeles, City of 26.1 0.0 Elysian Valley Gateway Park 0.3 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority 26.6 0.7 Juntos Park 1.6 Los Angeles, City of 26.9 0.1 Glenhurst Park 0.3 Los Angeles, City of 28.2 0.9 Cerritos Park 0.9 Glendale, City of 29.2 0.4 Chevy Chase Park 1.2 Los Angeles, City of 29.5 0.6 Pacific Park & Community Center 2.5 Glendale, City of 29.8 0.9 Harvard Mini-Park 0.3 Glendale, City of 30.5 0.7 Milford Mini-Park 0.3 Glendale, City of 31.6 0.6 Griffith Manor Park 2.8 Glendale, City of 32.8 0.2 Mountain View Park 2.5 Burbank, City of 33.4 0.9 Abraham Lincoln Park 1.7 Burbank, City of 33.6 0.2 Johnny Carson Park 2.4 Los Angeles, City of 35.0 0.8 El Paseo Cahuenga Park 1.5 Los Angeles, City of 37.9 0.3 Moorpark Park 2.4 Los Angeles, City of 38.7 1.0 Coldwater Canyon Open Space Park 2.0 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy 45.9 1.0 Jesse Owens Mini Park 1.7 Los Angeles, City of 46.5 0.0 Caballero Creek Park 1.5 Los Angeles, City of 47.4 0.0 Aliso Creek Park 1.7 Los Angeles, City of

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Neighborhood Parks River Miles to Mile River* Park Name Acres Agency 0.0 0.1 Golden Shore Marine Biological Reserve Park 7.4 Long Beach, City of 0.0 0.8 Harry Bridges Memorial Park 4.6 Long Beach, City of 0.0 1.0 Marina Green 7.8 Long Beach, City of 0.0 0.9 Victory Park 5.7 Long Beach, City of 0.0 1.0 Downtown Marina Mole 4.4 Long Beach, City of 0.0 0.6 Rainbow Harbor Esplanade 6.8 Long Beach, City of 0.6 0.2 Cesar E. Chavez Park 9.1 Long Beach, City of 1.1 0.2 Drake Park 6.2 Long Beach, City of 4.4 0.4 Los Cerritos Park 7.7 Long Beach, City of 4.9 0.6 Dominguez Park 7.6 Carson, City of 7.6 0.2 Coolidge Park 7.2 Long Beach, City of 8.6 0.5 Kelly Park 4.3 Compton, City of 9.2 0.3 East Rancho Dominguez Park 5.5 Los Angeles, County of 10.1 0.6 Salud Park 9.2 Southern California Edison 10.1 0.3 Spane Park 4.2 Paramount, City of 10.5 0.7 John D Ham Park 8.9 Lynwood, City of 12.0 0.1 Parque Dos Rios 7.0 Watershed Conservation Authority 12.5 0.4 Circle Park 4.4 Southern California Edison 13.8 0.1 Cudahy Park 8.3 Cudahy, City of 14.2 0.6 Clara Park Expansion 7.0 Cudahy, City of 15.0 0.4 Veterans Park 3.3 Bell, City of 15.8 0.1 Maywood Riverfront Park 5.2 Maywood, City of 16.1 0.2 Maywood Park 3.0 Maywood, City of 20.6 0.7 Boyle Heights Sports Center Park 7.2 Los Angeles, City of 21.6 0.4 Pecan Playground 4.3 Los Angeles, City of 23.4 0.1 Downey Playground and Rec. Center 4.5 Los Angeles, City of 24.1 1.0 Mount Olympus Park 8.9 Los Angeles, City of 24.7 0.2 Cypress Recreation Center 3.5 Los Angeles, City of 26.5 0.1 Marsh Park 4.8 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority 27.1 0.7 Silver Lake Meadows Park 8.8 Los Angeles - Department of Water and Power, City of 27.9 0.0 Sunnynook Park 3.5 Los Angeles, City of 29.1 0.1 North Atwater Park 5.4 Los Angeles, City of 30.7 0.7 Fremont Park 7.7 Glendale, City of 30.9 0.5 Pelanconi Park 3.1 Glendale, City of 33.6 1.1 Verdugo Park 6.9 Burbank, City of 36.5 0.4 Woodbridge Park 4.3 Los Angeles, City of 39.0 0.4 Studio City Park 9.3 Los Angeles, City of 41.1 1.0 Oak Forest West 8.2 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy 42.6 0.0 Sherman Oaks Castle Park 5.0 Los Angeles, City of 42.8 0.1 Teichman Family Magnolia Park 3.9 Los Angeles, City of 47.5 0.3 West Valley Park 8.8 Los Angeles, City of 47.9 0.9 Tarzana Rec. Center 5.6 Los Angeles, City of 49.7 0.8 Runnymede Rec. Center 5.9 Los Angeles, City of 50.2 0.2 John Quimby Park 4.3 Los Angeles, City of

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Community Parks River Miles to Mile River* Park Name Acres Agency 0.0 0.9 Rainbow Lagoon Park 11.7 Long Beach, City of 2.3 0.6 Admiral Kidd Park 12.5 Long Beach, City of 2.4 0.9 Hudson Park 11.2 Long Beach, City of 3.2 0.8 Veterans Park 13.0 Long Beach, City of 3.6 0.4 Silverado Park 11.7 Long Beach, City of 9.7 0.1 Ralph C. Dills Park 11.7 Paramount, City of 11.1 1.2 Ricardo Lara Linear Park 12.9 Lynwood, City of 13.9 1.1 Bell Gardens Sports Center 19.0 Bell Gardens, City of 26.4 0.9 Glassell Park and Rec. Center 12.7 Los Angeles, City of 35.9 0.1 South Weddington Park 14.0 Los Angeles, City of 36.1 0.1 North Weddington Park 10.2 Los Angeles, City of 39.4 1.0 Dixie Canyon Park 18.3 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy 43.7 0.4 Hjelte Sports Center 14.7 United States Army Corps of Engineers 51.0 1.0 Shadow Ranch Park 12.3 Los Angeles, City of

Community Regional Parks River Miles to Mile River* Park Name Acres Agency 5.5 0.8 Scherer Park 25.2 Long Beach, City of 7.1 0.1 DeForest Park 27.6 Long Beach, City of 7.7 0.5 Houghton Park 26.1 Long Beach, City of 11.3 0.1 Hollydale Park 48.0 South Gate, City of 12.8 0.6 South Gate Park 83.2 South Gate, City of 21.1 0.6 Hollenbeck Park 20.5 Los Angeles, City of 23.2 0.4 Los Angeles SHP 32.0 California Department of Parks and Recreation 23.3 1.4 Lincoln Park 43.3 Los Angeles, City of 25.9 0.3 Rio de Los Angeles SP 54.8 California Department of Parks and Recreation 37.0 1.1 Fryman Canyon Park 64.8 United States National Park Service 38.6 1.0 Coldwater Canyon Park 41.7 Los Angeles, City of 38.7 0.8 Unnamed site - Mountains Recreation and 57.8 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Conservation Authority 39.4 1.0 Longridge Park 54.4 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority 40.8 1.2 Fossil Ridge Park 57.4 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy 41.3 0.4 Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Rec. Ctr. 65.5 Los Angeles, City of 41.7 1.1 Deervale-Stone Canyon Park 79.4 Los Angeles, City of 43.8 0.7 Libbit Park/Encino Little League 24.5 United States Army Corps of Engineers 44.2 0.7 Sepulveda Garden Center 24.1 United States Army Corps of Engineers 44.9 0.3 Balboa Sports Center 81.9 United States Army Corps of Engineers 46.9 0.1 Reseda Park and Rec Center 29.8 Los Angeles, City of

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Regional Parks River Miles to Mile River* Park Name Acres Agency 24.4 0.6 Elysian Park 576 Los Angeles, City of 29.7 1.3 Griffith Park 4066 Los Angeles, City of 38.4 0.7 Wilacre Park 125 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy 43.6 0.7 Woodley Avenue Park 120 United States Army Corps of Engineers 44.6 0.3 Lake Balboa Park 111 United States Army Corps of Engineers 44.6 0.1 Sepulveda Basin Rec. Area 268 United States Army Corps of Engineers

Special Use Parks River Miles to Mile River* Park Name Acres Agency 0.0 0.5 Shoreline Aquatic Park 10.7 Long Beach, City of 1.2 0.2 Drake/Chavez Soccer Fields and Parkway 7.9 Long Beach, City of 1.4 0.7 Michael K Green Skate Park 0.4 Long Beach, City of 10.1 0.4 Orange Avenue Splash Zone 0.3 Paramount, City of 21.0 1.0 Roosevelt High School Pool 1.5 Los Angeles, City of 29.5 0.6 Pacific Community Pool 3.2 Glendale, City of

Not Classified River Miles to Mile River* Park Name Acres Agency 0.0 0.4 Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific 8.2 Long Beach, City of 0.0 0.2 South Shore Launch Ramp 6.5 Long Beach, City of 0.0 0.9 Terrace Theater 2.6 Long Beach, City of 0.0 0.4 Shoreline Park Bikepath 2.9 Long Beach, City of 0.1 0.1 Golden Shore RV Resort 6.2 Long Beach, City of 0.3 0.4 Santa Cruz Park 2.1 Long Beach, City of 0.5 0.1 Cesar E. Chavez Park Terminus 15.1 Long Beach, City of 0.5 0.8 Harvey Milk Promenade 0.2 Long Beach, City of 1.0 0.7 K-9 Corner Dog Park 0.1 Long Beach, City of 2.1 0.4 Daisy Greenbelt 2.3 Long Beach, City of 2.1 0.5 Mary Molina Community Garden 0.2 Long Beach, City of 2.4 0.9 Hudson Park Community Garden 1.5 Long Beach, City of 2.9 0.1 Willow & Golden S 1.1 Long Beach, City of 3.4 0.1 Willow & Golden N 9.9 Long Beach, City of 3.9 0.1 34th St Greenbelt 0.9 Los Angeles, County of 3.9 0.2 Wrigley Heights Dog Park 1.7 Long Beach, City of 5.5 0.4 Sleepy Hollow Greenbelt 1.6 Long Beach, City of 5.7 0.7 Sleepy Hollow Greenbelt 2.2 Long Beach, City of 6.0 0.1 51st St Greenbelt 1.0 Long Beach, City of 7.0 0.2 South Street Parkway 1.4 Long Beach, City of 8.6 0.1 72nd Street Staging Area 3.0 Los Angeles, County of 9.0 0.4 Washington Ave Park 0.4 Los Angeles, County of

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10.1 0.5 Unnamed site - Paramount, City of 10.3 Southern California Edison 12.4 0.8 Los Amigos Golf Course 146 Los Angeles, County of 12.5 0.4 Circle Park 0.2 South Gate, City of 13.8 1.0 Bell Gardens Golf Course at Ford Park 12.8 Bell Gardens, City of 14.6 0.2 Pritchard Field 1.8 Bell, City of 21.1 0.2 Los Angeles River 0.7 Los Angeles, City of 22.0 0.8 City Hall Park 1.9 Los Angeles, City of 22.1 1.0 Grand Park 9.3 Los Angeles, County of 22.3 0.3 Aliso Triangle 0.0 Los Angeles, City of 22.5 1.0 Wellness Center Park and Fitness Center 30.7 Amigos de los Rios 22.8 0.8 Alpine Park 0.5 Los Angeles, City of 23.3 0.1 Albion Riverside Park 6.2 Los Angeles, City of 23.9 0.1 L.A. Youth Athletic Club 4.6 Los Angeles, City of 24.1 0.4 Lacy Street Neighborhood Park 0.4 Los Angeles, City of 24.2 0.1 Confluence Park 0.4 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority 24.3 0.5 Arroyo Seco 16.5 Los Angeles, City of 24.4 0.2 Los Angeles River Center and Gardens 6.7 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority 24.5 1.1 Heritage Square 8.4 Los Angeles, City of 24.7 1.0 Greayer's Oak Park 0.6 Los Angeles, City of 25.0 0.9 Elyria Canyon Park 1.6 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy 25.0 0.8 Elyria Canyon Park 35.9 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority 25.6 0.1 Los Angeles River & Trail 8.2 Los Angeles, City of 26.3 0.9 Unnamed site - Mountains Recreation and 0.4 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Conservation Authority 26.5 0.0 Natural Park 0.4 Los Angeles, City of 26.5 0.1 Marsh Street Skate Park 0.3 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy 26.6 0.9 Drew Street Park 0.1 Los Angeles - Department of Recreation and Parks, City of 27.3 0.8 Silver Lake Reservoir 118 Los Angeles, City of 28.6 0.1 Los Feliz Golf Course 11.8 Los Angeles, City of 29.3 0.1 Griffith Park Central Service Yard 28.3 Los Angeles, City of 31.3 0.0 Narrows Riverwalk 3.5 Glendale, City of 32.4 0.1 Travel Town Museum 10.4 Los Angeles, City of 33.6 0.2 Johnny Carson Park 12.8 Burbank, City of 34.1 0.8 Cahuenga Peak Phase 1 131 Los Angeles - Department of Recreation and Parks, City of 34.3 0.6 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power 19.7 Los Angeles, City of 34.8 1.1 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power 167 Los Angeles, City of 34.9 1.7 Unnamed site - Mountains Recreation and 2.0 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Conservation Authority 35.8 0.2 Campo De Cahuenga 0.7 Los Angeles, City of 35.9 0.8 Unnamed site - Mountains Recreation and 1.1 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Conservation Authority 36.0 0.9 Unnamed site - Mountains Recreation and 9.1 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Conservation Authority 36.1 0.7 Unnamed site - Mountains Recreation and 0.7 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Conservation Authority

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36.7 0.8 Los Angeles City Water Resource Parkland 0.9 Los Angeles, City of 36.7 0.8 Los Angeles City Water Resource Parkland 1.8 Los Angeles, City of 37.0 0.9 Los Angeles City Water Resource Parkland 1.4 Los Angeles, City of 38.4 0.6 Unnamed site - Mountains Recreation and 2.6 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Conservation Authority 39.9 0.0 Los Angeles Riverfront Park 6.2 Los Angeles, City of 41.1 0.9 Unnamed site - Mountains Recreation and 2.9 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Conservation Authority 41.1 0.9 Oak Forest West 1.5 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority 43.7 0.3 Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve 327 United States Army Corps of Engineers 44.2 0.3 Woodley Lakes Golf Course 209 United States Army Corps of Engineers 44.2 0.3 Balboa Golf Course & Encino Golf Course 321 United States Army Corps of Engineers 44.5 1.0 Van Nuys Golf Course 56.3 Los Angeles, City of 51.0 0.6 Canoga Park Senior Citizen Center 0.8 Los Angeles, City of 51.0 1.0 Bell Creek Park 0.4 Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority 0.0 0.4 Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific 8.2 Long Beach, City of 0.0 0.2 South Shore Launch Ramp 6.5 Long Beach, City of 0.0 0.9 Terrace Theater 2.6 Long Beach, City of 0.0 0.4 Shoreline Park Bikepath 2.9 Long Beach, City of 0.1 0.1 Golden Shore RV Resort 6.2 Long Beach, City of 0.3 0.4 Santa Cruz Park 2.1 Long Beach, City of 0.5 0.1 Cesar E. Chavez Park Terminus 15.1 Long Beach, City of 0.5 0.8 Harvey Milk Promenade 0.2 Long Beach, City of 1.0 0.7 K-9 Corner Dog Park 0.1 Long Beach, City of 2.1 0.4 Daisy Greenbelt 2.3 Long Beach, City of

*Miles to River are straight-line distance.

END OF MEMORANDUM 181119_LARMP_Task 3.6_Open Space_Progress Memorandum.docx

PROGRESS

LOS ANGELES RIVER OPEN SPACE, RECREATION, AND TRAILS LARMP TASK 3.6

19 November 2018

16 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS

Source: https://plus.google.com/photos/photo/115839901318960509225/6329250454626054082, 2016

17 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS

Source: waltarrrr, Hyperion Bridge Walk, https://www.flickr.com/photos/waltarrrrr/10952668275/, 2013

18 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS

Source: https://plus.google.com/photos/photo/114186022152526274069/6369522534882821234, 2016

19 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS

Source: https://plus.google.com/photos/photo/115267331779435842647/6411570358889848834, 2017

20 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS

Source: Laurie Avocado, A Place to Take the Dogs, https://www.flickr.com/photos/auntylaurie/5093849007, 2010

21 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS

Source: https://plus.google.com/photos/photo/106617173936806126885/6441005292313430226, 2017

22 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS

Source: US Army Corps of Engineers, The Great Los Angeles River CleanUp, https://www.flickr.com/photos/losangelesdistrict/7124959141

23 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS

Source: Jeff Houze via Play the LA River, https://playthelariver.com/stories-about-us/play-la-river-using-games-engage-open-spaces/, 2014

24 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS

Source: Jay Field via US Army Corps of Engineers, http://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/1265708/district-hosts-watershed-planning-course/, 2017

25 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS

Source: Scott Lowe, LA River Ride 2009 https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottlowe/3631990346, 2009

26 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS EXISTING PARK NEED

1) PARK LAND: How many acres of park (local parks and regional recreation park) are there per 1,000 people in the Study Area?

2) PARK ACCESS: What percent of the population lives within 1/2 mile of a park?

3) PARK PRESSURE: How much park land is available to residents in the area around each park?

Park Need Very High High Moderate Low Very Low

Source: Los Angeles Countywide Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment, 2016

27 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS MOST COMMUNITIES ALONG THE RIVER DO NOT MEET THE COUNTY STANDARD FOR LOCAL PARKLAND

Exceed the County Standard County Standard (Acres per Thousand) 4 ±20% Do Not Meet the County Standard

Source: Los Angeles Countywide Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment, 2016

28 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS MANY COMMUNITIES ALONG THE RIVER DO NOT MEET WHO MINIMUM PARK SPACE GUIDELINES

Exceed WHO Guidelines WHO Guidelines (Acres per Thousand) 2.2 ±20% Do Not Meet WHO Guidelines

Source: Los Angeles Countywide Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment, 2016

29 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS VARYING PARK ACREAGE STANDARDS PER 1,000 RESIDENTS BY LOCALITY

BB EE S EES VE EE Existing

. 7 1.5 .5 2.7 .2 1.2

4 WHO 2.5 5 LA County Minimum Standard 1 Adopted Standard

BE BE ES S E E S BE

.4 1. . 1. 1 1.4 1 . .5 5.

1 1.5 4

Source: Most recent adopted general plans

*Sources: Most recent adopted general plans 30 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS PARK AMENITIES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Community Recreation Centers Fitness Zone Gymnasium Dog Park Tennis Picnic Shelter Baseball Pools Basketball Splash Pad Soccer Restrooms Multipurpose Fields Senior Center Skate Park Parks Source: Los Angeles County Deparment of Parks and Recreation Park Facilities, 2016

31 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS LA COUNTY PARK CLASSIFICATIONS

Local Park System Regional Park System

Park Pocket Neighborhood Community Community Regional Special Use Not Node Park Park Park Regional Park Park Park Classified Suggested Size ≤¼ Acre <3 Acres 3-10 Acres 10-20 Acres 20-100 Acres >100 Acres

Coldwater Benito Juarez Cesar E. Glassell Park & Hollydale Griffith Michael K Green Example Canyon Open Park Chavez Park Rec Center Park Park Skate Park Space Park

Within One Mile of River 11 60 44 14 20 6 6 76

Total in LA County 117 531 561 269 256 148 42 1114

Source: Los Angeles County Deparment of Parks and Recreation Countywide Parks and Open Space, 2016; Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning General Plan 2035 Parks and Recreation Element, 2015

32 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS NO REGIONAL PARKS NEAR THE RIVER NORTH OF SEPULVEDA BASIN OR SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN LA

Areas with Few Regional Parks

Regional Parks

Local Parks

Special Use/Not Classified

Source: Los Angeles County Deparment of Parks and Recreation Countywide Parks and Open Space, 2016

33 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS MANY AREAS ALONG Canoga Park THE RIVER HAVE LOW Reseda Van Nuys BURBANK GLENDALE WALKABILITY TO A Sherman Oaks Studio City

LOCAL PARK LOS ANGELES

Downtown LA

VERNON

BELL More than a ten minute walk to a local park GARDENS SOUTH GATE *Excludes Regional Parks

COMPTON

LONG BEACH

Source: Los Angeles Countywide Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment, 2016

5 mi. N 34 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS PROPOSED MULTI-USE TRAILS ARE PRIMARILY LOCATED ALONG THE LA RIVER AND DOMINGUEZ CHANNEL

Existing River Trail Other Existing Trails Proposed Trails

Source: Metro Active Transportation Strategic Plan, 2014; Geosyntec, OLIN, 2018

35 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS 21 OF THE 51 MILES HAVE NO TRAILS

Areas with No Existing River Trails Existing River Trail Proposed River Trail Official Access Point Bike Path Connected to River Bike Lane Connected to River Trails

Source: Metro Active Transportation Strategic Plan, 2014

36 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS COUNTYWIDE CORRIDOR AND CONNECTIVITY OPPORTUNITIES

Transmission Line Rights of Way Metro Rights of Way Trails

Source: Metro Rights of Way, 2014; Active Transportation Strategic Plan, 2016

37 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS

Source: Pacific Southwest Region USFWS, Kayaking the Los Angeles River, https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfws_pacificsw/28477197143, 2015

38 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS WATER CONTACT RECREATION Uses of water for recreational activities involving body contact with water, where ingestion of water is reasonably possible. These uses include, but are not limited to, swimming, wading, water-skiing, skin and scuba diving, surfing, white water activities, fishing, or use of natural hot springs.

Classification Existing Stream/Waterbody Potential Stream/Waterbody

Intermittent Stream/Waterbody Not Designated Stream/Waterbody

Source: Basin Plan for the Coast Watersheds of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, 2018

39 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS NON-CONTACT WATER RECREATION Uses of water for recreational activities involving proximity to water, but not normally involving body contact with water, where ingestion of water is reasonably possible. These uses include, but are not limited to, picnicking, sunbathing, hiking, beach-combing, camping, boating, tidepool and marine life study, hunting, sightseeing, or aesthetic enjoyment in conjunction with the above activities.

Classification Existing Stream/Waterbody Potential Stream/Waterbody

Intermittent Stream/Waterbody Not Designated Stream/Waterbody

Source: Basin Plan for the Coast Watersheds of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, 2018

40 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS COMMERCIAL AND SPORT FISHING Uses of water for commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or other organisms including, but not limited to, uses involving organisms intended for human consumption or bait purposes.

Classification Existing Stream/Waterbody Potential Stream/Waterbody

Intermittent Stream/Waterbody Not Designated Stream/Waterbody

Source: Basin Plan for the Coast Watersheds of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, 2018

41 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS SINCE 2014, TWO IN- CHANNEL RECREATION Sepulveda Basin ZONES HAVE BEEN 2.5 mile trips Elysian Valley DESIGNATED ON THE 1.75 to 2.5 mile trips LA RIVER

Aquatic Recreation Zones Fresh Water Swim Areas

Source: Los Angeles River Recreation Zone, Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, http://lariverrecreation.org, accessed May 23, 2018

42 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS THERE ARE 4 OUTFITS RUNNING PADDLING TRIPS ON THE LA RIVER

LA CONSERVATION CORPS LA RIVER EXPEDITIONS LA RIVER KAYAKS LA RIVER KAYAK SAFARI Founded: 2011 Founded: 2008 Founded: 2013 Founded: 2013 Partners: Heal the Bay Partners: None Partners: MRCA Partners: FOLAR Trips: Sepulveda Basin Trips: Sepulveda Basin Trips: Elysian Valley Trips: Elysian Valley

Source: Los Angeles River Recreation Zone, Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, http://lariverrecreation.org, accessed May 23, 2018

43 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS PARK AND TRAIL AVAILABILITY

Park Needs Health Survey Park County Park WHO More than ½mi. Existing River In Channel Assessment Park/Trail Need Classifications Standards Recommended to a Local Park Bike Path Recreation

Canoga Park 51

Reseda 47

Van Nuys 44 Sherman Oaks 41

Studio City 37

Burbank 33 Glendale 31

Downtown LA 22

Vernon 18 Bell Gardens 14 South Gate 12 Compton 9

Long Beach 0

44 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS PARK AMENITIES WITHIN 1 MILE OF THE RIVER

Community Recreation Multipurpose Skate Gymnasium Center Fields Soccer Park Tennis Baseball Basketball

Canoga Park 51

Reseda 47

Van Nuys 44 Sherman Oaks 41

Studio City 37

Burbank 33 Glendale 31

Downtown LA 22

Vernon 18 Bell Gardens 14 South Gate 12 Compton 9

Long Beach 0

Source: Los Angeles County Deparment of Parks and Recreation Park Facilities, 2016

45 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS PARK AMENITIES WITHIN 1 MILE OF THE RIVER

Recreation Fitness Dog Picnic Senior Splash Amenity Zone Park Shelter Pools Restrooms Center Pad Composite

Canoga Park 51

Reseda 47

Van Nuys 44 Sherman Oaks 41

Studio City 37

Burbank 33 Glendale 31

Downtown LA 22

Vernon 18 Bell Gardens 14 South Gate 12 Compton 9

Long Beach 0

Source: Los Angeles County Deparment of Parks and Recreation Park Facilities, 2016

46 Open Space, Recreation, and Trails PROGRESS ACCESS BY SIDE

Access Points - River Right (facing downstream) Access Points - River Left (facing downstream)