Important Upcoming Los Angeles River Meetings & Outreach

Spring is in the air and there are lots of upcoming public events providing information and updates on the restoration and revitalization of the Los Angeles River.

1. Los Angeles has released a Notice of Intent to issue a Negative Declaration for the Albion Dairy and Remediation for the Albion Riverside Park Project. Comments can be submitted until February 4, 2011, to Maria.Martin@lacity.org.

The Initial Study is available for review at the Lincoln Heights Branch Library, 2530 Workman Street; Council District 1 - District Office, 163 South Avenue 24, Room 202, Lincoln Heights 90031; Bureau of Engineering, Environmental Management Group (EMG), 1149 S. Broadway (contact Maria Martin at (213) 485-5753); or online at http://eng.lacity.org/techdocs/emg.

2. CRA/LA is seeking community members for its Northeast Los Angeles (NELA) River Corridor Study Area Steering Committee. This one-year term volunteer board is open to residents and business owners in the communities of Atwater Village, Cypress Park, Elysian Valley and Glassell Park. The deadline for application is January 28, 2011. Detailed information and the application are available at http://www.crala.org/internet-site/Projects/NELA/News_Events.cfm

3. CRA/LA is also seeking members for its Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan & Redevelopment Project Area Community Advisory Committee.This one-year term volunteer board is open to residents and business owners in the communities covered by the CASP. The deadline for application is February 11, 2011. Detailed information on qualifications to sit on this committee and application are available at: http://www.crala.org/internetsite/Projects/Proposed_Cornfield_Arroyo_Seco/Plans_and_Work_Program.cfm

4. The 2011 Los Angeles River Update Meeting, A Confluence of Communities and Ideas,  will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2011, from 6-8:30pm at the Office of City Councilmember Dennis Zine (District 3), 19040 Vanowen Street, Reseda, near the recently approved LA River - Aliso Creek Confluence Project. Current San Fernando Valley LA River Projects can be accessed here: http://ens.lacity.org/councilcmte/lariver/events/lariverevents265269847_01132011.pdf

5. SAVE THE DATE! Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's 2011 'Day of Service' will focus solely on LA River-related projects this year. The Day of Service will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011, to coincide with the Friends of the Los Angeles River annual La Gran Limpieza River Cleanup. Details are forthcoming at http://www.lariver.org/ and http://www.folar.org/.

Cruising Down the Arroyo Seco

Last Saturday, 100 bicyclists of all ages and abilities came together for the first Tour de Arroyo bicycle cruise along the 9.6 mile urban portion of the Arroyo Seco.

Why?

First, to honor the memory of Pasadena bicycle activist, Dennis Crowley, who died suddenly last fall at the age of 60. Dennis excited everyone he met with his vision of an Arroyo Seco Cycleway that would allow commuters to ride on a Class I Bicycle Path between Pasadena and Los Angeles (or Los Angeles and Pasadena, depending upon the starting point) without the hassle of street crossing or street riding.


Secondly, to enjoy the varied terrain that surrounds the Arroyo ~ starting from tree lined streets in Pasadena to the in-channel bicycle path from the South Pasadena border to Los Angeles' Montecito Heights Recreation Center through graffiti tagged industrial areas of LA over the Spring Street Bridge with a destination of the new Cornfields State Park, nestled next to Chinatown with an amazing view of the LA City skyline to the south and the San Gabriel Mountains to the North.


Thirdly, to build awareness of the importance of an Arroyo Seco Bikeway in advance of tonight's (Tues. 6/2) meeting with Los Angeles County planners on such a route, slated for 6pm at the Los Angeles River Center, 570 W. Avenue 26, Los Angeles, CA 90065.


Most of all, TO HAVE FUN!! And fun we had ~ a perfect overcast morning in the 70's, no flat tires, no accidents, and lots of laughter. Even the novice riders proclaimed: that was easy!


Upon reaching the Cornfields, the bicyclists held a short rally honoring Dennis' memory and talking about the importance of a commutable cycleway, especially needed in light of Los Angeles' very poor options for on-street bicycle riding with any degree of safety.


After the rally, some bicyclists cycled back to Pasadena, stopping at notable spots along the way, including the Southwest Museum (LA's oldest), the Audubon at Debs Park, and the Lummis House (built entirely from Arroyo Seco river rock).


Others took the Gold Line 'sag wagon', the terrific light rail service between Downtown LA and Pasadena where passengers can ride with their bikes.


A few of us though couldn't resist a feast of dim sum at Chinatown's Ocean Seafood Restaurant ~ yum~yum!


Best of all, we captured it all on videotape and our ride leader, Dan Sharp, even got his 15 seconds of fame aboard his monster bike on the early local television evening news.


In case you missed this ride, you'll have another chance to ride along the river ~ this time, the Los Angeles River, this Sunday, June 7th as part of the 9th Annual LA River Ride: http://www.la-bike.org/.