Riverside Secures $6M for River Park

The California Coastal Conservancy awarded Riverside up to $6 million on May 5 to help remake Martha McLean Anza Narrows Park, a city-owned site along Jurupa Avenue tied to broader plans for river access. The money will cover half of a $12 million project aimed at improving public access to the Santa Ana River and the Santa Ana River Trail, according to the city. Riverside officials said the work is part of the Riverside Gateway Project Master Plan, a multi-site planning effort along the river corridor. Construction cannot begin until the city secures the remaining money and completes the needed approvals. ### Which park is getting the money, and who awarded it? Martha McLean Anza Narrows Park, a 39.5-acre city-owned park in Riverside, is the site named in the award. The California Coastal Conservancy approved as much as $6 million for improvements there, the city said in a May 5 news release. The City of Riverside said the grant is intended to help turn the park into a gateway to the Santa Ana River and the adjacent Santa Ana River Trail. (riversideca.gov) Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said in the city statement that the funds would help connect residents with “the river that gives our city its name.” ### What does the $6 million pay for? (riversideca.gov) The $6 million grant pays for half of a $12 million park project, according to the city. Riverside said the planned work includes a playground, a nature play area, exercise stations, swings overlooking the river, open meadows, shade structures and two new restroom facilities. (riversideca.gov) A bandshell is also included in the plan, along with improved parking, upgraded irrigation, lighting, drinking fountains and a decomposed-granite path. The city said a marked Santa Ana River Trail trailhead would be added to guide users into the area. ### How does this connect to the river itself? The Santa Ana River and the Santa Ana River Trail are central to the project description released by Riverside. (riversideca.gov) City officials said the work is designed to expand access to both and reconnect nearby neighborhoods to the river corridor. The city’s park-planning page says the Martha McLean Anza Narrows Park master plan is one of eight sites in the Riverside Gateway Project Suite. (riversideca.gov) Riverside said those sites are intended to contribute to the larger Santa Ana River Parkway and Open Space system, a regional vision for a trail and greenway along the river. ### What else is planned beyond recreation features? (riversideca.gov) Interpretive installations and art are part of the park plan, according to the city’s release. Riverside said those elements are meant to present a fuller history of the site, including Indigenous perspectives. Habitat work is also included. The city said landscaping changes would be used to block unauthorized vehicle access to the river, improve pedestrian access and replace existing turf with native and near-native pollinator plants. (riversideca.gov) ### Why isn’t construction starting yet? Riverside’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department still has to find the rest of the project funding before work can begin, the city said. (riversideca.gov) The grant announcement and follow-up coverage both said additional financing is required. The city’s planning page also says the Riverside Gateway Project Suite includes CEQA services for eight sites, indicating environmental review remains part of the broader project framework. (riversideca.gov) Riverside did not give a construction start date in the materials reviewed. ### What happens next, and where can residents track it? Riverside’s next step is to secure the remaining project money and complete approvals before construction at Martha McLean Anza Narrows Park. (riversideca.gov) The city has posted the park within its Parks, Recreation and Community Services planning pages under the Riverside Gateway Project master plans. (riversideca.gov) The May 5 city release identifies the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department as the unit seeking added funding. Until that process is complete, the $6 million award remains a major piece of financing rather than a notice to break ground. (riversideca.gov)