Protected: Para Todos

The Para Todos campaign was led by the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) from 2023 to 2026. It was created to ensure that equity and community stability remain at the center as the 2018 Lower Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan and the projects it identified begin to take shape.

Campaign Goals

RMC’s Role as a State Agency

The Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) is a California State agency within the Natural Resources Agency. Its mission is to protect existing as well as create new open space and wildlife habitats, improve water quality, and make sure that all communities have fair access to nature.

Through the Lower Los Angeles River (LLAR) Para Todos campaign, the RMC serves not only as a funder for new parks and open spaces, but also as a connector, listener, and advocate. By supporting research, building partnerships, and uplifting community voices, the RMC aims to help shape a future where environmental restoration goes hand in hand with environmental justice and equitable green space development.

A Brief History of the Lower LA River Revitalization Plan

The Lower Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan (LLARRP) was created between 2016 and 2018, and was initiated by Assembly Bill 530 (Rendon, 2015). The plan focuses on the 19-mile stretch of the LA River from Vernon to Long Beach. It identifies high-priority opportunities to add parks, restore natural habitats, and connect open spaces—especially in areas that have historically been underserved. This effort brought together cities, agencies, nonprofits, and community members to develop a shared vision for riverfront revitalization.

The Purpose of Para Todos: Equity in Action

While the original Lower Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan (LLARRP) set the vision, the Para Todos Campaign (2023–2026) ensures that the vision is carried out equitably so current residents benefit from new investments rather than being displaced by them.

It means kids having safe green spaces to play, families gathering under shade near the river, and neighbors accessing clean paths that connect.

The name Para Todos – “for everyone” – captures the heart of the effort: creating a river that serves the people who live, work, and play along it today. The campaign focused on putting ideas into practice, sharing what works, and helping cities and communities build the tools to deliver inclusive, community-driven revitalization projects.

Funding and Our Focus Area

This work is supported by Proposition 1 and Proposition 68, state bond measures dedicated to clean water and outdoor equity. To ensure these resources create the greatest impact, the RMC focuses on a 1.5-mile boundary on either side of the river and its tributaries.

This geographic focus allows the RMC to meet three critical goals:

• Legislative Consistency: The 1.5-mile boundary aligns with the original vision of AB 530, which called for holistic river revitalization.
• Community Proximity: The 1.5-mile radius encompasses the neighborhoods, schools, and local businesses most likely to walk, bike, or commute to the riverfront.
• Closing the Equity Gap: The LA County Park Needs Assessment identifies many of these areas as “Park Poor,” while CalEPA classifies them as Disadvantaged Communities due to disproportionate environmental and socioeconomic burdens.

By centering our work here, the RMC ensures that State funds provide multi-benefit solutions—simultaneously protecting biodiversity for future generations and expanding park equity for the communities who call this corridor home today.

Community Voices: The Heart of Para Todos

Over the past three years, the RMC and its Para Todos consultant team have connected with community-based organizations, neighborhood associations, city and state partners, and residents to make sure that river revitalization reflects community priorities.

2023: The team met with local agencies and city staff working within 1.5 miles of the Lower LA River to share information about current and future projects and find ways to collaborate.

2024: The team started meeting with community-based and neighborhood groups as well as attending community events to meet directly with residents to hear their priorities, needs, and concerns around river revitalization.

2025-2026: The team met with local elected officials to share updates and build ongoing partnerships and support for the vision. Some cities adopted a resolution in support of the campaign to affirm their commitment to advancing a community-informed vision for the Lower LA River that reflects the values of equity, environmental stewardship, and inclusive growth.

Over the course of the campaign, the team met with:

• 57 Community-Based Groups who work along the Lower LA River
• 32 Neighborhood Associations as well as Block, Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs
• 17 Elected Leaders (including State Assembly members, Senators, and local City Council members)
• 14 City Staff teams from across the corridor jurisdictions and Regional Agencies such as the Port of Long Beach
• 14 organizations that focus on quality of life issues (e.g.,housing, food security, education)
• Attended 109 Community Events

The RMC and Para Todos team is deeply grateful to everyone who shared their time, experience, and ideas. Your voices helped shape this work and will continue to guide how future projects are designed and funded—ensuring that the river truly is for everyone.

Para Todos Campaign Final Report

Read Para Todos Plan Here 📄

Plan Appendices: Tools for Equitable Development

i. Lower LA River Current and Future Map
This map shows a compilation of projects and plans described in consultations between Para Todos Project Team members and Lower LA River cities and agency staff that took place between 2023-2025. The projects shown here represent a point in time and are not assumed to be all of the projects and plans currently taking place along the Lower LA River.

ii. Supporting Greener, Stronger Communities Report
This report shares research on how to promote equitable development and community stability along the Lower LA River. It is designed to help elected officials and partners include strong anti-displacement measures that protect and uplift existing communities.

iii. Best Practices for Project Developers Toolkit
This toolkit offers easy-to-use guidance for developers and agencies on how to engage communities effectively, incorporate anti-displacement strategies into park development, promote equitable development, and build meaningful partnerships between cities and community groups.

iv. Workforce Development Research Findings
These findings provide an overview of existing workforce programs and training opportunities in the Lower LA River area. They include ideas for how future projects can better support local hiring, community workforce agreements and partner with local workforce development organizations.

v. Tribal Engagement Case Studies
This section highlights examples of tribal collaboration in past RMC funded projects, including the Los Cerritos Wetlands Tribal Advisory Group, the Sleepy Lagoon Memorial Project at Maywood Riverfront Park, and the Urban Orchard Park in South Gate. It also shares lessons learned about early, respectful, and compensated engagement.

vi. City Resolutions Passed
This appendix lists city council resolutions adopted through the Para Todos campaign, supporting equitable development along the Lower Los Angeles River.

Get Involved in your Community’s Projects

Public projects—like parks, shade trees, safer crosswalks, and neighborhood flood protections—have a real impact on our daily lives. By staying informed and sharing your experiences early, you can help make sure these projects meet the needs of the people who live there and avoid unnecessary mistakes. When more residents speak up, communities are more likely to benefit, ongoing maintenance is planned, and job opportunities can stay local.