Destination: Los Angeles River Bike Path
Cost: $0
When I was a kid at Canoga Park High, I had no idea the
school was situated at the official beginning of the Los Angeles River. There
was a big wash along one side, which was furtively, yet ceremoniously entered
by graduating seniors each year, under cover of night, in order to paint a bold
mural along the concrete walls, enshrining the class name and year.
The LA River has come back in vogue, thanks to the hard work
of teams of environmentalists and activists. Check out Rock the Boat, a film
which chronicles the adventures of some early river advocates who paddled from
the San Fernando Valley to the sea. In the news this past week, our LA Mayor
has secured funding to greatly enhance the Los Angeles River experience by
creating more bike paths, walkways and art zones along the concrete channel.
A new section of the LA
River Bike Path opened in the West Valley, starting just east of my alma
mater near the intersection of Vanowen and Owensmouth. It’s so new that the
signs and trash cans are still covered in plastic, yet local graffiti artists have already,
sadly, left their mark. This wide swath of crushed granite provides a fun way
to ride through the valley, separated from the wacky motorists who honk their
way along city streets. I only had time to ride a short stretch down to
Mason St. – but I’ll be back to see if the route continues to the Sepulveda
Basin.
With forward vision, great planning and lots of money - a
bike path will be built from Canoga Park High to the Queen Mary in Long Beach.
What an amazing amenity for citizens of LA.
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