California Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Leon and other leaders Friday celebrated $100 million in new state funding dedicated to revitalizing the Los Angeles River.
The funds were included in the recently approved budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year and will be used to create new recreational and open space along the river.
“Expanding access to green open spaces in communities such as those along the L.A. River corridor has been a priority of mine since I joined the legislature,” de Leon said at a news conference at Marsh Park in Elysian Valley, located on the banks of the river. “Children living along the corridor suffer disproportionately from asthma, obesity and diabetes — conditions we can avoid by providing more healthy outdoor space for recreation.”
Efforts to revitalize the 51-mile concrete river and return it to a more natural state have been ongoing for years. The city recently completed purchase of the 41-acre Taylor Yard G2 land parcel, formerly a Union Pacific Railroad facility, with plans to convert it into a public green space.
De Leon, D-Los Angeles, helped secure $25 million in state funding to go toward the $252 million price for purchasing and restoring the yard.
“This is a historic moment for the Los Angeles River,” said Marissa Christiansen, executive director of Friends of the Los Angeles River. “Pro-Tem de Leon and Speaker (Anthony) Rendon have demonstrated the type of unified, collaborative leadership that will ultimately lead to a thriving natural resource for all Angelenos. This funding comes at a pivotal moment in the river’s history and will truly make a meaningful impact in its progress forward.”
—City News Service