New L.A. River-adjacent green space has opened in South Gate, according to a social media post by Studio-MLA.

The first phase of South Gate's Urban Orchard, which spans seven acres at 9475 Frontage Road, occupies a former industrial site on the east side of the river.

"Focused on equity, health, and climate resilience, the park restores native habitat, improves water quality with a constructed wetland and stream, and adds vital green space to a community where only 3% of land is parkland," notes Studio-MLA's Facebook post.

The full project, which is to be delivered in multiple phases, will eventually encompass 1.1 miles of river frontage between Firestone Boulevard in the north and the Rio Hondo Channel in the south and 30 acres of land located just west of the 710 Freeway. In addition to providing the fruit trees that are expected with an Orchard, the project incorporates a wetland area, an education garden, walking paths, playgrounds, shade structures, picnic areas, seating, and an extension of the Los Angeles River trail.

Future site of the Urban Orchard in South GateGoogle Maps

The overall $25-million project received nearly $2-million in state grant funding in 2021.

The project's design elements are compatible with those adopted in the  Lower L.A. River Revitalization plan, which proposes improvements for the roughly 19-mile stretch of the river between Vernon and its discharge point in Long Beach. Among the early projects in that effort is a Frank Gehry-designed cultural center which is to be built on another river-adjacent property to the south of Imperial Highway.

The Urban Orchard will also intersect with the Metro's Southeast Gateway Line, which is to run in an existing freight rail right-of-way that cuts through the park site.

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