Activities include trash removal and habitat restoration to support the river’s wildlife and enhance recreational spaces
The Friends of the LA River will host its 35th Annual Great LA River CleanUp on Oct. 11 and 18, inviting volunteers to clear trash and restore habitats at four key locations along the 51-mile Los Angeles River, an effort to improve water quality and protect wildlife in one of the city’s vital ecosystems.
The cleanups, open to all ages, will take place at Willow Street Bridge in Long Beach and Bond Park in Los Angeles on Oct. 11, and at Compton Creek in Compton and Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex in Encino on Oct. 18. Each site will offer two volunteer shifts starting at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Registration is required and free, though sign-ups for Bond Park are closed.
Activities include trash removal and habitat restoration to support the river’s wildlife and enhance recreational spaces for surrounding communities.
The targeted sites include three natural-bottom sections—Sepulveda Basin, Bond Park, and Willow Street—where dense riparian vegetation traps debris, polluting habitats critical for birds and other wildlife. Compton Creek, lined with cattails and willows, provides essential urban shelter for avian species. Organizers said the cleanups aim to address these challenges while fostering community engagement across the river’s diverse path through Los Angeles County.
Parking is limited at most sites, with street parking available at Willow Street, Compton Creek, and Bond Park, and designated lots at Sepulveda Basin. The Compton Creek site is accessible via the Metro A line.