West Covina City Council Supports SGV Greenway Network

Walnut Creek, a potential greenway in the City of West Covina, and planned greenway in neighboring Baldwin Park

On Tuesday June 6th the West Covina City Council voted 3-2 to participate in planning of the San Gabriel Valley Greenway Network. Video of the meeting can be viewed online here (discussion of the item begins around the 3:45 mark).

The City has one major waterway running east-west through it - the Walnut Creek - which connects to Baldwin Park and the San Gabriel River to the west and the City of Covina to the east. The City of Baldwin Park has already completed greenway construction along a section of the Walnut Creek in their City, with plans to extend it further east to the City's border with West Covina.

Item #8 on the the Council's agenda recommended that local decision makers take the following actions to move forward with greenway planning, design and implementation in West Covina:

1. Support the San Gabriel Valley Greenway Network; and
2. Authorize City staff to partner with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, the County of Los Angeles, and other entities in the funding, design, construction, and development of the San Gabriel Valley Greenway Network through West Covina.​

Walnut Creek and S. Lark Ellen Ave, West Covina

You can weigh in on this issue by attending Tuesday's meeting and providing public comment and/or submitting written comment via email (email contact listed below)

• WHAT: West Covina City Council Meeting
• WHERE: West Covina City Hall, 1444 W. Garvey Ave South,  West Covina 91790
• WHEN: Tuesday June 6 (7pm) - The motion is Agenda Item #8  
• Meeting Agenda - Item #8: San Gabriel Valley Greenway Network
• Email: Corey.Warshaw@westcovina.org , WestCovina@mikespence.com , James.Toma@westcovina.org , Lloyd.Johnson@westcovina.org , tony.wu@westcovina.org​

Why Greenways?

1. Safety: Lack of safe streets or multi-use paths to ride along are one of the largest barriers to biking and walking in the San Gabriel Valley.
2. Health and Wellness: Many communities in the central San Gabriel Valley are park-poor and suffer from high rates of diabetes, obesity, and other chronic illnesses associated with sedentary lifestyles. Developing a network of linear parks and paths along the region's watershed would be a long-term investment in the health of these communities and the region as a whole. 
3. Access: If realized, a regional network would connect residential neighborhoods to schools, workplaces, parks, and other points-of-interest.
4. Regional Connectivity: The SGV has a unique opportunity to create a truly regional network by creating new connections to heavily-used, existing trails along the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo rivers.
5. Fun: Getting out and exploring one of the most diverse regions in the United States by foot, bike or other mode is FUN! #SGVgreenways would help make this easier for people of all ages and abilities.