LOS ANGELES—The City of Los Angeles has selected a team to design the final 12 miles of the Valley portion of the Los Angeles River Greenway. Once completed, the greenway will make it possible for Angelenos to walk and bike from Canoga Park to Elysian Valley.
Mayor Eric Garcetti and the Bureau of Engineering announced that the design team will be led by Gruen Associates — a 70-year old firm with a distinguished record of overseeing significant projects in Los Angeles. The team also includes Mia Lehrer + Associates, landscape architects with a long history of Los Angeles River work; and Oyler Wu, architects, representing a next-generation, L.A.-specific design aesthetic. Long-standing engineering firm Psomas will produce the team’s civil and structural work.
“The Los Angeles River is a common thread that links us to our history, and connects us to the natural world,” said Mayor Garcetti. “This bikeway will give all Angelenos a new way to experience our city, build accessibility to our revitalized river, and expand green space for families to enjoy. I am proud to work with all of the partners who helped us reach this milestone.”
In an unprecedented funding partnership, Mayor Garcetti and L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl committed to jointly fund the design, and City Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield, Paul Krekorian, Nury Martinez and David Ryu each pledged funds to support the City’s share. The Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) is also a partner in the project.
“The L.A. River Greenway project is another important step forward in building our local bikeway infrastructure so that Angelenos can choose to go to work, school, and play in healthy, environmentally sustainable ways,” said L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl.
The project will complete the Los Angeles River Bike Path from Vanalden Avenue in the West Valley to Forest Lawn Drive/Zoo Drive near Griffith Park.
“We are thrilled to bring together this exceptional team to work with us in the design of the Valley’s river bike path,” said Gary Lee Moore, City Engineer. “We have selected a group of designers known for their experience in successfully addressing architectural challenges, as well as bringing innovative and experimental thinking to their work.”
The greenway design will include a bike path, shade elements, stormwater capture features, pedestrian walkways, landscaped areas to support habitat, as well as fencing, gates, lighting, signage and additional educational and interpretive elements.
