Supervisor Don Knabe joined other local elected officials this week for the opening of the Dominguez Gap Wetlands in Long Beach. The $7 million treatment wetlands and spreading grounds project is the latest in a series of regional, multi-benefit projects implemented by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. At peak capacity, the new wetlands will naturally remove pollutants and other harmful chemicals from over one million gallons of storm water every day, before that water reaches the ocean or returns to the ground water supply.

Don Knabe. Working for you.

Parks and the Environment Accomplishments

2008

Creating Wetlands along the Los Angeles River

Supervisor Knabe joined other local elected officials for the opening of the Dominguez Gap Wetlands in Long Beach. The $7 million treatment wetlands and spreading grounds project is the latest in a series of regional, multi-benefit projects implemented by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. At peak capacity, the new wetlands will naturally remove pollutants and other harmful chemicals from over one million gallons of storm water every day, before that water reaches the ocean or returns to the ground water supply.

Upgrading the South Bay Bike Trail
A major upgrade and overhaul of the South Bay Bike Trail is now complete. The renovated bike path is located between 62nd Avenue and Culver Boulevard in the Playa del Rey community of the City of Los Angeles. The project involved the reconstruction of the existing bike trail, including the construction of deep base to stabilize the path and new concrete pavement, and the installation of new striping and pavement markings.
 

New Fitness Center at Carolyn Rosas Park
Supervisor Knabe cut the ribbon at the new Carolyn Rosas Fitness Center in Rowland Heights. The $2.3 million, 2,500 square foot addition will provide much needed space to support the park’s current programs. In addition, the new Fitness Center will allow the Department of Parks and Recreation to offer new programs at the park including: martial arts, wrestling, hula dancing, diet and exercise classes, yoga, badminton and Tai Chi. The new facility also includes additional office space and a new kitchen and snack area for the park.
 

Sewage Spill Reporting Reforms Yields Widespread Improvements

The successful reporting of sewage spills across Los Angeles County has skyrocketed in the past year, due to widespread reforms initiated by Supervisor Knabe. The findings come in a newly-released report by the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller and reveal that since Supervisor Knabe’s call for reforms last year, there has been a dramatic increase in the reporting of sewage spills to the County Public Health Officer.

2007

Improving Sewage Spill Reporting Process

Statewide Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed Assembly Bill 800 (AB 800), authored by Torrance Assemblymember Ted Lieu, which will dramatically improve the sewage spill reporting process across California. The bill is based on an investigation called for by Supervisor Knabe earlier this year. As a result of the investigation, Supervisor Knabe unveiled a number of reforms including working with Assemblyman Lieu to amend state law to resolve issues that went beyond the County’s legal authority to correct.

Providing Paramount with Funds for Projects Along L.A. River Supervisor Knabe worked to secure $2.5 million in Proposition A funds to develop and expand Ralph A. Dills Park. The funds will assist the City in developing new open space near the existing park and renovating the preexisting facilities, and the expanded area of the park will extend the Dills Park Trail and provide a natural setting with a large meadow, picnic areas, restroom, and playground. The renovation of the existing parkland will convert this area into a nature walk that connects to the expansion area and provides improved accessibility on the Los Angeles River Trail.

Keeping an Eye on the Environment with Beach Vehicles

With approval by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors of a $1.3 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (ARB), the Department of Beaches and Harbors has secured the necessary funding to begin a major project replacing four pieces of off-highway equipment for vehicles over ten years old and exhaust retrofitting ten additional off-highway vehicles less than ten years old.

Providing Long Beach with Funds for Projects along L.A. RiverSupervisor Knabe presented Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster $5 million in Proposition A funds to restore dozens of acres of historic wetlands, acquire land to be developed into greenspace linking existing parks, and develop other areas into park space.

Redirecting Urban Runoff and Pollutants Away from Ocean
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors accepted the construction of a two new low-flow diversions that were recently completed in Marina del Rey and Manhattan Beach. Low-flow diversions are designed to divert non-storm flows away from the ocean and to a sewage treatment plant.

New Funding for Park Projects

Supervisor Knabe dedicated $1.7 million in Proposition A Park funds to be used for various projects across the Fourth District. A general description of the 19 total projects includes: enhancing recreation facilities, graffiti prevention, natural lands restoration, trails acquisition and development, and urban tree planting.

Planting Trees throughout the Fourth District
The Board of Supervisors approved the Urban Reforestation Project, which allocated over $700,000 in Proposition 12 funds to various tree planting/replacement projects throughout most Fourth District parks and golf courses.
 

Dredging in Marina del Rey
With the Board of Supervisors approving a $1.6 million contribution, the County of Los Angeles has secured all the necessary funding for a major dredging project in Marina del Rey. The project will return the north entrance to its design depth of 20 feet and will place the clean sand removed from the area offshore from Dockweiler Beach to aid in beach replenishment.

Renovations at South Coast Botanic Garden

Supervisor Knabe approved over $600,000 in refurbishments at South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The renovation project included the installation of a new Japanese Garden trellis, installation of new lighting, and installation of new turf in three meadow areas.

Honoring Veterans at County Parks

In honor of Veterans Day, Supervisor Knabe directed the Department of Parks & Recreation to waive admission and vehicle entrance fees for Veterans, military personnel and their immediate families at various regional park facilities throughout Los Angeles County.

Going Green in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County has adopted new building standards that will require all new County buildings over 10,000 square feet to meet strict sustainability guidelines set by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Among the sustainability rules adopted by the Board are requirements that buildings commissioned by the County include drought-resistant landscaping, water use efficiencies, natural indoor lighting and recycled construction materials. The new County Data Center in Downey was designed to meet the new standards and will be the County’s first Green Building.

Reforming the Sewage Spill Reporting Process
Supervisor Knabe unveiled a number of reforms to immediately address and reform the sewage spill reporting process, as well as the impact of the public health and health of the environment these inactions may have caused. An investigation revealed that since January 2002, over 11.6 million gallons of raw sewage have been spilled from wastewater treatment systems throughout the Santa Monica Bay Watershed in 208 separate sewage spills. Of those spills, over 90-percent were never properly recorded by health officials, nor were records kept as to what was done to protect the safety and health of the public impacted by the spills.

Improving Rowland Heights Park
Over $1.8 million in renovations and improvements are completed at Rowland Heights County Park. The extensive construction work included reproofing of the existing community building, resurfacing and repainting of the parking lot, replacement of drinking fountains and barbeque grills, additional security lighting and new sidewalks to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

County Office of Water Recycling Created
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted recommendations that established the County Office of Water Recycling within the County Department of Public Works. Working with other entities, the Office of Water Recycling will strive to double the region’s use of non-potable recycled water by 2030—an annual increase of 54 billion gallons.

Keeping Trash Out of the Bay

A project to install 460 trash catch basins in the cities of Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood has been approved by the Board of Supervisors. The trash collectors will be placed at the openings of catch basins along the curb, partially blocking the openings to prevent most trash from entering the storm drain system.

Refurbishing Dockweiler State Beach

Supervisor Knabe participated in a dedication ceremony for $14 million in new facilities at Dockweiler Beach. Improvements included replacement of four restroom buildings, an entry kiosk, refurbishment of maintenance and lifeguard facilities, a concession building, new playground equipment, and upgrades to the recreational vehicle park with conversion of all spaces to full hook-ups, and parking lots.

Dedicating the Enhanced Wrigley Green Belt on Earth Day

Supervisor Knabe and the Port of Long Beach sponsored the installation of a decorative gate in Long Beach on Earth Day. This year’s Earth Day was part of a larger Public Works comprehensive project called the Wrigley Greenbelt Project. The goal of this project includes landscape enhancements to help improve the urban air quality and increase health benefits to the neighboring communities. In addition, the proposed water quality enhancements include water retention features to collect, filter and percolate storm flows from the adjacent residential areas.

Festival Demonstrates the Cultural Diversity of the Heights
Supervisor Knabe co-hosted the 4th Annual “Taste of The Heights” Festival at Pathfinder Park. The “Taste of The Heights”, which has been established as a featured annual event in Rowland Heights, and showcases fine food from local restaurants to demonstrate the cultural diversity of the Heights.

Overhauling the Outdated Irrigation System at Los Verdes Golf Course More than $2.6 million was invested into renovating the irrigation system at the County’s Los Verdes Golf Course on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The new system will include a weather station and computer system to fully automate irrigation of the golf course. In addition to gauging water needs, the new system will also be capable of injecting fertilizer into the turf.

Offering Free Access to County Facilities for Veterans
In honor of veterans, the Board of Supervisors voted to waive parking fees for veterans at County-operated parking lots, beaches and parks. The vote exempts vehicles with valid veterans special license plates from the payment of parking fees at all County-owned and operated public parking lots, including vehicle entry fees at County parks, beaches and County-enforced parking meters.

Schabarum Regional Park Undergoing Three Major Improvement Projects
Over $2.2 million in renovations and improvements are set to begin at Schabarum Regional County Park in Rowland Heights. This extensive construction at Schabarum includes three distinct projects: renovation of bridges, improvement of horse trails, and the installation new playground equipment.

2006

Reducing the Impact of Sewage Spills

After a series of damaging sewage spills along South Bay beaches in early 2006, Supervisor Knabe initiated a massive reform in the public reporting and notification process for future sewage spills. Also included in the reform plan is a call for severe penalties against anyone or any agency that fails to take preventable action that may minimize a sewage spill. These penalties include a first-ever call for possible criminal sanctions or for substantial fines tied directly to any delays in the length of time it takes for an agency to report a sewage spill.

Improving Water Quality

At Supervisor Knabe’s direction, the County begins implementation of the Marina Beach Water Quality Improvement Project, which included the installation of water circulators below the surface at Mother’s Beach to reduce stagnation and improve the water quality in the Marina.
 

Protecting Wildlife Migration

In an effort to create a safe corridor for wildlife in the hills of La Habra Heights, Supervisor Knabe joined with the Puente Hills Landfill Native Habitat Authority to fund and construct a $1.5 million wildlife tunnel underneath Harbor Boulevard. The underpass, which will serve as a vital wildlife corridor connection for both Los Angeles and Orange Counties, was constructed in a way that would not impact the flow of vehicle traffic on Harbor Boulevard.
 

Honoring Veterans at County Parks

In honor of Veterans Day, Supervisor Knabe directed the Department of Parks & Recreation to waive admission and vehicle entrance fees for Veterans, military personnel and their immediate families at various regional park facilities throughout Los Angeles County.
 

Major Renovation of Cerritos Regional Park

$12 Million improvement project will include the following refurbishments: renovation of 35 acres of turf, cobblestone treatment on two deteriorated slopes, waterproofing of selected exterior gymnasium walls, creation of new parking, installation of new park lighting, the relocation of trees, the construction of an ADA accessible restroom, and other park improvements.
 

Conserving Precious Water Supplies

Seeking to insure that our water supplies remain sustainable and reliable, Supervisor Knabe directed the Department of Public Works to examine availability of recycled water and report back to the Board with policy recommendations on how the County can advance the use of recycled water for non-potable purposes like watering lawns and landscaping in County parks and golf courses.

Improvements Made at Numerous East San Gabriel Valley Parks

Supervisor Knabe secured millions of dollars in funding to improve several parks throughout the East San Gabriel Valley. Schabarum, Steinmetz, Los Robles, Rowland Heights, Carolyn Rosas, Pathfinder and Bill Blevins all received significant refurbishments, improvements, or upgrades this past year.
 

Working with La Mirada to Build New Aquatics Center

The County of Los Angeles and the City of La Mirada began a cooperative project to build a Regional Aquatics Center in La Mirada. The County transferred the title of approximately 18-acres of land to La Mirada, and in exchange the City has agreed to build a regional aquatics venue that will offer residents of La Mirada and of other surrounding cities both traditional style pool facilities and “family-fun” features. It will offer a full range of competition, instructional, recreational and therapeutic aquatic opportunities.
 

Developing Treatment Wetlands in Long Beach

As identified in the Los Angeles River Master Plan of 1996, extensive treatment wetlands are now being developed in the Dominguez Gap Spreading Grounds in the City of Long Beach. The project will consist of enhancing the quality of water recharged in the west basin, providing public use open space along both basins with passive recreational features including trails, shade structures, and interpretive signage, and installing trash removal devices at major storm drain outlets.

2005

$1 million donation to Palos Verdes Land Conservancy for open space acquisition/ preservation of Portuguese Bend area.

Funding provided to the City of Long Beach for LA River projects.
 

$200,000 to the City of Long Beach for the Drake-Chavez Greenbelt Park Project.

$80,000 to City of Long Beach for the playground renovation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.

$85,000 to the City of Long Beach for Rotary Centennial Park Shade Shelter.
 

$100,000 to the City of Long Beach for construction of new mini-park along Los Angeles River.
 

$1.45 million for expansion of senior center, restroom addition and other refurbishments at Steinmetz County Park in Hacienda Heights.
Developed the Hacienda Hills Trailhead at the foot of Orange Grove Avenue in Hacienda Heights in partnership with the Habitat Authority.

2004

Support of the renovation of Pio Pico State Park and service on Advisory Board.

Improvements at Lakewood Golf Course. Construction on new cart paths, renovated and new bunkers, new tree plantings, new golf cart staging area flatwork, and the installation of a new facility sign. The project did not affect the public’s use of the golf course.
 

$728,000 for improvements for Pathfinder Park Gazebo and Courtyard expansion in Rowland Heights.
 

Installation of a number of safety markings and features for the road leading up to Friendship Park in Palos Verdes.

2003

Improvements to Diamond Bar Golf Course. Blue line stream restoration involving removing and burying a concrete channel, naturalizing the stream bank, and planting the creek with native plants. The project was completed with a minimum impact to the golf course.

Funding provided for Pio Pico Historic State Park

2002

Improvements to La Mirada Golf Course. Construction on the renovation of the number ten hole and improvements for a new irrigation lake. Project was conducted in a manner that did not impede use of the course by golfers.

Annual funding for Rancho Palos Verdes’ “Whale of a Day” event to promote knowledge and awareness of the annual whale migration just off of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

2001

$80,000 granted to each Fourth District city for general park improvements.