Transforming a historic railyard into a vibrant state park along the LA River

Bowtie Wetland Demonstration

Located along the Los Angeles (LA) River at the Bowtie parcel in Elysian Valley, the Bowtie Wetland Demonstration is a pioneering effort to integrate habitat restoration, community engagement, and stormwater management in a highly urbanized setting.

As the lead engineering consultant, we worked in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, California State Parks, and other key parties to transform the underutilized riverfront site and historic railyard into a model for nature-based solutions and ecological enhancement. The project focused on the installation of native plants, a wetland, and interpretive trails to demonstrate ecological design practices within the LA River corridor.

We led technical design and permitting support and participated in community outreach from early concept through final design and construction documentation. The design emphasizes green infrastructure elements, and the final project will include educational features that promote stewardship and understanding of urban ecosystems. Throughout the process, we helped to facilitate coordination with agencies including the City of Los Angeles and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, aligning the project with broader LA River revitalization efforts.

The Bowtie Wetland Demonstration provides a model for small-scale, low-impact development projects that offer both community and ecological benefits. It also serves as a functional and symbolic milestone in LA’s ongoing commitment to restore and reimagine their river spaces.