Whittier Celebrates Completion of Greenway Trail East Extension

WHITTIER, CA – The City of Whittier marked a significant milestone in its quest for community connectivity on Friday, August 18, 2023, with a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the much-anticipated east extension of Whittier’s beloved Greenway Trail. The ceremony commenced at 9:00 a.m. and took place at the intersection of First Street and Lambert Road, a location that marks the trail's continued growth and impact in the community.

In attendance were key figures from the City’s leadership, including past and present City Council members, alongside a diverse array of dedicated stakeholders including representatives from Union Pacific Railroad, the Mayor of neighboring La Habra, as well as representatives from the offices of Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Assemblywoman Lisa Calderon, and Senator Bob Archuleta among others.

Also present for the celebration was Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, whose tireless commitment to the project while previously serving on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure was acknowledged with a certificate of appreciation. The Congresswoman, who has announced her retirement from public service at the end of her current term, was recognized during the event for her instrumental role in spearheading the trail's eastward expansion from its inception and securing its advancement through her persistent negotiations with the railroad that helped the City of Whittier purchase property and the rights of way for the extension. The ribbon cutting ceremony was an opportunity to recognize the collaborative spirit that has fueled the development of the Greenway Trail, fostering enhanced community engagement and improved urban connectivity across the region.

The newly completed east extension has seamlessly added an impressive 2.8 miles to the existing 4.6-mile Greenway Trail, culminating at the Orange County and City of La Habra line. The broader vision for the trail, while ambitious, has been to establish a shared connection and accessible transit for walkers and bicyclists between the counties of Los Angeles and Orange. Anticipating the future, the City of Whittier has set its sights on further enhancing the Greenway Trail by pursuing a potential extension toward the west side of Whittier, aiming to link with the existing San Gabriel River bike path. Recent achievements in land acquisition have paved the way for yet another transformative endeavor, as the City plans to repurpose 1.9 acres of land north of the First Avenue terminus into a passive park.

“The Greenway Trail is more than just a Whittier amenity,” stated Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri. “It is the result of more than a decade of collective contributions and advocacy from many federal, state, and local partners which has allowed Whittier to not only connect neighboring communities via an active railway, but to champion a greater vision of making a single bike ride from the Santa Ana River to the San Gabriel River possible in the future.”

The Greenway Trail represents a multi-year initiative that has sought to augment the recreational landscape of the city, providing local families with a unique pathway accessible from various locations throughout Whittier. The trail alleviates traffic congestion and improves air quality by encouraging active transportation; encourages healthy living by providing outdoor recreation and fitness space; demonstrates water conservation with drought tolerant plants, bioswale and water recapture, and educational panels; and replaces a blighted abandoned railroad corridor with a scenic greenbelt. The Greenway connects with local and regional bus systems, including Foothill Transit, Metro, Montebello Bus Lines, and Norwalk Transit.

For more information on the Greenway Trail, please call the Whittier Parks, Recreation & Community Services department at (562) 567-9400 or visit www.cityofwhittier.org.