Designers for L.A. River Green Belt Chosen

Urban design and planning firm Gruen Associates has been chosen by Los Angeles to lead the design of 12 miles of the San Fernando Valley portion of the Los Angeles River Greenway. Gruen, in Los Angeles, will be assisted by landscape architects Mia Lehrer and Associates, architectural firm Oyler Wu and engineering firm Psomas, all in Los Angeles. This portion of the project will take in the bike path from Vanalden Avenue in the West Valley to Forest Lawn Drive/Zoo Drive near Griffith Park. The greenway as a whole stretches from Canoga Park to Elysian Valley. The design will include walkways, landscaped areas to support natural habitat, fencing, gates, lighting, signage, shade elements and storm water capture features. Mayor Eric Garcetti called the Los Angeles River a common thread linking the city’s residents to the natural world. “This bikeway will give all Angelenos a new way to experience our city, build accessibility to our revitalized river, and expand green space for families to enjoy,” Garcetti said in a prepared statement. The 12-mile segment of the greenway is a collaboration between the city and Los Angeles County, with both jointly funding the design. A detailed feasibility on the segment will be completed in the next nine months and construction will be done in phases.