November 18, 2008
County Working to Abate Graffiti on Puente Largo Bridge In Conjunction with City’s Emerald Necklace Project
For years the Los Angeles County owned Puente Largo Bridge that crosses over the San Gabriel River between Duarte and Azusa has been plagued with graffiti, an eyesore for residents and visitors. But the view has recently improved as a result of a new commitment by Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation to clean-up and maintain the structure on a regular basis.

“This is something that the cities of Duarte and Azusa have been talking with the County about for some time. We’re very happy that the County has agreed to maintain the bridge and keep it as free as possible from the blight of tagging and graffiti,” said Duarte Deputy City Manager, Karen Herrera.

“The City of Azusa donated $10,000 toward the effort to be used by County Parks and Recreation for the purchase of paint,” said Herrera.

The bridge is important to both Duarte and Azusa as both cities are invested in Emerald Necklace projects that will open up educational and recreational opportunities for the public to visit and enjoy the San Gabriel River.

In December, the City of Duarte expects to award a bid on the Encanto Nature Walk Bioswale and Outdoor Classroom project that will be funded by a combination of grants and a $55,000 contribution by the City of Duarte. Slated to begin construction in January and completed by Spring 2009, the project will include:

• The creation of a 1,000 foot-long bioswale along the western perimeter of City-owned Encanto Park with interpretive signage, native landscaping and a small infiltration basin to manage storm runoff from the park.
• A small outdoor nature center with interpretive displays and an outdoor classroom at the south end of Encanto Park.
• A nature trail with interpretive exhibits leading from the nature center along the west bank of the San Gabriel River to a view point located at the end of a berm which projects into the river channel.
• Removal of a chain link fence and screen of non-native plants which currently serves to isolate visitors from the attractive river environment.

The Encanto Nature Walk is destined to be one of the jewels in the regional Emerald Necklace Project,” said Herrera.

The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountain Conservancy (RMC) contributed a total of $658,000 to the project. Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich provided $100,000 in Proposition A funds for the Nature Center and Outdoor Classroom. L. A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina contributed $150,000 in Proposition A funds to the Los Angeles Conservation Corps to complete the construction of the Encanto Nature Walk on Corps of Engineers property in the City of Azusa.

Recently the City of Duarte entered into a 25-year easement agreement with the Corps of Engineers governing the Nature Walk property. Duarte’s street maintenance staff will provide long term maintenance for the project and will receive training for native landscape maintenance from Amigos de los Rios.

For more information, call the City of Duarte (626) 357-7931, ext. 2211