Emerald Neckace Project Continues

In 2003, the Angeles Chapter's San Gabriel River Campaign took a bold step. Following the success of its 2002 San Gabriel Confluence Park Study, performed by Cat Poly Pomona's Studio 606, it solicited $71,l000 from five separate agencies, including the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC), City of El Monte, and Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (DWP) to study and publish a report describing park opportunities along the Rio Honda north of Whittier Narrows Dam. An additional $15,000 contribution from the Angeles Chapter Foundation (ACF) was instrumental in financing completion of the project report.

Walkdowns performed by Campaign volunteers and Chapter Conservation staff disclosed a wealth of potential park opportunits along the Rio Honda on land in both public an private ownership. Linked by connections between the Rio Honda and San Gabriel River, a 17-mile loop of trails and connected parks emerged in a report prepared for the Sierra Club by Amigos de los Rios in 2004. The emerging concept became known as the Emerald Necklace and has attracted great support from San Gabriel Valley cities, agencies and environmental organizations.

Two of the proposed parks were completed in El Monte within a few years by Amigos de los Rios with funding provided by Supervisor Gloria Molina, City of El Monte and the RMC. Landscaped with native plants, Lashbrook and Rio Vista Parks provided welcome respites to bikeway travelers and local residents alike, incorporating river boulders and riparian plants wfth artwork, benches, educatonal displays and other amenities which evoked the natural environment of these waterways, attracting wild birds as well as human visitors back to the urban rivers. Although not directly on the Ernerald Necklace loop, the Encanto Nature Walk was recently dedicated in the City of Duarte. This facility includes a 1000 foot long bioswale and an outdoor classroom, as well as a trail along the soft-bottomed San Gabriel River channel. This trail leads to a viewpoint extending into the channel from which there is a fine view on clear winter days of snow-capped Mount San Antonio.

With State funding once again becoming available, work is now beginning on two major projects to continue implementation of the Emerald Necklace vision initiated by the Sierra Club and the Angeles Chapter Foundation. Construction has recently started on Phase 1 of a project to transform the 57-acre parcel, formerly owned by the Woodland farms Duck Farm, into a nature park with two miles of frontage along the San Gabriel River at its confluence with San Jose Creek. Ultimately connected by bridges to two major bicycle routes and equestrian trails, this park will create a readily accessible landscape evocative of earlier days in the history of southern California when residents lived in closer contact with their natural surroundings.

A second project by RMC and its partner agency, the Watershed Conservation Authority (WCA), will seek to work toward broad implementation of the Emerald Necklace. A contract has recently been issued by WCA to Withers and Sandgren for $440,000 to evaluate project Implementation and prepare a Program Environmental Impact Report, Assisting in this work will be Blue Green Consultants, designers of the Encanto Nature Walk. Focusing on potential Emerald Necklace projects located within rights-of-way currently in public ownership, this project will go a long way toward advancing the vision for restoring the urban rivers.

The Angeles Chapter Foundation is pleased to have participated with the Angeles Chapter in its initial work to formulate this plan. ACF provides a vehicle for individuals to make tax-deductible donat1ons, through direct contributions, bequests, and other financial vehicles which will allow supporters of the environment to leave a long-term legacy for their cause. Operating independently of the Chapter, with its own Board of Directors, ACF seeks opportunities to partner with Chapter entities and others on proactive projects that will advance environmenal protection and low-impact outdoor recreation. As with the Emerald Necklace project, ACF also provides a repository for grant funds solicited by Chapter entities, with the capability to supplement those kinds within its priorities and budget.