A 1920s Greenway Plan Is Getting Another Look

In response to Daniel Nussbaum’s article “The L.A. That Never Was” (Jan. 31), in some instances, what could have been still could be. One plan that never came to fruition was that of a greenway system of interconnected trails and parks along the 51 miles of the L.A. River, as envisioned by landscape architect and urban planner Frederick Law Olmsted. If his project had been embraced by city planners 70 years ago, L.A. would look and feel quite different today, with more opportunities for recreation and more habitat for native wildlife.

The Olmsted vision has been taken off the shelf for reconsideration by a consortium of groups in partnership with the 13 municipalities and 25 communities that are touched by the river.

Better late than never.

Larry Kaplan, director

The Trust for Public Land

Los Angeles