Phase One: Ready for the LA28 Olympics

Phase One: Ready for the LA28 Olympics

Aerial view of a scenic park with water, greenery, and buildings under a clear sky.

Instead of the Hollywood sign and palm trees, the location of 2028 Olympic events in Lake Balboa Park presents Los Angeles with an opportunity to celebrate its Indigenous peoples and the land on which it sits. To do this, we propose the following initiatives – led by Alan Salazar, a Tataviam and Chumash Tribal Elder, Julia Samaniego, a native plant expert and member of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians (FTBMI), and Claudia Serrato, an Indigenous chef.

Save, Relocate & Plant 200 Mature Oak Trees

  • Cost Estimate: $4,200,000 (including 12 months of maintenance prior to planting)
  • Location: see #15 in the site plan below
  • Description: We have been offered the opportunity to secure 200 Coast Live Oak trees. Imagine the beauty they would bring to our project, in addition to a cooling shade. The trees are currently on land previously occupied by a nursery in Ventura County and some are more than 15’ high. A specialist tree removal company (Environmental Design) has provided a quotation to transport and replant them in Lake Balboa Park and in the Wildlife Reserve.

Native American Model Village

  • Cost Estimate: $1,200,000
  • Size & Location: 0.5 acres – see #5 in the site plan below
  • Description: The model village will provide visitors with a glimpse of what life was like for the original inhabitants of the Sepulveda Basin in pre-colonial times.

Native Plant Nursery

  • Cost Estimate: $1,380,000
  • Size & Location: 1.3 acres – see #9 in the site plan below
  • Description: A 50 foot wide strip of land suited to different types of plant propagation and a wide variety of micro climates – full sun, shade, ample water, little water – to propagate Native plant species that were found in the Sepulveda Basin in pre-colonial times to support a wide range of plants used for food, medicine, baskets, reed canoes and other essentials of life.

Native American Food Concession

  • Cost Estimate: $150,000
  • Location: see #14 in the site plan below
  • Description: A pop-up featuring range of Indigenous “fast foods”, including plant based and meat & fish dishes – a “taste of place” reflecting locally available ingredients and cuisine prepared by the Indigenous communities of Los Angeles, before colonization.
25-0421 LAKE BALBOA SITE PLAN PHASE 1_EDIT

In addition to the Oak trees and the Native Plant Nursery & Model Native American Village, to enable easy access to the proposed Olympic venue for BMX Racing from the closest transit, we propose the following in Phase One:

  • Entry plaza with access (including ADA) to Civic Promenade (#s 2 & 3 & 4 above) – $18,000,000
  • Civic Promenade and new bridge over Bull Creek (#s 6 & 7 above) – $24,000,000
  • Bull Creek Restoration (#8 above) – $42,000,000

This additional investment would benefit the Games in the following ways:

  • Shorter pedestrian travel distance to the proposed venue for BMX Racing that’s also close to the proposed venues for BMX Freestyle, Skateboarding, 3x3 Basketball & Modern Pentathlon
  • The entry procession at the higher level is more picturesque than an approach from the east
  • Exquisite Oak groves, the Native Village, fully restored Bull Creek and a panoramic view of the Basin and mountains to the north and south from the new bridge creates a dramatic entrance for the venue
  • The new Gateway Plaza with parking below and a Pop Up Native American Food Concession provides an attractive venue for sponsored hospitality events at the Games

The entire investment will enhance visitor experience and messaging about LA’s identity, and be a gift to the people of the San Fernando Valley.