Clock winding down on L.A. River park decision

By Dean Kuipers

Dec. 28, 2011 12 AM PT

A chunk of acreage along the Los Angeles River could possibly become an expansion of the new-ish Rio de Los Angeles State Park in Cypress Park, depending on a decision by an L.A. developer. The story unfolds in a very good blog post by Damon Nagami on the Natural Resources Defense Council site.

The 44-acre parcel, called G2, is a part of the old Taylor Yard railroad complex on the east bank of the Los Angeles River, across the river from Elysian Park and Dodger Stadium.

Nagami reports that the NRDC and other community groups involved in what has been a long process to create and expand the Rio de Los Angeles Park are urging developer Trammell Crow Company to drop an option to purchase the land for commercial development.

Releasing the option might make it available for a park purchase. The Cypress Park/Elysian Valley area has very little parkland and this is a key piece of riverside real estate. Soccer clubs and others have already made good use of the Rio de Los Angeles Park, which opened in 2007.

Oil more toxic than previously thought, study finds

EPA issues strong limits on mercury emissions from smokestacks