LOS ANGELES COUNTY—The City of Maywood and The Trust for Public Land (TPL) proudly announce the grand opening of the Maywood Riverfront Park.  The park is located at the corner of Alamo and Slauson Avenues, on the west bank of the Los Angeles River.  The 7.3-acre park doubles the amount of open space in the city of Maywood.  The opening celebration will feature mariachi music, a short speaking program, food, poetry, and art.

Maywood Riverfront Park is part of the LA River Master Plan.  It is the first in a series of parks planned to green the river, and connects with other open spaces via a bike path that will eventually allow riders to travel between the San Fernando Valley and the ocean in Long Beach

With 28,000 people living in a square mile, Maywood is the most densely populated U.S. city outside the New York metropolitan area.  More than a third of its residents are children.  The park offers amenities for the whole family, including basketball courts, restrooms, bicycle paths, children’s play areas, and picnic tables.  Two art installations will be unveiled at the grand opening celebration, including an obelisk by artist Juan Rosillo, and a bust of Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario.

“The entire community of Maywood is grateful for this clean open space,” said Maywood Mayor Felipe Aguirre. “It’s a plus for the families of Maywood.”

The Maywood Riverfront Park project began in 1993 with the idea of converting a small Brownfield site into open space.  Later the project evolved into an ambitious and badly needed 7.3-acre park site.  TPL helped the City acquire the land, assembling the six properties needed to realize the City’s vision.  The former industrial sites have been transformed into a green oasis, providing pedestrian and bicycle access to the river, and a place for Maywood residents to get out and play.

“This park doubles the amount of open space in Maywood, and it’s going to have a tremendous impact on the quality of life here,” said Debra Geiler, Southern California Director for The Trust for Public Land. “Parks have the power to transform a community.  They make the urban experience a little greener, a little healthier, a little more fun.”

“I commend The Trust for Public Land, the City of Maywood, and other project partners for working together to create this green oasis for the community,” said U.S. Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard, who represents the 34th Congressional District that includes Maywood.  “By connecting the community to the river and providing a safe place for families to come together, the park provides an exciting new recreational destination.”

Funding for land acquisition was provided by California State Parks; the State Coastal Conservancy; Los Angeles County Proposition A, with support provided by Supervisor Gloria Molina; Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority; and the Center for Creative Land Recycling.  Funds for the building the park came from California State Parks, Los Angeles County Propostion A, Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, California Resources Agency, and the California Coastal Conservancy.

“The Rivers and Mountains Conservancy is proud to be a partner in this tremendously important milestone for the Los Angeles River Parkway,” said Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Executive Director Belinda Faustinos.  “The opening of this first significant project along the “Lower River” serves as a beacon for all of us to follow in making the entire Los Angeles River Parkway a reality for our diverse urban communities.”  

“Maywood is the densest city in California, and before today, it was severely lacking in park resources,” said Joe Edmiston, Executive Director of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. “Maywood Riverfront Park represents a huge step forward both for the City and for the Los Angeles River Parkway.  We’re greening our communities, one park at a time.”

The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit conservation organization, was established in 1972 with a strong urban focus.  TPL believes every child should live within walking distance to a high quality park.  In the Los Angeles area, TPL is committed to providing access to outdoor recreation from the urban core to the wilderness.  Focus areas include neighborhood parks and playgrounds, community gardens, the Los Angeles River, and the San Gabriel Foothills.