South El Monte, CA – March 1, 2025—Over 200 South El Monte community members, project partners, and city officials gathered on Saturday, March 1, 2025, to celebrate the grand opening of the Merced Avenue Greenway in the City of South El Monte. This landmark event marked a significant step toward the city’s progress toward a more sustainable and pedestrian-friendly future. Families, residents, and city officials came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a symbolic dove release, highlighting the community’s vision and commitment to green infrastructure and active transportation.

This 0.65-mile transformation creates a safer, greener, more resilient community space. The Greenway's core feature is its innovative stormwater capture system, which utilizes porous concrete and bio-infiltration planters to capture and treat an average of 21.5 acre-feet of stormwater while infiltrating approximately 6.47 acre-feet annually. The project also incorporates the San Gabriel Valley's first sidewalk-level bike path, enhancing pedestrian and cyclist safety.

“This project is an example of how infrastructure can support both climate resilience and quality of life,” said State Water Board Member Laurel Firestone. “We at the Water Board congratulate South El Monte on the completion of this project and your community’s foresight to prepare for extreme weather and climate challenges. This project was funded in part by Prop. 1, which was passed in 2014 when voters also demonstrated foresight to support water and wastewater infrastructure investment. With the passage of the state’s Climate Bond last year, I’m happy to say that this kind of investment will continue, helping to make more communities like South El Monte climate-resilient and safer.”

Beyond water management, the Merced Avenue Greenway also addresses urban heat and biodiversity by replacing more than 30,000 square feet of asphalt with 3,000 native plants and 133 new trees. Funded through a combination of federal, state, and local sources—including the Bureau of Reclamation, Proposition 1, Proposition 68, and Measure W’s Safe Clean Water Program—the project reflects a commitment to forward-thinking green infrastructure.

"It's truly exciting to finally see this project completed," said South El Monte City Manager Rene Salas. "This was a team effort starting back in 2015 with Council for Watershed Health as the project manager and grant seeker. We also thank our city council for their clear vision and support throughout this project."

The grand opening event featured various activities, including guided walking and biking tours showcasing the Greenway’s features, family-friendly games, and delicious food from local favorite Taco SAAS. Attendees also had the opportunity to test electric bikes along the new path, highlighting the project’s role in promoting sustainable transportation options.

South El Monte Mayor Gloria Olmos, Councilmember Manuel Acosta, and Interim Public Works Director Andres Gonzalez joined residents in celebrating this vital community milestone, emphasizing the project's significance in enhancing local quality of life and setting a model for future improvements in the region. Building on the success of the south end, the City of South El Monte is moving forward with plans for the second phase of the Merced Avenue Greenway project. This phase will focus on Merced Avenue north of Rush Street and is expected to proceed with extensive community outreach and engagement throughout this year. The city is committed to working closely with residents and business owners to ensure the new phase reflects the community's needs and aspirations, further expanding the benefits of the Greenway.

For more information about the Merced Avenue Greenway, visit MercedAveGreenway.org or contact Rene Salas, the City Manager (rsalas@soelmonte.org), or Andres Gonzalez, Interim Public Works Director (agonzalez@soelmonte.org).