Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell spends a lot of time on the Los Angeles River canoeing and biking. But for him, the river is not just a space for relaxation but a place that worries him from an ecological point of view.
He also lives just over a mile from the river, in the neighborhood of Glassell Park in the city of Los Angeles.
“I have a spiritual connection with the Los Angeles River”. And he explains: “the first who were there thousands of years before us, were the Native Americans. We are talking about the Tataviam Indians and the various tribes that inhabited this land. The river was life as it has always been. ”
Their connection is such that in 2013, was sworn in as a Los Angeles councilor right on the Los Angeles River.
“The chief of the Wyandottes, my tribe in Oklahoma, traveled to Los Angeles to take my oath on the river. ”
But since 2000, before being elected, when he joined the team of then-Councilor Eric Garcetti and a specialized committee on the Los Angeles River was formed, started working on the issue.
“The chairman of the committee was Councilor Ed Reyes and Garcetti was one of its members.
“Since 19 years I have worked in the River. ”
There are two aspects on which it has focused: improving the lives of the riverside communities, and that people appreciate the beauty of the River and enjoy the environment.
“In the district 13, of which I am a councilor, we have Elysian Valley from where we are going to ‘kayak’, and the Atwater Village communities and Glassell Park that are close to the River. ”
He said that when activities like kayaking are allowed, more people come to this tributary. “I want you to appreciate this incredible resource that runs through the heart of Los Angeles. A quarter of our city population, about a million people, live within a mile of the Los Angeles River. ”
The river is open for canoeing until 30 of September. “I also recommend fishing, but then releasing the fish. We have to respect the environment as we do when we go down a path or when we enter the mountain. We must be respectful of the river just like Native Americans, our ancestors and ancestors. ”
In the Burbank and Griffith Park area, on all further north, the river has an equestrian use, he said.
Currently, the councilor works on habitat restoration, infrastructure improvements and the opening of bridges over the River.
“There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work we’ve done with the Elysian Valley riverside community.”
He wants to ensure that as access improves and its proper use is encouraged, the communities along the river are not left behind.
“We are providing protections to limit the size of the construction of large complexes and preserve the character of the neighborhood. ”
While attracting investments for ecological improvements, they take care of the neighborhoods and make sure to give them protections, he emphasized .
Councilman O’Farrell recently introduced a resolution to the Los Angeles City Council to obtain more funding for habitat restoration, which will be significantly degraded when the river was channeled since the beginning of the years 30 until the 50 and 60. “The natural habitat and fauna suffered such as the trout that swam to Canoga Park, before they put in the channels that are evident in the district 13 ”.
He mentioned that the steelhead trout is still trying to survive. “We have to find a way to restore as much of the habitat, as possible, so that the fauna can thrive.”
He said that restoration and conservation are directly related to improving the environment environment in the city center, as this has a powerful effect in stopping climate change and heat islands in urban areas.
He added that the river is a fundamental focus to reverse the effects of the climatic crises in the urban nucleus of Los Angeles.
How do you envision the Los Angeles River in the near future?
“I see it as a park of 51 miles long all over Los Angeles, with better connectivity thanks to some of the bridges I’ve worked on, whether car or pedestrian so people can walk and cross the river at various points. ”
Revealed that the Taylor Yard Bridge in Elysian Valley was opened will go in a couple of months. They have an equestrian bridge at North Mountain Water and the Verdugo Wash bridge that connects the city of Glendale and its riverside road with the city of Los Angeles; and there are restoration projects everywhere.
Councilor O’Farrell envisions the river as a green strip that will connect Los Angeles like never before, with a nod to our past, but looking toward the future. “I think it’s a metaphor for how the future of Los Angeles can come to be.”
Motions and resolutions on the Los Angeles River
- Los Angeles River Master Plan
- Los Angeles River Recreation Areas
- Taylor Yard Project
- Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Project
Glendale Riverwalk Project (near Atwater Village in the city of The Angels)
These legislations have aimed at spearheading efforts to build numerous bridges along the Los Angeles River; also to have a cleanup team that regularly maintains and beautifies the river as well as to bring safety and utility projects to communities around the river such as Elysian Valley and Atwater Village.
One of the motions expanded public access to the Los Angeles River and allows activities such as kayaking, fishing, hiking and bird watching.
You have also searched to reset Los Angeles River habitat in the segment of 11 miles between the Griffith and downtown Los Angeles, while maintaining flood risk management levels.