For 35 years, Angelenos have come together to care for the River through the Great LA River CleanUp. What began as a grassroots effort has grown into the largest urban river cleanup in the country, powered by thousands of volunteers each year.
In 2025, CleanUp will span four sites across two weekends, giving everyone a chance to pitch in. Each site is a living part of the River’s ecosystem and picking up trash there helps to restore habitat, improve water quality, and protect wildlife that depend on the River.
Saturday, October 11th
Site 1: Willow St. Bridge
Join us under the Willow Street Bridge, where the River widens into a channel framed by concrete banks yet still lined with willows, cattails, and the calls of waterbirds. This stretch of the Lower River shows how much life endures in an urban waterway. Together we’ll roll up our sleeves to clear trash and debris, creating more space for plants and wildlife to thrive and helping Long Beach communities stay connected to their River.
Site 2: Bond Park
Bond Park sits alongside a rare soft-bottom stretch of the River, flowing right next to one of L.A.’s most beloved green spaces. Here, cottonwoods and sycamores provide shade along the banks, and the soft-bottom channel supports willows and birdlife that thrive in the middle of the city. Please note: River island access at Bond Park is currently limited due to high water levels. Because of this, our efforts at this site will be focused on removing smaller pieces of trash like plastic and cigarette butts, rather than larger debris.
Saturday, October 18th
Site 1: Sepulveda Basin
Join us at the Sepulveda Basin Athletic Complex, where wide fields meet one of the most important natural stretches of the River. This soft-bottom reach is home to tall willows, herons, egrets, and countless smaller species that depend on the Basin’s wetlands. Working together, we’ll clear trash and protect this unique urban refuge, helping ensure that the River’s wildlife and the communities who come here to play, walk, and gather can share a cleaner, healthier space.
Site 2: Compton Creek
Compton Creek flows quietly through the heart of the city, and it’s one of the easiest cleanup sites to reach: just steps from the Metro A Line.
Along its banks, cattails and willows give shelter to birds and create space for nature to persist. Joining the cleanup here means giving new life to a place that blends accessibility, community, and ecology.
Want to do more than pick up trash? Join the River Crew and help facilitate the Great LA River CleanUp!
From welcoming participants to guiding groups at each site, our volunteer crew makes the day run smoothly and keeps the River at the heart of the action. It’s a fun way to meet new people, give back, and be part of the team that makes this community tradition possible.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register online? Do I need to register my children?
Do I need to donate to participate?
What does FoLAR provide and what should I bring?
Is it safe to clean the River?
How long does Cleanup last?
What if it rains?
Can my company sponsor the CleanUp?
What if I have a question I don't see answered here?
