By Jason KUROSU

Designs for a new skate park, a bike path and a potential change in local bus routes were among the topics on the Crescenta Valley Town Council’s agenda Thursday night, offering residents in attendance a look at some projects in development.

The proposal for a skate park within Crescenta Valley Park emerged from the efforts of teenage members of the Fire House and CV Youth Town Council, who eventually formed the CV Skate Park Committee. The committee met with Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Frank Gonzales several times thereafter, crafting a suitable skate park from the recommendations made by actual skaters.

Los Angeles County Parks Development Division Chief Jim Smith attended the Crescenta Valley Town Council meeting with updates and park designs for the council and audience members. Smith detailed how the teens worked with architects and parks officials to design the park, which he said would accommodate skaters of varying skill levels. Smith called the process of gathering input at community meetings and working through the different versions and iterations of the park “an amazing evolution of design.”

“It’s a place for families,” said Smith while discussing the blend of obstacles that would challenge experienced skaters while keeping novices undeterred from trying all the park had to offer.

Parks and Recreation is also constructing a new restroom, as the closest available restroom is on the other side of the park.

Smith said the next step is for the Dept. of Public Works to oversee permitting and construction management.

The project will cost just over $1 million.

Paul Rabinov, representing the Arroyo Verdugo Trail Committee, introduced another potential recreational project to the council, a 9.4 mile elevated pedestrian/bicycle pathway along the Verdugo Wash.

“Public safety should remain the primary function of the wash,” said Rabinov. “But at the same time, its presence gives us a chance to consider opportunities for additional use.”

Rabinov used a bike path in Denver, Colorado as a model for the Verdugo Wash path. The Cherry Creek bike path runs twelve miles along part of the South Platte River, a paved commuter path for both bikers and pedestrians.

Rabinov said that such a path would provide recreational, safety and economic benefits.
recreational, safety and economic benefits.

“The economic benefits may be most evident in central Glendale where the city is making a strong push to increase density, the opportunity for outdoor activities and the desirability as a place for people to live,” he said.

Rabinov also said that studies have shown that property values increase for homes located near such pathways. The proposed path would run adjacent to five public parks and 16 schools.

More public outreach with communities near the wash is the committee’s next step, as well as meeting with the Glendale City Council to request authorization for a feasibility study. Rabinov requested support from the CV Town Council in their efforts to secure a study.

The town council made a motion to approve a letter in support for a feasibility study.

A bus route which cuts right through the heart of Montrose may also see changes. Scott Page, manager of Service Planning at Metro, visited the town council to discuss alternatives to Metro’s Line 91, which Page deemed unsafe due to one intersection in particular.

Page identified the problematic intersection as that of Ocean View Boulevard and Honolulu Avenue, where buses on the 91 Line travel south on Ocean View and turn right onto Honolulu. The bulb out at the corner of Ocean View and Honolulu forces buses to make wide turns, often bringing the 45-foot long bus in close proximity with oncoming traffic.

Page also said that a left turn onto Honolulu was precluded by the stop on Ocean View just before the intersection.

The alternatives Page presented before the council were alternate routes which either avoided taking the turn or avoided the intersection altogether.

Option A would avoid Honolulu and rejoin the usual 91 route along Foothill Boulevard west of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Option B would be the elimination of Route 91, while retaining the 90 line.

A third option was what Page called the “Farmer’s Market Route,” which would take Florencita Avenue to connect with Honolulu, skipping the problematic Ocean View intersection. However, it was noted that this option would greatly increase bus traffic on Florencita, something Florencita residents may not be open to.

The public comment process begins on June 29. Comments may be sent to servicechanges@metro.net until the results are presented to the San Fernando Valley Service Council on Sept. 3. Any modifications to the route would not take effect until late December.

A public hearing will be held at the Marvin Braude Constituent Center in Van Nuys on Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m.

  Jason Kurosu