Solis Celebrates Opening of Pellissier Village Trailhead

New equestrian access point expands connectivity and recreational opportunities along the San Gabriel River.

PELLISSIER VILLAGE, Calif. — Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis on Saturday celebrated the grand opening of the new Pellissier Village Trailhead, a formalized equestrian entrance along the San Gabriel River serving the unincorporated community of Pellissier Village.

The event brought together elected officials, school leaders, community partners, and residents to mark the completion of a project that preserves the area’s equestrian traditions while expanding safe and accessible access to the regional trail network.

“The Pellissier Village Trailhead delivers on my commitment to invest in San Gabriel Valley unincorporated communities that have historically been overlooked,” said Board Chair Solis. “Equestrian traditions here are deeply rooted in family history and culture. They are a way of life. This milestone both honors that legacy and ensures greater access for everyone to enjoy these spaces.”

Located along the eastern bank of the San Gabriel River in the unincorporated community of Pellissier Village, the new trailhead near 12200 Pellissier Rd. provides improved access to the Schabarum-Skyline Trail, Blackwell Arena, and the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area Equestrian Center.

The site includes exercise pens with stabilized soil and drainage, domestic water service, a bench area, a pedestrian path, horse tie rails, a watering trough and a paved driveway apron for utility vehicle access. Interpretive signage highlights the history of Pellissier Village and the County’s broader trail system. Landscaping and tree planting are not permitted due to levee safety requirements.

The project is part of the Emerald Necklace Vision Plan, a regional effort to connect San Gabriel Valley cities, including El Monte, Baldwin Park and Whittier, with unincorporated communities like Pellissier Village through a network of parks, trails and greenways along the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel rivers. The vision extends from the mountains to the Pacific Ocean.

Chair Solis secured more than $680,000 in funding for the project through discretionary Proposition A funds and community grants. Additional support was provided by the California Conservation Corps through the Nature-Based Solutions Grant Program.

Photos available here (Credit: Chris Valle).