One River, One Continuous Path: Building the LARiverWay
The LARiverWay is envisioned as a continuous multi-use biking and walking path that will transform fragmented existing segments into a cohesive public asset — supporting mobility, recreation, community identity, and adjacent reinvestment. The LARiverWay creates opportunities for new open space, including public plazas, parks, and ancillary walking paths. The 12.4-mile stretch of the Los Angeles River in the San Fernando Valley — divided into nine segments by the Bureau of Engineering — is one of the most important regional public realm improvement opportunities in the City.
To date, the LARiverWay has been advanced through a grant-dependent, segment-by-segment approach. While this has enabled important early investments, it has also led to fragmented delivery, persistent funding gaps, and increased exposure to construction cost escalation.
In response to these challenges, Council District 4 and the Bureau of Engineering partnered with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in February 2026 to develop a comprehensive implementation framework addressing funding strategy, accelerated delivery through financing, community equity, and long‑term operations. ULI convened a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) composed of real estate, planning, and economic development experts who were tasked with preparing a report recommending optimal delivery methods for building out the Valley LARiverWay. Their work drew on both their technical expertise and extensive conversations with public and private stakeholders.
Key recommendations include:
- Shifting to a single corridor-scale delivery instead of a segment-by-segment approach
- Prioritizing the continuous bike and pedestrian path and safety features in the near-term while phasing in additional amenities over time
- Shift to an integrated delivery model that combines design, construction, financing and maintenance into a single contract to reduce uncertainty and accelerate return on investment
- Align funding with future value creation
Council staff and City Departments are now working together to advance a strategy that incorporates the recommendations from ULI to establish a renewed focus on the Valley LARiverWay and work toward its full buildout.
Valley LARiverWay Project Report
