Community, Officials Celebrate Reopening of Garvanza Park

After being closed to the public for two-years, Garvanza Park reoponed on Thursday afternoon, complete with 12 newsly planted trees and a below-ground stormwater filtration system that will capture pollutants before they flow into the Arroyo Seco.

The $3.8 million project was a collaborative effort beween the North East Trees, Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation and the Department of Recreation, which installed new exercise equipment at the park.

“Today is all about healthy living in Garvanza and Highland Park,” said Councilman José Huizar, whose office helped to spearheard the project. “The new Garvanza Park Rainwater Irrigation Project will improve the environmental health of our local community while the new exercise equipment will improve the physical health of its residents."

Funding for the project was provided to the Bureau of Sanitation by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, according to a press release provided by Councilman Huizar's office.

The newly installed filtration system will direct stormwater from the Avenue 63 storm drain into two underground cisterns. Depending on which cistern it collects in, the water will either be allowed to filter into the groundwater or be used to irrigate the park during the dry months.

This stormwater capture and cleansing system is the first of its kind in the northeast area, and will help the city achieve water quality goals for the Arroyo Seco and the Los Angeles River, according to the Bureau of Sanitation.

The Garvanza Park Rainwater Irrigation Project was conceived by the Bureau of Sanitation Watershed Protection Division and implemented by the community environmental group North East Trees.

EPA funding for the project was supplemented by State Propositions 40 and 13, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and the Stormwater Pollution Abatement fund.  Approximately $22,000 in Quimby park improvement funds secured by Councilmember Huizar covered the cost of the fitness equipment.