LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) and Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez (D-San Fernando Valley) presented a novelty check to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and local leaders. The presentation symbolized the $22 million state budget appropriation secured to support community improvements at the Sepulveda Basin, in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. Spanning more than 2,000 acres, the basin is the Valley’s largest public open space.
“Delivering for the Valley means fighting to ensure our communities get their fair share of state resources, and then turning those dollars into meaningful improvements for local families,” said Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino). “I’m proud that we secured $22 million in new funding for the Sepulveda Basin. This transformative funding will make our parks safer and more accessible, reduce wildfire risk, provide relief from extreme heat, and strengthen public safety. This investment will also deliver critical resources to LAFD to help firefighters protect our neighborhoods. Valley families deserve safe, welcoming outdoor spaces, and I’ll keep fighting to deliver the investments our community deserves.”
“We’ve delivered real progress in addressing long-standing public safety threats in the Sepulveda Basin and restoring this vital public space to Valley families,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “With the leadership of Senator Henry Stern, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez in Sacramento, and the partnership of Councilmember Imelda Padilla, the City will be able to expand these efforts with more resources and ensure future generations of Angelenos can enjoy the Sepulveda Basin.”
“This $22 million investment allows us to continue the vegetation management work that keeps the Sepulveda Basin safer for the people who use it and the neighborhoods that surround it,” said Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Robert Barna. “Vegetation grows back and conditions change, so reducing fire risk takes a consistent, long-term commitment. Together with our partners, we are improving access for our firefighters and strengthening our readiness to respond.”
This $22 million was funded through Proposition 4, the Climate Bond approved by California voters in 2024, which provides funding to help communities prepare for extreme heat, wildfire, and other climate-related risks while improving access to parks and outdoor spaces.
2025 Budget Allocation Breakdown for the Sepulveda Basin
This transformative funding will serve families across the San Fernando Valley and support improvements, including park accessibility, fire prevention, extreme heat mitigation, and public safety improvements.
| Project | Amount | Improvements |
| Balboa Sports Complex | $8 million | Heat mitigation and public safety upgrades to soccer fields, including the installation of shade structures, bleachers, fencing, and lighting |
| Hjelte Sports Complex | $4 million | Paving and facility improvement |
| Victory Boulevard Upgrades | $6 million | Installation of four permanent pedestrian crosswalks and two pedestrian stoplights to improve access into the basin |
| Los Angeles City Fire Department | $2 million | Fire mitigation and vegetation management |
| River Rangers, Chrysalis | $2 million | Supporting vegetation management conducted by the Conservation Corps |
| Total | $22 million |
What Valley Leaders Are Saying
“This $22 million investment in the Sepulveda Basin is an important step toward ensuring that San Fernando Valley residents have access to safe and welcoming public spaces. Access to nature should not be a luxury. It should be an opportunity available to everyone,” said Assistant Speaker Pro Tem Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez (D-San Fernando Valley). “That is why I am especially excited about this investment by the state, which will create lasting benefits for the entire region. I thank my colleagues and local leaders for their partnership and commitment to lifting up the Valley.”
“As a fellow park-dad who knows how important it is for our kids to have somewhere safe and cool to play, and to feel a sense of wilderness in their lives, I am so grateful to Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel for being the Basin’s greatest champion,” said Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles). “It helps that we have a Mayor who gets how important green spaces are for the Valley, and has the right people in leadership at fire, parks, and engineering to get these projects done right.”
“This funding continues our commitment to preserve our natural resources, protect our neighborhoods from wildfires, and bolster our region’s rich biodiversity,” said Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-Burbank). “Together with our community partners, we’re putting state dollars to work in our own backyard on projects that will have a lasting impact.”
“The Sepulveda Basin is an important part of the San Fernando Valley, giving families a place to enjoy the outdoors, stay active, and connect with their community. This $22 million investment will make these spaces safer, more accessible, and better equipped to withstand extreme heat and wildfire risks,” said Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Santa Clarita). “I’m thankful to Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and our partners for working together to bring these resources to the Valley and ensure our communities have the parks and public spaces to thrive.”
Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel announces state funding for Sepulveda Basin improvements at a press conference.
Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel and Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez join members of the LA Conservation Corps at a press conference on Sepulveda Basin improvements.