Revitalizing Sepulveda Basin: A Green Vision for An Urban Oasis

Developed through the input of thousands of community members, this is the first comprehensive plan by the City of Los Angeles for the 2,000-acre basin.

2 minute read

June 25, 2024, 9:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


White pelican with black wings flying low over water at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve in Van Nuys, California.

White pelican at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve in Van Nuys, California. | GDMatthews / Adobe Stock

Los Angeles city, county, and state leaders have unveiled an ambitious vision plan featuring 47 capital projects aimed at transforming the Sepulveda Basin, a 2,000-acre green space in the San Fernando Valley. This plan includes significant restoration efforts for the Los Angeles River, focusing on enhancing public access and recreational opportunities. Key elements of the plan involve creating a cohesive bike path, improving kayaking access, and restoring natural ecosystem functions to reduce flood risks and enhance community cooling.

California Senator Henry Stern kickstarted the initiative by presenting a $2.5 million check, emphasizing the need to replace concrete and asphalt with green spaces to cool the Valley and improve public health. The restoration of the three-mile stretch of the LA River through the basin is a central focus, aiming to create a more connected and accessible recreational area. Projects include enhancing the river's floodplains to promote groundwater replenishment and habitat diversity, thus addressing public safety and environmental concerns simultaneously.

Additional projects aim to upgrade outdated facilities within the Sepulveda Basin, such as playgrounds, sports fields, and other recreational amenities. L.A. City Councilwoman Imelda Padilla highlighted the comprehensive nature of these improvements, which span from baseball and soccer fields to model airplane zones and archery ranges. These enhancements are contingent on securing further funding, but they promise to significantly enrich the recreational and ecological value of the Sepulveda Basin for the community.

Monday, June 17, 2024 in ABC7 Eyewitness News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Silhouette of man holding on to back of bicycle ridden by woman with Eiffel Tower in background.

Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution

The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.

April 14 - Momentum Magazine

Multifamily housing under construction.

Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas

Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.

April 14 - San Francisco Chronicle

Western coyote looking at camera in grassy field.

San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes

San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.

April 14 - Fox 5