The City of Baldwin Park began construction on the Big Dalton Greenway two years ago; Phase 1 is now complete and Phase 2 is scheduled to begin later this year.
A four-kilometer-long path has now been completed – completely separated from car traffic – along the natural, earthy part of the flush in the southern industrial corridor of the city around the motorway junction 10/605.
Phase two improvements include landscaping, fountains, benches, bike racks and repair stations, directional signs, lighting and connections to new small parks.
When Phase 3 begins in late 2025, the trail will eventually be extended 2.8 miles up the concrete portion of the car wash (parallel to Vineland Avenue) to the city’s northern border at Arrow Highway, with further connections to small parks along the way. From that point, the greenway will connect commuters to the city’s major employment centers: Kaiser Permanente, UPS’ San Gabriel Valley Hub and In-N-Out’s training facility.
“I am extremely pleased with our progress on the Baldwin Park Greenway project,” said Baldwin Park Mayor Emmanuel J. Estrada. “This project will transform our community by connecting key destinations with sustainable transportation options and adding new amenities and green spaces.”
Entrances to the finished portion of the trail are located at Syracuse Avenue and Farnell Street in the neighborhood south of Kaiser Permanente, at Baldwin Park Boulevard next to Tony’s Hobbies, and at Ramona Boulevard on the east bank of the San Gabriel River. However, the trail is not officially open, so enter at your own risk.
The Ramona entrance connects the trail to the San Gabriel River Bike Path, another link in the growing SGV Greenway Network. In its current form, the Big Dalton Path is a good reason to stop at nearby Walnut Creek Nature Park (via Hensel Street or Frazier Street; the park’s trail entrance is not yet finished).
The sights along the river are typical of the Mid-Valley: bridges, underpasses, silos, the desolate riverbed, towering power lines, oddly discarded objects, and of course the San Gabriel Mountains under a vast sky. As always, be cautious when exploring unfamiliar places and bring water.
Funding for the project comes from the California Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program, LA County Proposition C, the California Transportation Development Act, a 2009 grant from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the California Natural Resources Agency, and the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.
“While I am very pleased with our progress to date, it is important to recognize the extensive work that goes into a project of this magnitude. The City is committed to ensuring the project is done right and aims to create the best possible greenway for the community,” added Mayor Estrada, thanking staff, donors and partners.
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