The opening of the San Gabriel River Park expands access to green spaces for residents in the San Gabriel Valley, especially for Avocado Heights and other park-poor communities in the area.

The grand opening of the San Gabriel River Park was celebrated on June 8, 2024, marking a major milestone in the region's efforts to create more green spaces. The event featured a variety of activities, including folklorico dancers, face painting, guided walks, food trucks, and animal presentations. Local organizations such as Active SGV and the National Audubon Society also participated. Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis emphasized that the park is a step towards environmental justice and equity, providing much-needed open space to underserved communities and improving the lives of thousands of residents in the San Gabriel Valley.
The 30-acre park, previously a duck farm, is part of the Emerald Necklace Greenway network, which connects ten cities in the San Gabriel Valley through a 17-mile loop of parks. The park offers numerous amenities, including picnic areas, biking and walking trails, a river overlook plaza, wildflower meadows, a native plant demonstration area, and a bioswale area. The new park is an oasis for the area's park poor communities, promoting outdoor activities and environmental education.
The project is the result of decades of perseverance and collaboration among various organizations and community leaders. Norma E. García-González, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, highlighted the collective effort that made the park a reality. The park is being developed in multiple phases, with the first phase just opened and the next phase being the opening of a nature center for educational programs. The San Gabriel River Park is envisioned as a lasting gift to future generations, promoting nature appreciation, and community well-being.
FULL STORY: New San Gabriel River Park adds to effort for more ‘rewilding’ space in the region

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Research Shows More Roads = More Driving
A national study shows, once again, that increasing road supply induces additional vehicle travel, particularly over the long run.

Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software
Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.

Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers
Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.

Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action
Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport