The California Board of State Coastal Conservancy has authorized the disbursement of up to $2 million to the City of Los Angeles for the planning of the new Taylor Yard Park along the banks of the L.A. River.

The 42-acre site, purchased earlier this year by the City for $60 million, is the last remnant of a once expansive Union Pacific Railroad yard.  Most of the property has already been redeveloped as a mixture of housing and park space.

Planning for the future park will involve numerous agencies, including the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Metro, Metrolink and the Army Corps of Engineers.  The effort will include:

  • A plan for safe near-term public access
  • A plan for long-term access, use and management responsibilities
  • A plan for restoring native plant and wildlife habitats
  • A revised site cleanup plan
  • Public engagement and involvement, particularly from the surrounding communities
  • Three buildable, scalable, phase-able design concepts that accommodate public access, habitat restoration and compatible recreation
  • A project financing plan outlining interim to permanent use options
  • A plan for long-term operations and maintenance; and
  • A plan for construction of first phase of the Taylor Yard River Park within five years.

In the immediate future, the City intends to install fencing and signage around the site.