A new stream of revenue is heading for the Los Angeles River. Around $100 million in new state funding has been dedicated to help revitalize the Los Angeles river as part of California's new budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year.
The flood of money is intended for the city to create new recreation and open space along the river that flows 51 miles through the city of Los Angeles.
"Expanding access to green open spaces in communities such as those along the L.A. River corridor has been a priority of mine since I joined the legislature,'' de Leon said at a news conference at Marsh Park in Elysian Valley, located on the banks of the river. ``Children living along the corridor suffer disproportionately from asthma, obesity and diabetes - conditions we can avoid by providing more healthy outdoor space for recreation.''
The effort to return LA's famous concrete river to a more natural state has been going on for years. The city recently completed an aquisition of the 41-acre Taylor Yard G2 land parcel, which was formerly a Union Pacific Railroad facility. The city plans on turning their new property into a public 'green space.'
"This is a historic moment for the Los Angeles River,'' said Marissa Christiansen, executive director of Friends of the Los Angeles River. ``Pro-Tem de Leon and Speaker (Anthony) Rendon have demonstrated the type of unified, collaborative leadership that will ultimately lead to a thriving natural resource for all Angelenos. This funding comes at a pivotal moment in the river's history and will truly make a meaningful impact in its progress forward.''