Festival Trail is a bold initiative to create a continuous green network and cultural corridor connecting Los Angeles ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It’s more than just a path; it's a holistic vision to ensure the energy of the Games leaves behind a stronger, greener, and more connected city for all Angelenos.

The vision is to transform Los Angeles by:

• Reconnecting the City through new and improved walkable, bikeable, and wheelchair-accessible routes that link neighborhoods, parks, rivers, and cultural destinations.

• Activating Public Spaces with art, shade, storytelling, and community-led programming.

• Celebrating Our Diversity by highlighting accessibility, inclusivity, and equity of experience for all.

• Catalyzing a Civic Legacy of sustainability, inclusion, and joy that lasts long after the 2028 Games.

The first phase will create a loop through the Heart of LA, connecting downtown Los Angeles to the LA River. It commences at the founding place of Los Angeles, enticing people into the heart of the city.

The LA28 Games provide a unique catalyst and deadline to accelerate this transformative project. Festival Trail is designed to harness the momentum of the Games to deliver immediate and long-term benefits, turning shared streets into a shared celebration and ensuring the Olympics leave a positive, permanent mark on the city.

The project is designed to leave a legacy of:

• Green Infrastructure: More shade, improved parks, and a connected network of green spaces.

• Community Connections: Better, safer, and more accessible routes for walking, biking, and rolling between neighborhoods and cultural destinations.

• Activated Public Realm: Vibrant spaces filled with art and community programming.

• Civic Pride: A stronger, more connected city that celebrates its diversity as a superpower.

Absolutely. Festival Trail is designed as the 21st-century equivalent of LA's historic Olympic beautification projects.

• 1932: The city planted thousands of iconic palm trees, transforming the landscape and providing jobs during the Great Depression.

• 1984: The Games became a model for financial success and led to the creation of the LA84 Foundation, which has created a lasting legacy of supporting youth sports.

Festival Trail continues this tradition by using the Games as a catalyst to build a legacy of green infrastructure, community connection, and civic pride for future generations. This is "The People's Games," creating a permanent mark on the city.

It's much more than that! While it will include new and improved paths for walking, biking, and rolling in a wheelchair, it's also about activating the spaces along those paths with art, shade, gardens, and community events. Think of it as a linear park that connects you to the city's heart.

The Olympics are simply the catalyst to get this built. The permanent benefits are for everyone: more shaded places to walk, new parks and plazas, beautiful public art, and safer routes for kids to get to school or for you to bike to a local café. It’s about improving LA's public space for the long haul, long after the athletes have gone home.

·      Add your name to the letter of support.

·      Volunteer for planting, art, or community events.

·      Donate to help expand the Trail across LA.

·      Share your voice through the Neighborhood Pulse Survey.

Community input is essential! The project will rely on community-led programming and storytelling. You can get involved by:

·       Attending public workshops and community meetings.

·       Participating in art and culture calls for local artists.

·       Volunteering for planting and beautification events.

·       Following the project's official channels for updates and opportunities.

This is a critical concern. The vision emphasizes equity and inclusivity. The project aims to work with community partners to ensure it benefits existing residents through job opportunities, community benefits agreements, and policies designed to prevent displacement, making the area better for those who already call it home.

The initial phase is targeted for completion ahead of the 2028 Games. Detailed construction timelines will be released as planning progresses, with an emphasis on phasing to minimize disruption.

Funding is expected to come from a combination of public, private, and philanthropic sources, similar to the model used for the successful 1984 Games. The project is designed to be a cost-effective investment in LA's future infrastructure and quality of life.

Safety and accessibility is a top priority. The design will incorporate proven safety measures like dedicated lanes, improved lighting, clear signage, and traffic-calming features to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for people of all ages and abilities.

Expect to see everything from murals and sculptures by local artists to performance spaces, pop-up markets, food vendors, cultural festivals, and educational storytelling about LA's diverse history. The goal is to make the trail a dynamic and ever-changing destination.

The Festival Trail is designed to be a permanent civic asset. The community programming and maintenance will continue, ensuring it remains a vibrant, green, and connected corridor for all Angelenos to enjoy for decades to come. The Olympics is the kickoff, not the finale.