Frogtown

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Frogtown along the Los Angeles River

This area got its name from the many frogs who used to live here. However most of the frogs (actually Western toads) are gone now. But considering that this location is in the middle of the Los Angeles "rust belt", there is still plenty of wildlife here. According to Kimball Garrett fo the Los Angeles County Museum, over 125 species of birds have been sighted here. This is the southern boundary fo the sandy bottom section that began near Griffith Park. The 5 Freeway crosses the river again at this point and the bottom becomes concrete once more. This area is also known as Taylor Yard. The defunct Southern Pacific railyard now houses a Metro rail facility. During a winter storm most of these plants are completely covered in water.

The popular view is that the toads decreased when the concrete channel was poured. However, Christopher Richard, Curator of Aquatic Biology at the Oakland Museum of California, suggests another possiblity. During the 1960s there was an abundance of toads when the water flow was lower, and contained poorly-treated waste water. Yet this area had been channelized for several decades. Richard suggests that the subsequent addition of better-treated water by the DWP allowed for the return of predators such as non-native crayfish and herons. He states, "This change also correlates with the colonization by willow groves, arundo thickets, carp, and herons". So possibly cleaner, more abundant water and more predators reduced the toad population.28

Taylor yard is one of the most promising areas for community redevelopment and recreation along the river. Proposals include a plan for a new park along the river with shops, resturants, and a hotel. Several acres are available for incorporating redevelopment and open space. Friends of the Los Angeles River hopes that community input will help create a project that meets more community needs than just moving water quickly to the ocean. Many local students participate in FoLAR's annual river clean up.
Taylor Yard overpass

A concrete floor is again in place as the water flows under the 110 freeway and south towards downtown Los Angeles and the convergence of the Arroyo Seco.
Taylor Yard bridge Within a mile or two the river channel will pass the location where spanish explorers first recorded the river in 1769 and eventually established a community there. Two hundred years later, this area is an industrial urban center and transportation hub. Bridges were first built over the river in the 1920s and 30s to meet increased auto congestion in the growing downtown area. These bridges preserve part of Los Angeles' architectual history. For more information and photos of this area, see LA River Railroads.

Continue the tour here.So batten down your hard drives and cover your keyboards. The adventures of the urban river awaits you. Good Luck and remember, don't drink the water!

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