The city of Los Angeles is taking steps to rid the L.A. River of squatters, a move applauded by many in the movement to revitalize the river into an attractive recreational site. But some of those squatters are reluctant to leave the homes they've maintained for years in the brush of small islands on some of the river's few stretches of earthen riverbed.
"For river advocates, the campers are a nuisance and another obstacle in an ambitious revitalization plan aimed at transforming the river from 'a cement-lined ditch' into a recreational mecca."
"The city's hope is to clean up the river and develop a series of parks, bike paths and bridges over the next 20 years along key stretches of the channel that extend from Canoga Park to Boyle Heights. Last month, officials identified five sites for future development."
