Community

L.A. River Expeditions engages the city’s community through low-impact, managed river boating so that citizens become energized river advocates while learning how to be safe around rivers. A cleaned-up, greened-up and safe Los Angeles River, with people actually using it (instead of being ashamed of it and mistreating it) will instill a sense of common public ownership and community pride, as participants experience the thrill of floating through their own city. This will be especially true for the city's youth.

Our ongoing work on the Los Angeles River, and now with the Paddle the L.A. River program (in which we are a key partner), is designed to challenge and substantially alter the narrow perspectives and low expectations that people usually have about the Los Angeles River, presenting fresh possibilities and providing a positive, inspiring, hands-on experience for all participants. In addition to recreation, the program educates about the river’s own community of ecosystems — plants, birds, fish, watersheds, etc. — and calls upon us to become active community citizens, regardless of age.

Every mile of the river reclaimed with this intent essentially gains valuable new recreation space for Angelenos — without having to carve out expensive new real estate! Los Angeles is currently on the bottom rung in terms of urban open space per capita relative to other major U.S. cities. The Los Angeles River is a vastly underutilized public trust resource. Our various programs aim to utilize our undervalued riparian assets for the benefit of park-starved urban neighborhoods and their residents.

Through our presence on these excursions, we help to mitigate undesirable activity in and around the river. More “eyes on the river” makes it a safer and more vibrant place.