Eight months of construction have completed a decade of effort, and the pedestrian bridge over La Cienega Boulevard is now open, completing the 13 miles of the “Park to Playa Trail.” The connection from Kenneth Hahn State Park to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook opens a trail that leads from the heart of Los Angeles to the beach.
The fruits of a partnership between Los Angeles County, the Baldwin Hills Conservancy, the Baldwin Hills Regional Conservation Authority, and the Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority, the Park to Playa Trail cost about $23 million. The work included the construction of the Stoneview Nature Center in the Blair Hills Neighborhood of Culver City, as well as the restoration of a number of green spaces included in the trail.
Happy hikers, bikers and bird watchers have been enjoying the completed trail since October 30, 2020, when a (socially distanced) ribbon cutting ceremony took place.
Baldwin Hills Conservancy Executive Officer David McNeill spoke to those gathered, saying, “Not only will this connection provide a safe elevated crossing for pedestrians and bicycles, it creates an opportunity for wildlife to visit both ridgelines which increases the region’s biodiversity. While the ongoing expansion of Baldwin Hills Parklands has brought a lot of openings, the anticipation from the public for this bridge has been higher than I have seen in years. The Conservancy has been getting emails and calls for months leading up to this day. We’re just grateful the final piece of Park to Playa has come to fruition.”
Judith Martin-Straw
Be the first to comment