Construction has commenced for a project that will reintroduce L.A. River wetlands to the Bowtie Parcel in Glassell Park, reports The Eastsider.

The wetland demonstration project, which will be located on the northernmost 3.4 acres of the Taylor Yard, requires remediating the soil of the former rail yard, which will then be transformed into green space to provide new L.A. River access.

Rendering of the wetlands area at the BowtieCA State Parks

Per a 2023 initial study, project elements include:

  • A constructed wetland to provide treatment for all flows less than 5 cubic feet per second The wetland would provide treatment and storage to sustain habitat and is sized to hold and retain 129,800 cubic feet of surface water and contain an additional 20,000 cubic feet of water storage in the pore space between rocks located in the wetland;
  • Excavation and offsite disposal to address hazardous substances from rail operations described in the Removal Action Workplan;
  • Diversion from an existing 11-foot by 11-foot Los Angeles County owned storm drain;
  • A pump station to bring dry-weather flow and stormwater to the treatment system;
  • A stormwater treatment system comprised of hydrodynamic separators and a filter to remove solids and other constituents of concern from diverted dry-weather flow and stormwater. A Hydrodynamic separator utilizes the velocity of the water and swirl separation to remove debris and large sediments from the incoming stormwater. The filter utilizes media to separate smaller sediments from the water. The combination of these two treatment technologies will limit the amount of debris and sediment entering the wetland providing improved water quality;
  • A discharge pipeline and an overflow structure to control water into and out of the wetland and to control the water level;
  • Stormwater and low-flow would be diverted from the existing County of Los Angeles storm drain via gravity into a below-grade treatment system and pump station. The pump station would pump the water into the wetland. The water would travel through the wetland for further treatment and discharge via gravity into the storm drain and ultimately into the Los Angeles River. A portion of the water will be utilized for irrigation of native vegetation and to support fauna. The remainder will be discharged at a much higher water quality into the Los Angeles River; and
  • Habitat enhancement that involves the planting of native plants and other habitat features and enhancement measures throughout the Project’s upland, riparian, and wetland areas.

The wetland area is set to partially open to the public in 2026, and then completely open in 2026, according to The Eastsider.

Rendering of the wetlands area at the BowtieCA State Parks

Plans show that Stantec and SALT Landscape Architecture are working on the project, along with the Nature Conservancy.

The Taylor Yard, formerly a Southern Pacific Railroad freight rail yard, has been gradually redeveloped with public open space, housing, and other uses in recent decades. Fundraising is underway to transform its remaining vacant parcels into green space, in a bid to create a 100-acre L.A. River park.

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