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Glendale Narrows facts for kids

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Glendale Narrows of the Los Angeles River.
Los Angeles River Glendale.jpg

The Glendale Narrows is a special 11-mile (17.7 km) part of the Los Angeles River. It's located in the Northeast Los Angeles area of Los Angeles County, California. This section is unique because it's one of the few places where the river still has a natural, unpaved bottom.

Where is the Glendale Narrows?

This part of the river flows next to several communities. These include Glendale, Griffith Park, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, and Elysian Valley.

The Glendale Narrows is very popular for outdoor fun. People enjoy birdwatching, fishing, and just being outside.

Getting to the Narrows

You can easily reach the Glendale Narrows from several places. Some popular starting points are the Elysian Valley Bicycle & Pedestrian Path and the Glendale Narrows River Walk. There are also parks like North Atwater Creek Restoration & Park and Marsh Park that offer access.

Several main streets cross over this section of the river. These include Los Feliz Boulevard, Glendale Boulevard, and Fletcher Drive. There's even a special footbridge for walkers between Sunnynook River Park and Atwater Village.

Bike Path Along the River

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The Glendale Narrows in Atwater Village, Los Angeles, with Downtown Los Angeles in the distance.

The Glendale Narrows Elysian Valley Bike Path is a great place to ride your bike or walk. This path is about 7.4 miles (11.9 km) long. It's part of the larger Los Angeles River bicycle path.

The path follows the river through Glendale, Griffith Park, Atwater Village, and Elysian Valley. You can start at Riverside Drive & Victory Boulevard in Burbank. Another end point is Egret Park in Elysian Valley. There are many other spots to get onto the path along its route.

Parks Along the Path

Many parks are located right along the bike path. These green spaces offer more places to relax and enjoy nature. Some of these parks include:

  • Rio de Los Angeles State Park
  • Northeastern Griffith Park
  • Egret Park
  • Oso Park
  • Steelhead Park
  • Duck Park
  • Riverdale Mini-Park
  • Marsh Park
  • Rattlesnake Park
  • Crystal Park
  • Sunnynook River Park

Nature and Wildlife

The Glendale Narrows is a vital home for many plants and animals. Long ago, the Tongva people, who lived in this area, used the Los Angeles River as a key resource. They had villages in the wider Glendale Narrows region.

Plants of the Narrows

This section of the river is special because it's one of the only parts with a natural, unpaved bottom. This allows many native plants to grow, creating a green area called a Riparian zone.

Some of the native plants you might see here include:

Animals of the Narrows

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A bird in the river.

The Glendale Narrows is a fantastic place for birdwatching. Many different kinds of birds live here or stop by during their migrations.

Birds You Might See

Some of the birds that call the Narrows home are:

Other Animals

The river also provides water for many other animals. You might spot:

Long ago, before the area was developed, larger animals also relied on the river. These included mountain lions, Mexican gray wolves, and even the now-extinct California grizzly bear.

Fish and Other Water Creatures

Before the Los Angeles River was mostly paved with concrete, it was home to native steelhead trout. Today, you can find many different fish and crustaceans in the Narrows, though most are introduced species.

Some of the fish and crustaceans found here are:

Fishing is allowed in the Glendale Narrows all year round.

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