Lower LA River Gateway Greenway Park Project

Paramount & Long Beach, California

Working with Los Angeles County, SALT developed plans to enhance a historic equestrian trail segment, advancing a broader vision to connect open spaces along the Lower LA River, enrich ecological systems, and create more inclusive, multimodal access to nature for neighboring communities.

Community Engagement

To engage the trail’s most active users, SALT set up stations along the trail to intercept pedestrians, cyclists, and riders and receive their feedback. An online survey supplemented the information gathered onsite.

Visitors expressed a desire for an increased sense of safety along the trail, which passes through light industrial zones and is sunken below the surrounding grade in some areas. Improvements to adjacent public spaces, especially the 72nd Street Equestrian Park, also emerged as a priority.

Building a Regional Network

The 2020 LA River Master Plan sets out ambitious goals and guidelines for access by pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians along the entirety of the river trail. Implementation of the plan requires improving existing trails, segment by segment, and addressing gaps in the network.

The Lower LA River Trail Gateway is a 1.3-mile segment that passes through the cities of Paramount, Compton, and Long Beach. The area is home to a diverse community of dedicated horseback riders who appreciate the existing trail’s accessible paths and connection to the 72nd Street Equestrian Park, a three-acre public arena for riding and public gathering.

However, equestrian riders currently share pathways with bicycles and pedestrians, creating conflicts. Many locations along the trail are unlit, uninviting, and frequently flooded. SALT proposed cost-effective improvements to make the trail more functional and welcoming.

Proposed Transition

SALT’s plan addresses community needs through simple upgrades. The design proposes drought-tolerant planting along the trail to increase shade, and basic regrading to address flooding. Pull-out zones, hydration stations, lighting, ramps, and crosswalks make the trail more comfortable and easier to access. A gateway pavilion, following the design guidelines of the Lower LA River Master plan has been included in the design, and provides universal accessibility along with bike storage, seating and lighting to help reduce safety concerns.

Trails will be separated by transportation mode, with dirt trails dedicated to horses and a paved bike lane for cyclists. Page & Place designed wayfinding signage to ease navigation, as well as interpretive signage on the ecological value of the river and the rich equestrian culture of the adjacent communities. Simple materials updates including a split-rail pine fence separates modes of transport and reinforces a rustic identity for the trail.

Lower LA River Gateway Greenway Park Project

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