Projects
Rory M. Shaw Wetlands Park Project
Sun Valley is a neighborhood brimming with heart, culture, and promise – despite years of being overlooked, its residents have always believed in the power of community action to make a difference. From local families to passionate volunteers, Sun Valley brings together countless voices eager to reclaim their neighborhood and create something beautiful for generations to come.
One dream that’s inspiring neighbors is the transformation of an old landfill into the Rory Shaw Wetlands Park. This much-anticipated project will mean more than just green space – it will become a place for children to explore, for friends to gather, and for wildlife to thrive, all while protecting homes from flooding and keeping local water cleaner. The community’s relentless advocacy reminds everyone that Sun Valley deserves not just safety, but vibrant places to play and connect.
Sun Valley Watershed Project
The Sun Valley Watershed Project stands as a transformative model of community-driven environmental restoration in Los Angeles. Conceived to tackle dangerous flooding, endemic pollution, and the lack of recreational spaces in Sun Valley – a historically marginalized community – the project demonstrates how collaboration and innovation can deliver hope and a healthier future.
The Vision for Sun Valley
The watershed project covers approximately 2,800 acres, aiming to solve flooding problems while enhancing water quality, boosting local groundwater recharge, and creating new green spaces for recreation and wildlife. The last – and most ambitious – component is the Rory M. Shaw Wetlands Park Project, a plan to convert a 46-acre engineered, inert landfill into a thriving wetland and community park.
What Rory Shaw Park Means for Sun Valley
The watershed project covers approximately 2,800 acres, aiming to solve flooding problems while enhancing water quality, boosting local groundwater recharge, and creating new green spaces for recreation and wildlife. The last – and most ambitious – component is the Rory M. Shaw Wetlands Park Project, a plan to convert a 46-acre engineered, inert landfill into a thriving wetland and community park.
Fig. 3 Rendering from Los Angeles Public Works
Fig.4 Rendering from Los Angeles Public Works
Longstanding Challenges
Sun Valley’s challenges range from chronic flooding aggravated by industrial runoff and climate change to scarcity of public parks and a legacy of environmental neglect. Historically, underinvestment has left streets vulnerable and families exposed to health risks. The Rory Shaw project itself has faced technical hurdles, including the need to excavate hazardous landfill debris and redesign plans after discovering methane-producing materials. These complexities have added years of delay.
Fig. 5 Flooding in Public Streets
The Funding Struggle
Perhaps the greatest roadblock for Rory Shaw Wetlands Park has been funding. As inflation and construction costs have skyrocketed, the estimated budget grew to over $200 million, leaving a gap of about $180–212 million. Despite $17.8 million from L.A. City’s Prop O Clean Water bond and $10 million from the Safe Clean Water Program, progress remains slow, with critical funding shortfalls causing further delays. Community frustration has mounted as these gaps persist, complicated by changing cost estimates and project scope.
TCCI’s Relentless Commitment
Through every setback, The Climate Corps Initiative (TCCI), alongside Los Angeles County Public Works, has remained unwavering in its fight for the Rory Shaw Wetlands Park. TCCI convenes public forums, advocates for transparent funding updates, and mobilizes local support to remind policymakers of the project’s urgency. Their ongoing partnership with Public Works, despite bureaucratic obstacles and limited resources, illustrates the power of grassroots commitment and government collaboration in turning vision into reality.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s office has acted swiftly in 2025, collaborating with TCCI to advance interim maintenance at the future Rory Shaw Wetlands Park site – even as delays and funding gaps persist. Thanks to TCCI’s dedicated advocacy for community beautification and environmental justice, Horvath’s office secured over $5 million in county funding for urgent upgrades, including robust steel fencing, slope mesh, new native landscaping, and 90 young shade trees around the site’s perimeter.
These interim improvements ensure the area remains safe and visually appealing while larger construction is still pending. Work has included foundation strength testing, installation and inspection of irrigation lines, and strategic plantings along key neighborhood frontages – all completed in transparent partnership with local residents and the Sun Valley Area Neighborhood Council.
The relentless commitment of TCCI has kept momentum alive, pushing for tangible action where it matters most. By collaborating with Los Angeles County Public Works and staying firmly engaged with the community, TCCI and Supervisor Horvath’s office have made it clear that Sun Valley’s dreams for the Rory Shaw Wetlands Park will not be forgotten. These interim steps reflect a promise: no challenge is too great when neighbors and leaders work together for a healthier, greener, and more just Sun Valley
The Rory Shaw Wetlands Park Project embodies Sun Valley’s determination to shape a brighter future – one where families thrive, green spaces flourish, and environmental healing uplifts everyone. Completing this project will not only address the challenges of flooding and pollution but also stand as a lasting testament to community resilience and hope.
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Our Programs and Initiatives
At The Climate Corps Initiative (TCCI), our programs are designed to address the unique environmental, health, and social challenges faced by disadvantaged communities of color in Los Angeles county, beginning with Sun Valley. We focus on targeted, transformative action driven by those who live in and deeply understand the neighborhoods we serve.
Green Spaces for All
Environmental Health & Safety Advocacy
Youth Leadership & Nature Access
Community Engagement & Empowerment
Policy Reform &
Collaboration
Our Programs and Initiatives
At The Climate Corps Initiative (TCCI), our programs are designed to address the unique environmental, health, and social challenges faced by disadvantaged communities of color in Los Angeles county, beginning with Sun Valley. We focus on targeted, transformative action driven by those who live in and deeply understand the neighborhoods we serve.
Green Spaces for All
We lead initiatives to reclaim and transform underused lots, asphalt playgrounds, and neglected open spaces into vibrant community parks, gardens, and urban forests. Partnering with local residents and schools, we design accessible outdoor spaces that serve as safe havens for play, relaxation, and community events. These green spaces improve air quality, reduce urban heat, and create opportunities for recreation and education.
Environmental Health & Safety Advocacy
TCCI actively champions policies and practices that reduce exposure to toxins, industrial pollution, and unsafe living conditions. We provide resources, training, and workshops on air quality monitoring, environmental hazards, and tenants’ rights. Our advocacy extends from block-level campaigns to city hall, demanding accountability, transparency, and stronger safeguards for our neighborhoods.
Youth Leadership & Nature Access
Our youth programs connect children and teens to the natural world through outdoor education, field trips to local parks, mentorships, and hands-on stewardship projects. We work with schools and after-school programs to build lifelong environmental curiosity, leadership skills, and career pathways in sustainability.
Community Engagement & Empowerment
We organize forums, listening sessions, and public meetings that put community voices at the forefront of decision-making. Residents are empowered to set priorities, co-design solutions, and advocate for just policies. We support grassroots leadership, ensuring those historically excluded have a seat at every table where their futures are shaped.
Policy Reform & Collaboration
TCCI builds coalitions with other nonprofits, public agencies, and local businesses to drive policy change that benefits disadvantaged neighborhoods. We fight for improved access to clean air, safe water, sustainable transportation, and resilient infrastructure, creating systems-level change for lasting equity. Everything we do is rooted in community collaboration, environmental justice, and a relentless pursuit of dignity and opportunity for all.
