Plans for a new urban trail along the Rio Hondo in El Monte are moving forward with following a recent approval granted by the California Natural Resources Agency. 

According to an environmental notice distributed late last month, the organization Amigos de los Rios has received clearance to develop a new trail and recreation area along the western bank of the Rio Hondo between Valley Boulevard to the south and Lower Azusa Road to the north. The space spans approximately 1.2 miles and accounts for six acres of land. 

The corridor, currently a barren access road, would see the addition of landscaping, trees, picnic areas, viewing areas, and educational displays to the corridor, which is described as an opportunity to expand recreational areas in a park-poor community.

According to the organization's website, Amigos de los Rios has worked since 2006 to bring new green space to the Rio Hondo corridor, including a river trail along the Peck Water Conservation Lake a short distance to the northeast. More than 15 acres of green space have been built along the channel, which is intended as a part of the "Emerald Necklace Project," which calls for new parks and open space amenities along waterways such as the Rio Hondo, the San Gabriel River, and the Los Angeles River.

The southern terminus of the project corridor at Valley Boulevard sits within walking distance of both the El Monte Bus Terminal and Metrolink's El Monte Station, which have recently spurred the development of new housing and commercial uses on nearby sites.

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