Two LaBonge park projects funded

A conceptual design of the North Atwater Park Expansion project, awarded a $2 million grant by the State of California. Download a larger version on our Flickr page.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge proudly announced today the awarding of $3.7 million in grants for the creation of a new park in Council District Four and the expansion of an existing park. State grants were awarded this week for the creation of Sunnynook River Park, which the Councilmember has been pushing for since he was elected in 2001, and the expansion of North Atwater Park.
     “This is great news because both projects make it easier for people to experience the Los Angeles River. Historically, the river is what attracted the first settlers to this spot and now, there are many Angelenos who don’t even know it’s there,” the Councilmember said. “As a big supporter of city parks, I am very happy that we’ll have more green space in the Fourth Council District.”
     Councilmember LaBonge has been pressing city departments to establish the Sunnynook River Park between the I-5 Freeway and the Los Angeles River just north of the Hyperion Bridge. The city will lease this five-acre parcel from CalTrans and re-landscape it with native plants. The park design will include walking paths to encourage Griffith Park visitors to take the Sunnynook Pedestrian Bridge across I-5 to the park and walk along the River.
     This $1.7 million project was awarded $350,000 through the State of California’s A.B. 471 Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program as well as $1.35 million from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
     A city storage area will be re-developed as park space with a $2 million state grant that was announced this week. About 1,800 feet of new biking and hiking trails will be landscaped with native plants and trees at North Atwater Park with funding from Proposition 50. The design also includes picnic areas, scenic vista points and interpretive signage along the Los Angeles River. This on approximately 1.3 acre parcel will link the existing park and restored creek with the adjacent LA River Greenway and surrounding community.

Proposed Bureau of Engineering plans for Sunnynook Park (PDF)