Rio Vistas
“Rio Vistas” are mini-parks built on the end of streets that dead-end at the LA River. They are existing public rights-of-way that can be transformed for aesthetic, recreational and environmental benefit. There are more than 300 streets that intersect with the LA River. Unfortunately, most of these cul de sacs are unmarked, overgrown, derelict or have unauthorized private encroachments. Our program helped community members rethink the possibilities of this space, and put their thoughts into action!
In 2116, River LA and The Walt Disney Company started the Rio Vistas project with Disney’s $1 million commitment. "Today is truly a great moment for the Los Angeles River community made up neighbors, school administrators, and industry professionals who joined together to design, develop and now break ground on three iconic Rio Vista Parks along the river in Elysian Valley," said River LA Executive Director Omar Brownson. “At River LA, we are proud to be a part of a greater effort to co-create sustainable projects that convert neglected street ends into vibrant access points to the Los Angeles River."
"We are proud to support River LA in this effort to connect families with nature and improve neighborhoods in the community,” said Kevin Callahan, vice president of community and engagement, Corporate Citizenship at Disney. “Our hope is that these new parks will encourage children to build an appreciation for spending time outdoors and will inspire them to protect the environment.”
The Rio Vista innovative continued In conjunction with Glen Dake/Miguel Luna (GDML) and the NELA Riverfront Collaborative. We worked with LA River High School students, community members, school administrators, and industry professionals to design and develop ’shovel-ready’ projects along the LA River in Elysian Valley, where 27 streets dead-end into the LA River. LA River High School students applied project learning to the design of sustainable interventions that convert neglected street ends into community assets or “Rio Vistas” for public use. With community input and participation, students developed designs for three Rio Vistas that abut the L.A. River in Elysian Valley.
Improving street ends will re-orient neighborhoods towards the LA River, open up access to the existing bike path, and allow for enjoyment of waterfront open space. Rio Vistas could include installing green infrastructure, improving pathways, benches, and adding low-maintenance, drought-resistant plantings.