Franklin High Arroyo Seco Academy Students Design Urban Trails

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Los Angeles City Council District Member Ed Reyes welcomed more than 50 community leaders to the recent open house at Franklin High School in Highland Park for a special presentation of student work highlighting more than 30 urban trails connecting the Los Angeles State Historic Park (the Cornfields) with surrounding communities.

A joint project of the City of Los Angeles, the National Park Service, and the Transportation Academy section of the Arroyo Seco Academy at Franklin High School, this senior high school student generated experential learning program used a 'learn by doing' approach whereby the students had to study the neighborhoods, then walk/bicycle them to finalize the creation of their trail.

The project, under the direction of Patrick Johnston of the National Park Service, (shown right here with some participating students), engaged Academy students in developing research, planning, visual design, and presentation skills.

The open house featured an opening welcome, followed by visits to 'stations' throughout the school cafeteria where students both presented their trail design and answered questions from participants.

Here, Los Angeles City Planner Claire Bowin asks questions of a trail team who have created a bicycle path leading from the State Park to Highland Park. The students used a wide variety of visual tools - from powerpoint presentations to table displays to multi-media trail layouts.

One of the highlights of the open house was learning more about the City of Los Angeles' heritage, culture, and history. Most trails had themes: foodie places to stop, historic buildings to see, natural resources to see, monuments to see, Little Tokyo sites, Downtown Civic sites, and so on. It was fascinating watching the students 'defend' their work and this sometimes jaded writer who has been in Southern California for over 30 years had to admit she learned something new!

My personal favorite: the skateboarding trail from Chinatown to the Cornfields. Based on the terrific work done here, I see a number of promising planners for our future.

Arroyo Property of the Week

Highland Park along the Arroyo Seco seems to be the place to be these days for terrific rehabs of residential properties, adding upgrades and hip modern touches.

This week we get to look at a great 'pocket listing' nestled in the hills north of York Boulevard. That's right. It's not in the multiple listing service (MLS) but you can learn about it here!

This recently refurbished property features a terraced hillside footprint with unobstructed views.

The main house, located on the upper terrace, includes a wrap-around terrace for entertaining and to take in those fabulous views. The property is full of the lush urban nature ambiance so loved in the Arroyo Culture of Northeast Los Angeles.

The studio on the lower terrace is the perfect writer's retreat, quiet with bucolic views.

Both the main house and the studio boast open floor plans with sleek detailing. The kichen- dining area great room is perfect for both casual dining and parties.

Enticed so far? Check out lots of property photos here: http://www.1843upperton.com/

This adorable 3 bedroom, 2 bath property plus studio can be yours for $649,000.

And don't worry. Just because the property is not being promoted via the MLS doesn't mean that you can't see it, because it will be open this Sunday, January 30th, from 1-4pm.

Just remember when you stop by to mention that you found out about this terrific property from the Arroyo Lover!

Cal Poly Students Roam the LA River on Bicycles

Last Saturday found the Cal Poly Pomona Urban & Regional Planning 487 class on the streets of Elysian Valley, doing a site visit as part of their conceptual design plan to create a Neighborhood Gateway Center in this neighborhood on the West Bank of the Los Angeles River.

But this was no typical planning site visit. It was a bicycle tour of the neighborhood and LA River by 40 enthusiastic planning students, searching for the clues that make each community, including Elysian Valley, unique.

The morning started with coffee and overview presentations by LA River, CRA-LA, and neighborhood leaders at the Frank Romero Frogtown Art Studio on Blake Avenue.

Speakers included LA River Office Director, Dr. Carol Armstrong, CRA-LA liaison to the LA River Revitalization Corporation, Jason Neville, Friends of the LA River Executive Director Shelly Backlar, Dorris Place Elementary Principal Susan Grant, and CRA-LA Northeast Los Angeles River Study Area Planner and Team Leader, Allison Becker. Also in attendance for CRA were Jessica Cowley of the Neighborhood Design Studio, Outreach Coordinator Michael Cortez, and Technical Services Coordinator Alex Holsheimer.  Each short presentation helped orient the students to the neighborhood's history and character as well as opportunities and challenges for river restoration and community revitalization.

Then it was outside to the bicycles and a roving tour of the neighborhood and the river, via the newly opened LA River Bicycle Path, to visit landmarks, ask questions of the presenters who were posted at various stations throughout the community, and take pictures of buildings, green streets, and local color that will help them design an important new gateway community hub that will connect Frogtown, as it is affectionately called, with the LA River and beyond, including an imagined future bridge across the River to connect this neighborhood with Taylor Yard and the Rio de Los Angeles State Park on the East Bank.

Based upon the level of curiosity and energy at the site visit, expectations are high for a terrific final conceptual plan, which will be completed in March.  Check back then to see the final product.

Special thanks to local businesses Antigua Cultural Coffee House for providing coffee and Flying Pigeon LA for providing bicycles.

How about exploring your neighborhood from the seat of a bicycle?

Arroyo Property of the Week

How about this for a view?

One of the great reasons why so many people love to live along the Arroyo Seco in Los Angeles is the terrific viewshed from the rolling hills of the region.

Often I talk about historic properties and Arroyo Culture, but today I want to focus on the great new architectural styling that defines the Arroyo as well.

Sleek and modern yet well-designed for a hillside lot, this inspired architectural home from award-winning John Raymond Byram AIA exhibits a signature presence that exudes a stately confidence.

This 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath open floor plan's interior does not disappoint, either. From the cook's kitchen with state of the art appliances to the high end finishes and materials, including bamboo flooring and custom aluminum windows and doors, this elegant home will please anyone who appreciates modernist architecture.

Byram, a Pasadena-based architect who has designed a number of homes in Northeast Los Angeles, is also a professional watercolorist, and his eye for color and line are evident everywhere in this magnificent property.

Its perch on a quiet cul-de-sac with easy access to freeways and shopping blends the best of the city with an urban nature ambiance.

But why take my word for it? You can check out this amazing property yourself this Sunday, January 23rd, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Details here: http://www.3907verdugoview.com/

How About Some Geotourism along the Arroyo Seco?

What is geotourism and how is it different from ecotourism?

According to the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, geotourism goes beyond ecotourism because its goal is to sustain and enhance the geographic character of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well being of its residents.

The Conservancy, in a public-private partnership with the National Geographic Society and the Sierra Business Council, has undertaken The Sierra Nevada Geotourism Project, which seeks to celebrate the Sierra Nevada as a world‐class destination, while contributing to the economic health of the region by promoting sustainable tourism.

History buffs and adventurers, backpackers and foodies, birders and sightseers can discover unique destinations based on recommendations from those who know best — residents of the Sierra Nevada.

Nominations for three regions have been completed and this week marks the kick-off for nominations for the Southern Sierra Nevada, which includes my beloved Kern River. This video tells more about the mapping nomination process:

Why am I blogging about the Siera Nevada when my focus is on the Arroyo Seco and Los Angeles Rivers? First, because many Southern Calfornians visit and enjoy the Sierra Nevadas regularly, so why not suggest your favorite places?

You can make your nominations here: http://www.sierranevadageotourism.org/participate.php

Just as importantly, I'm wondering why don't we have our own Arroyo Seco and Los Angeles River Watershed Geotourism Project? What do you think? How do we set one up? How do we let Southern California visitors know that we have terrific natural wonders and unique local character(s) to behold?