Ballona Creek bicycle path facts for kids

The Ballona Creek bicycle path is a fun trail for bikes and walking in Los Angeles. It's about 6 miles (10 kilometers) long. This path runs right next to Ballona Creek for almost its whole length. It's a great place to get some exercise and enjoy nature!

The path starts in Culver City, near Syd Kronenthal Park. Look for it behind the sports fields, by some tall eucalyptus trees. It goes south through the Del Rey area. The path finishes in Marina del Rey, where it connects with another famous bike trail called the Marvin Braude Bicycle Trail, close to Playa del Rey.

Along the way, you'll see the Baldwin Hills Mountains and the amazing Ballona Wetlands. On a clear day, you might even spot the Santa Monica Mountains! Near the wetlands, you can see lots of wild birds, butterflies, and other animals. There are also beautiful wildflowers and trees. The path is mostly flat, which makes it easy to ride. You will only find small slopes at the five underpasses beneath roads and two freeways.

What is the Ballona Creek Bike Path?

The Ballona Creek bicycle path is a special type of bike path called a Class 1 path. This means it's completely separate from car traffic, making it very safe for cyclists and walkers. It's built on land owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but the County of Los Angeles manages it for everyone to use.

Why is the Ballona Creek Bike Path important?

This path is important for several reasons:

• Exercise and Fun: It gives people a safe place to ride bikes, walk, run, and enjoy the outdoors.
• Nature Connection: It allows people to experience the natural beauty of the Ballona Wetlands and see local wildlife, even though it's in a big city.
• Transportation: For some, it's a way to get around without a car, connecting different parts of the city.

How has the path been improved?

The City of Culver City has worked to make parts of the Ballona Creek bicycle path even better. Near the Julian Dixon Library and Culver City Middle School, they added some cool new features:

• A nice rest area where you can take a break.
• Educational displays to help you learn about the creek and its environment.
• New fences for safety.
• Night lighting so people can use the path even after dark.
• They also replaced some of the concrete banks with native plants. This helps the environment and makes the path look more natural and beautiful.

Images for kids

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  Native plantings, cyclist using bike path, Ballona Creek, palm trees

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  Path alongside Ballona Wetlands