Clockshop hosted the Ed P. Reyes River Greenway Open House on Saturday, October 14, from 1:00-3:00 PM. Guests explored this unique green space next to the LA River that functions as both a natural stormwater filtration system and public educational site.

Ed P. Reyes River Greenway Open House
Saturday, October 14, 2023
1:00-3:00 PM
Ed P. Reyes River Greenway
N Ave 19 & Humboldt St, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Since its opening in 2014, consistent public access to this site has been challenging. Clockshop is working with the LA Bureau of Sanitation and local partners to envision the site as a freely accessible outdoor classroom for surrounding schools and a vital greenspace for all.

Former District 1 Councilmember, Ed P. Reyes welcomed guests and provided a brief overview of the Greenway’s history. Guests joined our tour to learn about the Greenway’s design as a stormwater filtration site, and enjoyed a family-friendly native paper flower-making workshop with Xochitl Manzanilla and a Danza Azteca presentation by local group Xipe Totec.

If you couldn’t make it but want to describe your vision for the Greenway, you can do so here.

ABOUT THE GREENWAY
The Ed P. Reyes River Greenway treats runoff water from an area spanning 135 acres, filtering 50,000 cubic feet of water from surrounding businesses, homes, and streets before entering the Los Angeles River. Managed by the LA Bureau of Sanitation, the Greenway functions as a stormwater treatment facility, but is also a much needed open green space in a highly industrial community.

ABOUT THIS EVENT
This event is part of Clockshop’s Take Me to Your River: A Cultural Atlas of the LA River.  
Take Me to Your River is a three-year collective history and cultural mapping project aimed at retelling an inclusive history of the Northeast LA neighborhoods that surround the Los Angeles River (Elysian Valley, Atwater Village, Cypress Park, Glassell Park).

SPEAKERS
Xipe Totec
Xipe Totec Danzantes Aztecas is a multi-generational traditional aztec dance troupe composed of several families based out of Los Angeles, CA. The group is directed by Virginia Carmelo, a student of Maestro Florencio Yescas (Tacuba, Mexico) and she is often accompanied by her 6 children and grandchildren when dancing. The group was established in Lincoln Heights, CA in the mid 1980s and hosts classes and an annual ceremony in honor of Tlatoani Cuauhtemoc, the last Aztec ruler, in Lincoln Heights, CA. 

Ed P. Reyes
Born and raised in Cypress Park, Ed P. Reyes grew up witnessing the effects of governmental neglect and poor urban planning. Motivated to bring change to his community, Ed went on to study English and Urban Planning at UCLA, after graduating he worked for the City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, where he served 10 years as Chief Planning Deputy and 2 terms as Council Member for District 1, his home district. During his time in government, he expanded the city’s affordable housing stock, added 80 acres of new park space to his district, and served as chair of the Los Angeles River Ad Hoc Committee.

Teresa Villegas
Ms. Teresa Villegas was nominated by Mayor Eric Garcetti to the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works in September 2019. She was confirmed by the City Council and currently serves as the Board liaison to the Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) and the City Forest Officer. She was elected Vice President of the Board on March, 16, 2022. Ms. Villegas brings 20 years of work in the public sector to the City. She has worked for Los Angeles County in different capacities including Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. She previously served as senior advisor to Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Gloria Molina and Hilda L. Solis. She advised both members on all countywide environmental policy issues, natural resource ballot measures, and various budget proposals.

Xochitl Manzanilla
Xochitl Manzanilla is a member of a group of Promotorx at Los Angeles State Historic Park (LASHP)  established in 2016. She has hosted an “Art in the Park” program since 2017 serving the communities surrounding LASHP, including her community of William Mead. She also serves as a volunteer for the Stop the Gondola campaign.

ACCESSIBILITY
Parking–The closest street parking is along N Avenue 19 and Humboldt St.  

By Bus–There are two main bus routes nearby: the 45 to the Broadway/Pasadena stop or the Broadway/Avenue 18 stop and the DASH Lincoln Heights/Chinatown to the Broadway/Ave. 20 stop or to the Broadway/Ave.18 stop

By Bike –The bike path along the LA River is a nice way to get to the Greenway. You are welcome to bring your bike in and find a place to lock it inside the park.

Restrooms–There are no restrooms on site.

SUPPORT
Take Me to Your River, and related programs, is supported through generous funding from the Mellon Foundation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant, the California Arts Council, The Nature Conservancy, and Clockshop’s generous community of individual donors.