Issues that affect the quality of life of residents, access to parks and open space is a too-often ignored and crucial component of public health. Living near, or having convenient access to, a park has been proven to greatly improve the physical and mental health of communities. Public parks provide areas for exercise, community services and exposure to nature and improve air quality.

It is no secret that in our region many of our parks and public open spaces are “locked” away from residents either by development or because of our extensive road infrastructure. For many in the 43rd Assembly District, parks and all the health benefits that accompany them are just not a part of their lives – and this is predominately due to a lack of access.

One of the most significant public parks in our district, Griffith Park, features over 4,300 acres of open space. Griffith serves as one of our district’s greatest gems – a vast and services-rich park that is the pride of Los Angeles. Glendale is a large city that has many park poor areas, particularly below the 134 Freeway. Although Glendale is in close physical proximity to Griffith Park, many residents lack safe and easy access to this terrific amenity.  

This is why I decided to fight, fortunately successfully, for $20 million in funding to complete the third and final phase of the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk, a pedestrian and bicycle bridge spanning the Los Angeles River between Glendale and Griffith Park.

Originally opened in 2012, the Riverwalk in its first phase provided a mile-long recreational trail, two parks, public art installations and an equestrian facility. The second phase, completed in 2014, introduced additional park areas, a small bridge and bike paths. For both phases, the infrastructure was constructed solely along the north bank of the LA River. The final phase is a bridge to provide the 100,000 residents who live within one mile of the Riverwalk project safe and convenient access to Griffith Park and the LA River Bike path, which leads to Hollywood, downtown Los Angeles and eventually all the way to Long Beach.

Currently, to access Griffith Park or the LA River bike path, cyclists have to risk detours through congested city streets through Los Angeles or Burbank. With the 134 Freeway being the only way for Glendale drivers to directly access the park, many of us find the trip too inconvenient. The final phase of the Riverwalk will fix this problem and give residents direct and safe access to what has been called “The Central Park of Los Angeles.”

I was able to secure the $20 million in funding by negotiating it to be a part of SB 5 (the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018), which creates a bond to fund the expansion and preservation of our parks and natural resources, which will go to the voters in November 2018.

I fought for the inclusion of this funding so that we can take a giant leap forward in becoming a healthier and more connected community, with increased access to parks and alternative transportation options. The completion of this bridge will connect networks of bike and pedestrian paths on both the Los Angeles and Glendale side of the river. But this bridge will do more than unify bike and pedestrian paths; this bridge will unify our communities. With the completion of the Riverwalk we will open those living on the north bank of the river to one of our district’s greatest treasures and, as a result, we will greatly improve the quality of life for thousands who call the 43rd their home.