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1 RiversideCA.gov
City Council
May 10, 2022
SANTA ANA RIVER BOTTOM WORKING GROUP
PROGRESS UPDATE
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Department
RiversideCA.gov
2 BACKGROUND
In June 2021, Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson created a Working Group co-chaired by Ward 1 Councilmember, Erin Edwards and Ward 7 Councilmember, Steven Hemenway to attract:
1. City Investment
2. Private Investment
3. Public Awareness
On February 1, 2022, City Council directed the group to identify a public outreach process and potential funding sources for opportunities for development along the Santa Ana River and strategies for implementation.
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3 CHALLENGES
Challenges identified:
1. Homeless encampments
2. Fire hazards
3. Lack of awareness about the river or where to access it
4. Safety concerns
5. Lack of water in the river
6. Regulatory and jurisdictional challenges
7. Funding for maintenance of existing trail infrastructure
8. Lack of amenities
RiversideCA.gov
4 SYNERGIZE VISION WITH RIVER EFFORTS
• Cleanups
• Enforcement
• Engagement
• Restoration
• Development
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5 SYNERGIZE RIVER EFFORTS
1. Cleanups with Public Safety and Engagement Team (PSET)
2. Enforcement with Park and Neighborhood Specialist
(PANS) at adjacent Parks
3. Engagement with Offi ce of Homeless Solutions
4. Restoration of the river habitat with other agencies RiversideCA.gov
6 SYNERGIZE WITH RIVER EFFORTS
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7 RIVERSIDE GATEWAY PARKS
https://riversidegatewayparks.com/
RiversideCA.gov
8 July 2022:
Establish the core technical group
Reconvene the Santa Ana River Working Group
Begin a baseline constraints analysis
Outline a community engagement process
Develop a brand
September 2022:
Celebrate World Rivers Day on the 4 th Weekend in
September
NEXT STEPS
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9 November 2022:
Outline short-term goals and establish a long-term shared vision
Ongoing:
Set a strategy for funding through grants
Coordinating with ongoing projects
Establish a synergy of efforts and investment on cleanups, enforcement, engagement, and restoration
NEXT STEPS
RiversideCA.gov
10 STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Arts, Culture
and Recreation
Community
Well-Being
Economic
Opportunity
Environmental
Stewardship
Infrastructure,
Mobility and
Connectivity
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11 RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council receive and file the Santa
Ana River Working Group update and provide
input and direction.
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