RE-GREENING THE LOS ANGELES RIVER

Groundbreaking Ceremony for North Atwater Park

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks in collaboration with the Department of Public Works Bureaus of Engineering and Sanitation broke ground on the North Atwater Park Expansion and Creek Restoration Project on Thursday, October 28, 2010. Councilmembers Tom LaBonge (Fourth District), Ed P. Reyes (First District) and Council President Eric Garcetti were on hand to celebrate the plans for the improved parkland.

When complete, the North Atwater Park Project will provide 3-acres of additional parkland featuring a picnic area, demonstration garden, outdoor classroom, concrete play tunnel and sand play area. The project will also restore a creek that connects to the Los Angeles River. Native plant landscaping on the creek banks and along the streambed to prevent erosion and naturally clean stormwater before going out to the river. This project will help the City improve water quality for the L.A. River and is the first City of Los Angeles project in the re-greening of the Los Angeles River.

The North Atwater Park Project was undertaken in connection with the settlement of two Clean Water Act enforcement actions, Santa Monica Baykeeper v. City of Los Angeles and United States, and State of California ex. Rel. California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region v. City of Los Angeles. This project is also being funded by Proposition 50 through the California Resources Agency to improve River Parkways.

The improvement project is expected to be complete in late 2011.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Andrea Epstein: (213) 202-2690

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689