The L.A. River In The Valley Will Be Getting New Biking & Walking Trails

There has been a lot of talk about the L.A. River getting revitalized, but now the San Fernando Valley portion is getting some love. The 12-mile stretch along the river will be getting a much-needed makeover with new biking and walking trails.

L.A. city and county officials announced on Thursday that they have $6 million to design the project, with the majority of the funds coming from the offices of City Council members Paul Krekorian, Bob Blumenfield, David Ryu, and Nury Martinez, MyNewsLA.com reports.

Mayor Eric Garcetti and County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl made the announcement at Anthony C. Beilenson Park in Lake Balboa, bringing along with them 300 local schoolchildren and council members. Kuehl said the redesign would turn the L.A. River into a "social hub that connects communities to public transportation, provides habitat for plants and animals," and a "much-needed open space for recreation" for families.

Krekorkian tweeted photos of their announcement:

Besides the Valley stretch of the L.A. River getting a redesign, back in July, Mayor Eric Garcetti got approval from the Army Corps of Engineers for a $1.3 billion plan to make the river into a scenic destination instead of a concrete jungle. Famed architect Frank Gehry will have a helping hand in the new plan. Also, there are plans for a portion of the long-neglected, four-mile stretch of the L.A. River in Atwater Village to get a makeover