LOS ANGELES, Sep. 2, 2008. The Golden Necklace Project, a Cal Poly Pomona student-directed project facilitating the development of a continuous multi-use trail from the San Gabriel Mountains to the sea, held its second community workshop that provided definitive and positive direction for the project.

The workshop was conducted at the LA River Center on a Tuesday evening. Thirty-two stakeholders from various community groups attended the workshop. Groups represented at the workshop included the City of Pasadena, the City of Long Beach, Build LACCD, the Arroyo Seco Foundation, Amigos de los Rios, the National Park Service, Three Valleys Water District, neighborhood groups from Mt. Washington, Arroyo Seco, and West Pasadena; professional corporations such as Arup engineering and VPR Consulting; Rose Bowl Riders, and more.

This innovative regional project will address issues of environmental conservation, watershed health, recreation and open space, and alternative forms of transportation. The event sponsors were appropriate to the cause: Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and Arrowhead Water.

The workshop began with a presentation and review of The Golden Necklace Project, and followed with a 1.5 mile walk and site visit to the LA River. Participants were asked to reflect on what they believe to be the most important components, or “links”, in the development of the Golden Necklace Project.

The group then received a presentation on the Golden Necklace Draft Guiding Principles, including the process used in developing them. Participants broke into four groups and discussed potential revisions or additions to the “Golden Principles.”

The results of these focus(ed) group discussions were insightful and led to a new and positive direction for The Golden Necklace Project. From the workshop discussion feedback, a mission statement and revised set of guiding principles for The Golden Necklace Project were developed. These, as well as a summary of workshop focus group recommendations, are listed below.

Next steps for The Golden Necklace Project include a roundtable discussion between representatives from existing organizations working along the LA and San Gabriel Rivers and surrounding areas. Students are also researching how to develop a Center for The Golden Necklace Project, including possible non-profit status and grant funding. Additionally, a promotional brochure for the project will be produced that will represent key background information, maps, and proposed designs.