BALLONA CREEK BICYCLE PATH

The 'Ballona Creek bicycle path' is a six mile stretch of Class 1 bicycle path in Los Angeles that parallels Ballona Creek for most of its length. It starts at National Boulevard in Culver City, passes through Del Rey and Playa Vista, and ending joining The Strand in Marina del Rey. The path passes by the Baldwin Hills and the Ballona Wetlands, and on clear days a view of the Santa Monica Mountains is visible. Especially near the wetlands, riders can view many varieties of wild birds all along the path. The path is flat for its entire length, except at the underpasses.

Contents

Entry points and parking

Maintenance

Current condition

Future plans

References

External links

Entry points and parking

There are gates at most main streets on the North side of the path between Culver City and the Marina. Specifically:

★ The Strand

★ Fisherman's Village ($8 to park)

★ County lot along Fiji Way just West of Admiralty Way

★ Lincoln Boulevard (Pacific Coast Highway)

★ McConnell Avenue - Access to Culver Boulevard Median bicycle path

★ South Centinela Avenue

★ Marshall Avenue

★ Inglewood Boulevard
C
★ Sawtelle Boulevard

★ Sepulveda Boulevard

★ Culver City Middle School parking lot

★ Overland Avenue (rest facilities at the Culver City Library next door)

★ Duquesne Avenue

★ National Boulevard

★ Syd Kronenthal Park, S end of Reid or Roberts or McManus Ave (entrance to path is located behind the baseball backstop), Culver City - Parking available - same ramp as National, just different street access

★ There is a "Pay and Display" parking lot next to the Pacific Avenue Bridge in Playa del Rey, next to the Strand, .6 miles west of the Ballona Creek Path.
The path is blocked just north of National/Kronenthal entrance.

Maintenance

The path is well maintained in most sections, with few hazards and most graffiti removed. In winter flotsam abounds, especially in the eastern section of the trail. Since Ballona Creek is subject to dangerously high flood flows during and immediately following rain, access to the bike path is occasionally blocked by locked gates at each of the entry points as well as several other critical locations along the path. It can sometimes take a few days for these gates to be unlocked, even after the threat of flooding has passed.

Current condition

In general, the path condition is good, with cracks patched and plenty of width. However, east of the 405 there are large areas without safety guardrails to prevent riders from accidentally running off the path, there are also several places where the road is damaged or grooved, which has caused accidents. Beware of broken glass on the path east of Centinela Avenue. The section west of the 405 freeway is fairly smooth (a benefit for roller skaters), while the section east of the 405 tends to be rougher. A rest area with benches and a water fountain was recently finished at Centinela Ave. Just east of Inglewood the path passes the Mar Vista Gardens housing development, home to the Culver City Boyz gang.

Future plans

As of summer 2007, the City of Culver City is planning a major renovation of the areas of Ballona Creek bicycle path adjacent to the Culver City Julian Dixon Library & Culver City Middle School.^[1] According to the project proposal^[2], the site will include a rest area, educational displays, new fencing, and night lighting. Native plants will also replace parts of the current concrete embankment.

References

1. City of Culver City Ballona Creek Project workshop notice letter. Accessed August 12, 2007.
2. City of Culver City Ballona Creek Project Map. Accessed August 12, 2007.

External links

★ http://www.labikepaths.com/Ballona.html

★ http://www.ballonacreek.org/maps/bikepath.shtml

★ Google Maps of the area