Several recent events have highlighted the importance of the Arroyo Seco stream and watershed to the Los Angeles River and all of Southern California. Here is the ideal template for adopting nature-based step responding to the challenges of water resilience and climate change.

This year presents a historic opportunity to restore and enhance the Arroyo Seco River.

• LA County and key local agencies and stakeholders are ready to move ahead with the long-delayed Arroyo Seco Ecosystem Restoration Study, an unparalleled approach to nature-based solutions in Los Angeles County.
• The LA Fish Passage Program has decisively documented the critical importance of the Arroyo Seco for steelhead trout and other aquatic species in the Los Angeles River.
• In the San Gabriel Mountains, a comprehensive analysis of how to improve water management for people, fish, and wildlife is underway. Three major reports on dam removal, fish barriers, and habitat conditions have recently been released.
• The removal of Brown Mountain Dam in the upper watershed of the Arroyo Seco has been declared a high priority of the Southern Steelhead Recovery Program of the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Several years ago, key stakeholders in the Arroyo Seco communities developed a guiding vision for this restoration — the Arroyo River Parks Program. Now it's time to renew and refresh that vision and make it a reality.

This video, producted ten years ago, illustrates the resilient future of the Arroyo Seco.

Arroyo River Parks Vision

The goal of the Arroyo River Parks Program is to connect existing parks and open spaces to one another and to the river. This is watershed planning at its best. Rather than focusing on a few key sites along the 11-mile urbanized stream course, Arroyo River Parks is an approach that will integrate the more than 30 parks and open space linkages that line the stream as part of a cohesive network supporting hydrological, ecological, and social connections — and emphasizing respect for nature and place. Rather than just being parks that overlook a river, these parks and open spaces will be reconfigured as integral parts of the river system. We look forward to your involvement and support as we pursue this exciting opportunity to restore the Arroyo Seco watershed.

We look forward to your involvement and support as we pursue this exciting opportunity to restore the Arroyo Seco watershed.

Preferred Projects

• Hahamongna
• Central Arroyo
• Lower Arroyo Seco Nature Park
• The Arroyo Through Los Angeles

Key Parks

1. Angeles National Forest, U.S. Forest Service
2. Hahamongna Watershed Park, Pasadena
3. Cherry Canyon Park, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
4. Flint Canyon Wash, La Cañada Flintridge
5. Upper Arroyo Park
6. Brookside Golf Course, Pasadena
7. Brookside Park, Pasadena
8. Central Arroyo Living Stream
9. Lower Arroyo Seco Nature Park, Pasadena
10. Arroyo Park, South Pasadena
11. San Pasqual Park, Los Angeles
12. Arroyo Seco Golf Course, South Pasadena
13. South Pasadena Woodland and Wildlife Park, South Pasadena
14. Arroyo Seco Park, Los Angeles
15. Hermon Dog Park, Los Angeles
16. Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, Los Angeles
17. Heidelberg Park, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority
18. Sycamore Grove Park, Los Angeles
19. Montecito Heights Recreation Center, Los Angeles
20. Rainbow Canyon, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority
21. Lummis Home-El Alisal, Los Angeles
22. Grayers Oak Park
23. Heritage Square, Los Angeles
24. Lacy Street Neighborhood Park, Los Angeles
25. Los Angeles River Center & Gardens, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
26. Arroyo Seco Confluence/Los Angeles River, Los Angeles
27. Elysian Park, Los Angeles
28. LA State Historic Park, Los Angeles