State Assemblywoman and former Glendale City Council Member Laura Friedman secured $20 million for the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk “Garden” Bridge,” which will connect bike paths and other recreation spaces on the Glendale and Griffith Park sides of the Los Angeles River at the 90-degree bend of the River.
The funding is dependent on voters’ approval of a bond measure, which will be placed on the 2018 ballot with the Governor's approval of Senate Bill 5, authored by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León. Glendale's State Senator Anthony Portantino is the bill's principal co-author. Friedman, who represents Glendale in the State Assembly, is an Assembly co-author of the bill.
The bridge – the final phase of a three phase project – will be the culmination of over a decade of progress.
Opened in 2012, the first phase of the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk included public artwork, a trail, bike path, picnic areas, and equestrian arenas.
That same year, the Glendale City Council allocated $800,000 from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, known as Metro, to fund the “Garden” Bridge, as well as a second bridge that would connect Glendale to Atwater Village over the Verdugo Wash.
The second phase of construction, when completed, will make 100% of Glendale’s Los Angeles River frontage fully developed for recreational use, adding Flower Plaza Park and Confluence Park to the Riverwalk.
As progress on the Riverwalk project continues, the Glendale City Council continues to support the effort to connect people with open space, miles of bike paths, and economic opportunity.
To learn more about the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk, visit the Glendale Public Works Department website. To read more about the ribbon cutting event for Phase 1 of the Riverwalk project, click here.
