La Crescenta, Montrose, and Glendale I want to inform you about the latest Verdugo Wash Vision Project developments. In March 2025, the Glendale City Council accepted a $5.7 million state grant to fund a comprehensive feasibility study for this initiative. The project aims to explore the transformation of the 9.4-mile Verdugo Wash into a linear park and active transportation corridor, connecting various neighborhoods and enhancing our community’s connectivity and green spaces. The study will assess the project’s viability, considering environmental impact, community input, and design feasibility. It’s important to note that this study does not commit to construction but serves as an in-depth analysis to guide future decisions.
Background on the Verdugo Wash Vision Project The Verdugo Wash, a 9.4-mile concrete flood control channel, has long been a defining feature of our region. The Vision Project aims to transform this channel into a linear park and nature trail, facilitating walking and cycling while connecting various neighborhoods, business districts, and entertainment venues throughout Glendale. The project’s vision includes enhancing urban design, promoting environmental sustainability, and creating a unique urban experience, interweaving several important city centers and services. Verdugo Wash
Communities Affected The proposed project directly impacts the communities of La Crescenta, Montrose, and Glendale. Residents in these areas may experience changes in their local environment, including increased foot and bicycle traffic, alterations to the landscape, and potential shifts in property dynamics. Community members must stay engaged and informed as the project progresses.
Community Perspectives: Support and Concerns The proposal has elicited a spectrum of responses from the community, reflecting both enthusiasm and apprehension.
Supportive Views:
- Enhanced Connectivity and Recreation: Proponents are excited about the potential to create green spaces that connect different parts of the city, offering safe recreational areas for activities like biking and walking. They envision the project as a transformative initiative that can unite communities and provide much-needed open spaces in an urban setting.
- Environmental and Aesthetic Benefits: Supporters also highlight the opportunity to introduce landscape and natural elements to the current concrete channel, effectively creating a greenway that enhances the city’s aesthetic appeal and promotes environmental sustainability.
Opposing Views:
- Privacy and Security Concerns: Residents living adjacent to the wash express concerns about the potential loss of privacy, as the proposed pathways could be in close proximity to their homes. There are fears that increased foot and bicycle traffic might lead to safety and security issues, including vandalism and trespassing.
- Fire Hazards: Given Glendale’s history of wildfires, some community members worry that increased public access could elevate the risk of fire, particularly in areas designated as extreme fire hazard zones.
- Financial Implications: Critics question the project’s funding, expressing concerns over potential costs to taxpayers and the city’s financial liabilities, especially considering existing budgetary constraints. savethewash.com
Recent Developments: March 2025 City Council Meeting
In March 2025, the Glendale City Council accepted a state grant totaling $5,762,370 to fund a comprehensive feasibility study for the Verdugo Wash Master Plan. The contract was awarded to Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA), a firm recognized for its expertise in urban park design. This three-year study aims to:
- Conduct Extensive Community Outreach: Engage with residents to gather input and address concerns, ensuring the project reflects the community’s needs and desires.
- Study Connectivity for Multiple Modes of Travel: Explore how the wash can accommodate various forms of transportation, enhancing mobility across the city.
- Improve Environmental Sustainability: Identify opportunities to enhance the ecological health of the area, including habitat restoration and stormwater management.
- Examine Ecological Improvements: Assess possibilities for integrating natural habitats and promoting biodiversity within the urban landscape.
- Develop a Cohesive Brand Identity and Public Art Program: Create a unified vision that incorporates public art, fostering a unique sense of place.
During the council meeting, public comments reflected the community’s mixed sentiments. Supporters praised the project’s potential to create green spaces and provide safe recreational areas, envisioning activities like biking to work and walking dogs in a revitalized urban landscape. Conversely, critics raised concerns about the project’s scope, flood control priorities, and the consultant’s lack of local experience. City staff emphasized that the current approval is solely for planning and does not commit to construction.
Clarifying the Project’s Scope and Councilmember Brotman’s Statements The Verdugo Wash Vision Project has undergone various iterations since its inception, leading to some confusion and frustration within the community. Initially, Councilmember Dan Brotman indicated that the project would not extend beyond Brand Boulevard. However, as planning progressed, the scope expanded to include areas beyond this initial boundary, encompassing parts of La Crescenta and Montrose. This shift has led to mistrust among residents who were assured their neighborhoods would remain unaffected. City officials must address these concerns transparently and ensure that all community voices are heard as the project progresses.
Project Design: In the Channel or Alongside? A common question among residents is whether the proposed linear park will be constructed within the existing concrete channel or alongside it. The answer varies depending on the specific segment of the wash:
- In-Channel Design: In areas where the wash is sufficiently broad, the plan may include constructing pathways within the channel, maintaining its flood control function while providing recreational space.
- Alongside the Channel: In narrower sections or areas adjacent to residential properties, the pathways may be built alongside the wash to minimize disruption and address privacy concerns.
Detailed engineering assessments will determine the most suitable design for each segment, balancing functionality, safety, and community impact.
Funding the Vision: Projected Costs and State Grants While the current $5.7 million state grant covers the feasibility study, the total cost of implementing the full 9.4-mile vision remains uncertain. Estimates vary widely, with projections ranging from $300 million to $2 billion, depending on the final design, materials used, and other variables.