Grant to revitalize LA River will help Elysian Heights community

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City councilmen Eric Garcetti, Ed Reyes, and Tom Labonge announced the start of the Los Angeles River restoration in Elysian Heights Thursday morning, which will help foster surrounding communities. 

The NELA Riverfront Collaborative will use a $2.25 million grant to revitalize the Elysian Heights community, raise environmental stewardship, and bring sustainable civic engagement and economic growth.  Organizers hope that the project will bring community members together. 

“Here begins our awareness,” said Louis Morales, project manager of NELA.  “And hopefully we get a lot of people wanting to get engaged and get involved.”

Many residents of the community came out to support the opening of the event.  One resident in particular recalls memories of growing up along the river as a boy.

“The neighborhood during that day was absolutely perfect,” said Robert Berg.  “It was quiet, and then the environment changed and then problems with gangs and stuff like that.  But now it’s coming back to the very quiet, serene neighborhood with adults and parents.  People are staying.  There’re families.  It’s just so nice be here again.” 

Berg and his friends used to call this place “Frogtown.”