River LA

About

River LA is a nonprofit organization working to ensure that the 51-mile Los Angeles River integrates design and infrastructure to bring people, water, and nature together. 

It champions river-oriented policy, sustainable public spaces and creating innovative models for community betterment and participation. 

Specifically, River LA is working to:

  • Create social and economic value along the LA River.
  • Connect neighborhoods to the LA River and accelerate the corridor's role as an alternative transport route.
  • Bring people to the LA River for recreation, learning, and public engagements.
  • Enhance the river channel and advance habitat restoration by incorporating green infrastructure improvements.

The organization's projects include: 

  • LA River Index - an online resource with data from existing studies and master plans on the LA River, including input from community listening sessions and its own expert research.
  • Urban AG in the CASP - a greening plan that sets forth strategies to encourage and implement urban agriculture in the Cornfield Arroyo Specific Plan (CASP) section of Los Angeles near Union Station.
  • Rio Vistas - a plan to transform the 300+ street ends by the LA River that are public rights-of-way--often overgrown or derelict--into vibrant and visually appealing areas that benefit the community through recreational and environmentally sensitive uses.
  • La Kretz Crossing - the first cable bridge to be built in the region, connecting North Atwater Park to Griffith Park and offering spectacular views of the river, surrounding neighborhoods and parks, and downtown Los Angeles.
Details

Established:
2010

Leader:
Omar Brownson
Executive Director

Location:
Downtown LA & Long Beach

Area served:
Los Angeles County

# of employees:
1-15

Organizational Model:
Nonprofit (donations)

Guidestar Report  

 

 

Photos 
River LA and Friends of the LA River Event
LaBonge River Crossing
Running along the LA River