Los Angeles River Revitalization Corporation Honors Reyes at Kick-Off Event

More than 200 guests gathered on the afternoon of September 11th to help 'kick-off' the newly launched Los Angeles River Revitalization Corporation on the patio of Atwater Crossing near the Los Angeles River.

An independent organization created by the City of Los Angeles two years ago, the LARRC is a non-profit corporation charged with promoting responsible development, redevelopment, and revitalization along the Los Angeles River corridor, in accordance with the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan, according to their website, http://thelariver.com/.

Sunday's event drew quite the 'Who's Who' of Los Angeles 'riverly' people. While guests mingled and noshed, facilitator Ron Milam  got the 'riverly' energy going with his LA River wall mural where everyone was encouraged to draw their 'dream project' for the LA River.

Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti opened the formal festivities by welcoming the enthusiastic crowd, and introduced LARRC's first Executive Director, Omar Brownson, seen here offering his vision for the River, while LARRC Vice-Chairman and first Corporation Chair Harry Chandler looks on.

Omar, who has extensive experience in start-up organizations, spoke of how he's 'come home' to LA to help move LA River revitalization forward.

In the short few months since Omar's hiring in January 2011, LARRC has launched their website, moved to offices at the LA River Center, and hired two additional staff members to work on fund-raising and office operations.

Among the political dignitaries in the crowd were Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, Los Angeles City Council Member Tom LeBonge, Los Angeles Public Works Director Paula Daniels, Los Angeles City Planning Commission President Bill Roschen, and LA Planning Commissioner Barbara Romero.

The highlight of the day's event was the presentation by LARRC Board Chairman Daniel Tellalian of the first 'Changing the Course of LA' Award to Los Angeles City Council Member and River Champion Ed Reyes. The award, a beautiful bas relief of a blue heron rising from the River, was a commissioned work created by Los Angeles artist Steve Appleton.

During his remarks, award recipient Reyes spoke passionately about his vision for the LA River, forged by more than a decade of river revitalization advocacy within the City, and spoke how immediate attention on river corridor revitalization would bring much needed new jobs to the City of Los Angeles.

Other 'riverly' leaders spotted in the crowd included: LARRC Board Members Bruce Saito and Daphne Zuniga; LA Mayor's Office Liaison Romel Pascual; LA River Committee Liaison Lupe Vela; US Army Corps of Engineers Planning Chief Josephine Axt; LA Bureau of Engineering's Deborah Weintraub;  LA River Office Director Dr. Carol Armstrong with staffers Larry Hsu and Megan Whalen; CRA's Jason Neville; TreePeople's Andy Lipkis; Landscape Architect Mia Lehrer; Master Gardener Glen Dake; and the Trust for Public Land's Carolyn Ramsay.

August Happenings on the Los Angeles River & The Arroyo Seco

It's hard to believe it's August already with the summer quickly moving along. Here's some of the latest goings on with the Los Angeles River and the Arroyo Seco.

1. The big exciting news is that the US Army Corps of Engineers has issued permits to allow a 'Pilot Non-Motorized Boating Program' to take place on the Los Angeles River in the Sepulveda Basin area over a 6-week weekend test period.

Dignitaries from far and wide attended the August 8th 'kick-off' event, including USACE Colonel Mark Toy, LA Conservation Corps Executive Bruce Saito (whose organization is the lead agency for the pilot program), kayak activist George Wolfe, Melanie Winter of The River Project, Miguel Luna from Urban Semillas, and Lupe Vela, LA City Liaison to the Los Angeles River Committee. Political heavyweights included Joe Edminston of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, LA City Councilmember Tony Cardenas (in whose district the pilot program will take place) and LA City Councilmember Ed Reyes, whose vision and commitment over many years to revitalize the LA River was noted.

Once the official festivities ended, it was time to get the boats in the water! While this was a short ceremonial paddle in the LA River, it heralded the beginning of a new era of river access for the public.

The pilot program sold out within minutes of opening for reservations, so it won't be possible to participate in this month's paddling events if you are not already one of the lucky persons with reservations. Organizers are hopeful, though, that this initial pilot program's success will facilitate expanded boating access to the LA River soon.

2. If you are not a fortunate paddler, don't dismay. Friends of the Los Angeles River (http://www.folar.org/) is offering 90-minute docent led walks along the LA River in the Sepulveda Basin highlighting this historic non-motorized boating program beginning August 21st. Reservations are required - free to FoLAR members - $10 donation for non-members.

3. Feel like getting your hands dirty? River lovers have two opportunities this Saturday, August 20th:

The Arroyo Seco Foundation (http://www.arroyoseco.org/) is hosting a Central Arroyo Stream clean-up from 9:30am to 11:30am to remove trash and invasive species in the naturalized area of the Arroyo Seco just south of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.  Park at the south end of Brookside Parking Lot I near the Aquatic Center and meet at the picnic tables in the south end of the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center. Wear sturdy shoes, working clothes, a hat, and sunscreen. Tools and trash bags will be provided. It's a fun way to enjoy and help nature at the same time.

Live on the other side of LA? Why not join the Village Gardeners from 9:00am to noon for some native plant landscape maintenance along the LA River in Studio City at the Richard Lillard Outdoor Classroom, 13236 Valleyheart Drive (south side of The River, 1/2 block east of Fulton)? Wear closed toed shoes and bring a hat and sunscreen. Tools and gloves will be provided. Refreshments, too! RVSP to rrabins@villagegardeners.org or 818-667-7605.

4. The Los Angeles River Revitalization Corporation (http://thelariver.com/) has two upcoming events as well: Their Board of Directors holds its quarterly meeting on Wednesday, August 17th, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, in the Mayor's Press Conference Room at Los Angeles City Hall. September 11 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, marks LARRC's inaugural community event, Let's Talk River, honoring Los Angeles City Councilmember Ed Reyes.

Finally, if you just want to get out and enjoy urban nature this month, check out the recreational opportunities along the Arroyo Seco, including the Arroyo Seco Trail Guide here: http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/PublicWorks/arroyo_recreation_and_activities/