EN-05-Whittier-Rosemead Bike Path 03-14-13.pdf - Watershed ...

THE EMERALD NECKLACE / Phase 1 Projects 03/14/2013
The project site is located between the Rio Hondo and the San Gabriel Rivers in the Whittier
Narrows Recreation Area. Legg Lake is located northeast of the proposed project. Whittier
Narrows is both bisected and ringed with roads that are inhospitable for recreational users on
bicycle or on foot; and many amenities within the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area are difficult
to get to without a car. Once visitors arrive by car at Legg Lake, it is equally difficult to connect
to the trails and open space attractions on the perimeter.
San Gabriel Blvd. and Durfee Ave. border the project area on the south and separate the active
areas of Whittier Narrows from the natural area around Lario Creek and the Zone 1 ditch. The
site is adjacent to Rosemead Blvd. a State Route that is heavily used, and forms a major barrier
to access into Legg Lake from the Rio Hondo side.
From the San Gabriel River Trail access to the intersection at Durfee Ave. and Rosemead Blvd.
is via the Siphon Road spur; the bicycle path continues on to the northern portion of the Rio
Hondo Bike Path diagonally across the intersection. While the western entry to Legg Lake is in
sight from this busy intersection there is no safe route to travel on except the road shoulder and
emergency lane of Rosemead Blvd.
Fig. 7. The project is located in the southern portion of the Emerald Necklace, a recreation
trail and park system on the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo Rivers.
ROSEMEAD BLVD. CLASS I BICYCLE PATH / DRAFT 4 of 8