Councilmember Raman Introduces Motion To Accelerate Completion Of The LA RiverWay Walking And Biking Path In The San Fernando Valley

For Immediate Release: October 27, 2023

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COUNCILMEMBER RAMAN INTRODUCES MOTION TO ACCELERATE COMPLETION OF THE LA RIVERWAY WALKING AND BIKING PATH IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

LOS ANGELES — Today, Councilmember Nithya Raman introduced a motion, co-presented by Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield, Paul Krekorian and Imelda Padilla, to accelerate the completion of the LA RiverWay active transportation pathway in the San Fernando Valley. Over the past 20 years, the City and region have taken many steps to reintegrate the Los Angeles River into the urban fabric of Los Angeles. One crucial piece of this reintegration is the completion of the LA RiverWay, a continuous off-street multi-use active transportation path along the banks of the Los Angeles River from the headwaters in Canoga Park, through Downtown Los Angeles, and beyond to existing pathways outside of the City of Los Angeles. Councilmember Raman’s legislation instructs the City Administrative Officer to explore methods to leverage existing funding and alternative financing and project delivery models in order to complete the Valley portion of the LA RiverWay.

“Imagine a scenario where biking along the LA River from downtown to the Valley is just another day in LA! That’s exactly what we are trying to achieve with the LA RiverWay project, and closing the gaps that exist in the San Fernando Valley section of the river path is the first step,” said Councilmember Raman. “Completion of this continuous bikeway will not only create new and accessible open space, enhancing the quality of life for nearby residents and path users, but it will also contribute to the City’s growing decarbonization efforts by reducing car trips and Greenhouse Gas emissions.”

“Completion of the Valley LA RiverWay will be a milestone accomplishment in realizing the dream of the LA River as a 51-mile long natural and recreational resource, and will expand bike infrastructure for the San Fernando Valley,” said Councilmember Blumenfield. “Beginning at the headwaters in Canoga Park, the LA River is such an incredible resource, and we must invest in projects like this to bring it to its full potential.”

“Completing the San Fernando Valley section of the LA RiverWay is a crucial first step towards ensuring that our beautiful river is accessible to all residents and that we have safe routes across our region that don’t require driving,” said Councilmember Padilla. “The LA River is an iconic and historic natural landmark in our city that should be enjoyed by all, and this is a great step in making sure we all commit to funding this project. My office is ready to roll up our sleeves and work with the community, fellow Councilmembers, and our City family as we continue to transform the LA River into an incredible asset that connects neighborhoods, promotes recreation, provides natural tree canopy, restores natural hydrology and wildlife corridors.” 

“Friends of the LA River (FoLAR) has spent decades working with LA communities and partnering with local governments like the CIty of Los Angeles to improve equitable access to the LA River,” said Candice Dickens-Russell, President & CEO, Friends of the LA River. “We believe that the LA RiverWay is a step toward increasing public access to the river, connecting the communities that live along the river, supporting public health, and decreasing our city’s carbon footprint. FoLAR is in full support of Councilmember Raman’s motion.

“Trust for Public Land has been working with City and County partners for decades to create more publicly accessible open space along the LA River,” said Robin Mark, Los Angeles Program Director, Trust for Public Land. “We wholeheartedly support the motion by Councilmembers Raman, Blumenfield, Krekorian, and Padilla to fully fund the LA RiverWay and truly create connectivity and equitable access to the River and the region.”

Concilmember Raman’s legislation instructs the City Administrative Officer, with the assistance of the Bureau of Engineering, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Department of Water and Power, and any other relevant departments to report back, within 60 days, with recommendations for how to best proceed with identifying funding and completing project delivery in an accelerated manner for the Valley LARiverWay.

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