Land Revitalization Success Stories | EPA 560-F-l 7-211
September 2017
Improving Stormwater Management
STORMWATER IMPROVEMENT THROUGH AN URBAN GREENWAY
LOS ANGELES RIVER AND ALISO CREEK GREENWAY. LOS ANGELES.
CALIFORNIA. EPA REGION 9
in the 19th and 20th centuries, the Los Angeles (LA) River powered the city's industry and served as an important
transportation corridor, creating economic value and growth. As development encroached upon the river's floodplain in the
1930s and 1940s, the city channelized the river. Over the years, the river was neglected and became an eyesore in many
areas. Today, the city recognizes the potential benefits of revitalizing the river and the positive
impact it could bring to adjacent neighborhoods. Under the LA River Revitalization Master Plan,
over 50 organizations are participating in projects to improve the LA River corridor. The entire
LA River watershed is undergoing a transformation as part of a master planning process aimed
toward returning the flood control channel to a natural and scenic waterway system that will
enhance the value of the river to the region recreationally, economically, and ecologically.
LA County and the Trust for Public Land (TPL) requested assistance from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Land Revitalization Team in designing
environmentally-sensitive public improvement projects along the LA River. TPL focused on
developing trails and open spaces, and using stormwater best management practices (BMPs)
throughout the river corridor to improve water quality.
The project area is an approximately %-mile stretch of channel corridor near
the confluence of Aliso Creek with the LA River in the Reseda section of Los
Angeles. The project goal is to advance the design for a greenway and trail
segment to be developed at an existing maintenance service area within the
channel right-of-way on the north bank of the LA River and the west bank of
Aliso Creek. The project incorporates brownfield restoration along the trail and
street-side BMPs at three street end locations along the greenway that also
serve as public access points into the trailway. The greenway and pedestrian
facilities are intended to be first installments within a larger trail system running
along the region's waterway. Future plans include connecting various area
parks and open spaces via the trail system.
The Team conducted a site visit to gather data and meet with local stakeholders
including TPL and city and county agencies that have jurisdictional and review
control over portions of the project. The Team was provided with 30% design
drawings of the project area developed as part of a previous design effort. The
Team tested the 30% design against information gathered during the site visit
and subsequent analysis. As it developed the 60% design drawings, the Team
refined the initial design concept to reflect physical conditions, other related
projects, and BMPs. The design includes: a multi-use trail with granite and
concrete banding at street ends to provide visual interest; permeable paver
systems; riprap spillways with native stone cobbles; biofiltration planters with
native, wet-tolerant plantings; street-side planting beds with shade trees;
terraced planters; elevated deck features; street end and greenway
landscaping; low-water-use irrigation; lawn gathering space; retaining walls and
natural stone outcroppings; decorative gates, fences, and guardrails; flagstone
paving and seating; and kinetic sculptures and accent pedestals.
The Team delivered a 60% design set and a high-level Basis of Design
Report that summarized existing site information, captured design decisions,
and identified major plan objectives to be referenced with future advancement
of the project.
higure 1. Photo looking west showing typical
condition of the existing channel corridor.
LESSONS LEARNED
When designing a small incrementa!
traii/greenway project, it is vital to follow the
standards of the larger master plan.
Strict federal or local guidelines and standards
do not have to limit creative design solutions.
Even small stormwater BMPs can have a large
impact on sustainability.
PLANNED POST-TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
ACTIVITIES
•	Further evaluate existing site conditions and
continue to engage stakeholders.
•	Engage adjacent neighborhoods to build
support and interest for the project.
•	Advance construction documents to final
(100%) level and build project.
Figure 2, Planting Plan at Yolanda Avenue Street End,
For more information, please contact Noemi Emeric-Ford, EPA Region 9, at emeric-ford.noemi@epa.gov.

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