With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
LA receives millions for landfill to park conversion
A rendering of the park from the perspective of Nike Hill, with downtown L.A. off in the distance.
(
Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation
)
Topline:
California's Wildlife Conservation Board approved a $12.5 million grant to help L.A. County convert the Puente Hills landfill into a large park. The money's intended to help restore native chaparral, coastal sage scrub and grassland habitats, in an effort to boost biodiversity in the long degraded area.
Why it matters: Puente Hills was one of the largest landfills in the United States until it was shut down in 2013. It covers 1,365 acres, though only 142 acres will be turned to parkland.
What's next: To help restore native habitat, soil will need to be imported and the project site will need to be graded. Two hundred large oak trees are expected to be planted, alongside native ecosystems like white sage scrub and cactus sage scrub.
Support for LAist comes from
Potential hurdles: Money is a big one when talking about the project as a whole, since the funding will only cover a portion of costs. The county will also have to mitigate land movement, as the 150 million pounds of trash settle over time. As the refuse degrades, it'll also produce methane that needs to be piped out from below ground.
The long view: The first phase of the project, which includes the construction of an environmental justice center, is expected to be completed by 2027, according to the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department. The whole project could take 75 years to complete, according to the project's environmental impact report.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist