Lower Los Angeles River Restoration and Access: Community Input, Collaboration and Engagement

Lower Los Angeles River, California

Lower Los Angeles River, California

Ardurra developed and implemented community engagement strategies for the Lower Los Angeles River Restoration and Access (LLARRA) Project, supporting Trout Unlimited South Coast Chapter's ambitious effort to transform a half-mile stretch in Paramount between Rosecrans Avenue and Somerset Boulevard. The initiative integrates flood control, habitat restoration, and improved public access while advancing environmental justice for communities in Paramount, Compton, Lynwood, and surrounding areas.

The inclusive engagement approach ensures local voices shape project design and outcomes through bilingual workshops, focus groups, listening sessions, and youth mentorship programs. Strategic partnerships with trusted community organizations, including Mujeres Unidas, Connecting Compton, and East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, strengthen accessibility and community trust throughout the collaborative design process.

Key Community Engagement Services:

• Implemented an inclusive community engagement strategy, ensuring local voices shape design outcomes for the half-mile river restoration project
• Conducted bilingual workshops and focus groups with residents, schools, and community organizations, fostering meaningful participation
• Created bilingual outreach materials and hosted interactive booths at community events, building awareness and engagement
• Established growing email and SMS networks, maintaining ongoing communication with stakeholders throughout project development
• Partnered with trusted community organizations, including Mujeres Unidas and East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice
• Collected 300+ community comments through listening sessions and student-led PhotoVoice projects, generating valuable design insights
• Informed technical design development with community feedback, supporting 65% completion milestone expected in early 2025

The engagement strategy demonstrates transparency and inclusiveness widely praised by community leaders and residents. Community feedback directly informs technical design options, ensuring the LLARRA Project delivers on its vision of creating safe, inclusive, and environmentally resilient river spaces supporting environmental justice and community connectivity for generations.