Studio City has two new, small, linear parks, each showcasing a slightly different approach to the revitalization of the LA River. Though the river channel is concrete, it’s a great place to walk and check out the parks with their native plants, public art, and river rock walls, ramps, and benches. This 1.9 mile stretch of the river is very popular with pedestrians, joggers, and folks walking dogs.

Starting Point

Laurelgrove Avenue Footbridge, intersection of Laurelgrove Avenue and Valleyheart Drive in Studio City

Directions to the start

Bike: There is no river bikeway in this area. From the Metro Red Line, disembark at the Universal City station and bike west on Campo De Cahuenga Way, crossing over the 101 Freeway. Turn right on Ventura Boulevard and turn right again on Laurel Grove Avenue which dead-ends at the park and footbridge.

For a less direct, very pleasant route on a street lined with great old oak trees:, make a hard right onto the pedestrian way at the corner of Campo De Cahuenga and Ventura Ventura Boulevard. This lets out on to a very short section of Riverton Avenue. Turn left onto Bluffside Drive and turn right onto Vineland Avenue. Cross the river, and turn left onto Aqua Vista Street. Turn left onto Fair Avenue and then turn right onto Dilling Street. Once you pass Tujunga Ave., enjoy the wonderful canopy of tall old oak trees. Turn right onto Troost Ave., where you will see Michelle Armitageís re-used metal sculpture of a knight fighting a large foe. Turn left onto Chiquita Street and then left onto Colfax Ave.

As you cross the river, you can see the confluence of the Los Angeles River and the Tujunga Wash on your right. Turn right into the alley (before Ventura Blvd), cross Radford Ave. and continue straight on Ventura Place. Cross Laurel Canyon Blvd. and ride upstream (in the paved river right-of-way) to the footbridge.

Transit: Take the Metro Red Line to the Universal City Station and follow the signs toward the rapid bus. Board the Ventura Boulevard Rapid (#750) and get off at Laurel Canyon Blvd. and walk one block north to the LA River. Turn left and walk west (upstream) along the LA River to the Laurelgrove Ave. Footbridge.

Car: Exit the 101 Freeway at Laurel Canyon Boulevard in Studio City and go south on Laurel Canyon Blvd. Turn right onto Moorpark Street and left onto Laurelgrove Ave. Proceed 2 blocks to the end of Laurelgrove Avenue at Valleyheart Drive. Street parking is available on Laurelgrove or Valleyheart.

Walk Directions

At the south bank of the LA River on the Laurelgrove Ave. Footbridge, turn left and descend the ramp into the City of Los Angelesí generically named LA River Greenway Park. This small linear park, which opened in 2004, occupies the southern bank of the LA River for approximately 0.6-miles from Laurel Canyon Blvd to Whitsett Ave. The park features extensive river-rock ramps (including a connection to the cityís new Studio City parking structure), a series of clever rock seating areas, and native landscaping, which are welcoming and enjoyable.

Continue walking downstream and ascend the ramp at the Laurel Canyon Boulevard Bridge (the first bridge you encounter). Turn left onto the sidewalk, crossing the bridge. Turn right onto the crosswalk; watch out for oncoming traffic as you Cross Laurel Canyon Blvd. Turn right on the sidewalk.

From the downstream side of the bridge, you get a good view of the weir on the south side of the river at Laurel Canyon Blvd. Weirs are placed at some river confluences with large storm drains. In this case the structure drains the Laurel Canyon hillsides. To prevent local flooding, the weir spreads out the tributary flow entering the river.

Turn left into the Great Toad Gate. Youíve just entered the Valleyheart Greenway (note that Valleyheart Drive parallels the LA River through the east San Fernando Valley), a joint project of the County of Los Angeles and The River Project (with initial funding from the California Costal Conservancy). This quarter-mile mini-park opened in 2004, with additional art features added in 2005.

Under the leadership of Melanie Winter and The River Project, the park was designed with input from students at the nearby Carpenter Ave. Elementary School. Students came up with ideas for the whimsical toad gate and butterfly garden and bench, and the ideas were further refined by artists. The Great Toad Gate was designed by artist Lahni Baruck, based on a drawing by student Michael Harris.

Descend the ramp. Chose the high path or low path to continue walking downstream. Note that instead of asphalt, the county has used decomposed granite (fine rocks that resemble natural earth), a more permeable and environmentally friendly walking surface.

On your right is the Rattlesnake Wall, a river rock retaining wall designed as a gigantic rattlesnake. The rocks are engraved with the names of students and others who worked on this park.

A few steps farther is the Butterfly Garden. The site features beds of various California native flowers, which attract butterflies. The various beds of the garden are in the shape and pattern of a butterflyís wing. Check out the beautiful Butterfly Bench. Itís also designed by artist Lahni Baruck, and includes a quote from Henry David Thoreau.

Continue downstream, and then ascend the ramp to Radford Ave. Turn left, walk across the Radford Ave Bridge. If you look downstream from the bridge (into the CBS Studio Center), you can see the river water gathering into the low-flow channel. The low-flow channel in the middle of the river is provided to focus the waterís gradual erosive power into a small area that is easier to maintain and repair.

From here, turn around and retrace your steps. When you get to the Laurengrove Ave. Footbridge, you can continue under it to see the rest of the city park, which ends at Whitsett Ave.

Nearby Dining

Acashi Sushi Bar

4037 Radford Avenue

CA 91604-2103

(818) 760-0313

 

Panera Bread Bakery Cafe

12131 Ventura Boulevard

CA 91604

(818) 762-2226

 

Chipotle Mexican Grill - Studio City

12175 Ventura Boulevard

CA 91604

(818) 508-0190

 

Sompun Thai Restaurant

12051 Ventura Place

CA 91604-2602

(818) 762-7861

 

Gangadin Restaurant

12067 Ventura Place

CA 91604-2602

(818) 509-0722