Downey awarded $5.4 million for stormwater capture project at Furman Park

DOWNEY — The City of Downey has been awarded more than $5.4 million from Los Angeles County’s Safe, Clean Water Program to fund a major stormwater capture and infiltration project at Furman Park.

The project, announced this week by Supervisor Janice Hahn, is one of six Fourth District projects receiving a combined $24 million in Measure W grants to improve regional stormwater management and increase local water supplies. Other grant recipients include Long Beach, Lynwood, Norwalk, Paramount, and Signal Hill.

“These projects are investments in the future of LA County,” said Hahn. “Not only will they allow us to capture, treat, and reuse millions more gallons of water, but they also give us an opportunity to improve our parks and make our green spaces more resilient for generations to come.”

Downey’s Furman Park Stormwater Capture and Infiltration Project will include an underground stormwater storage and treatment facility designed to collect runoff from nearby storm drains, remove pollutants, and allow water to percolate back into the Central Basin aquifer. Located within the Montebello Forebay area, the system has the potential to recharge up to 577 acre-feet of water per year—enough to supply hundreds of local homes.

Beyond its environmental benefits, the project will enhance community amenities at Furman Park. Plans call for upgraded baseball fields, new exercise equipment, and irrigation lines connected to recycled water. A bird and butterfly garden, along with additional native landscaping, will provide educational and environmental benefits while reducing the heat-island effect.

The City of Downey is contributing $2 million in municipal funds toward the estimated $14.3 million project. The effort builds upon prior improvements at Furman Park funded through Measure S, which included new turf, playground upgrades, and bioswale installations completed in 2020.

Other Measure W recipients in Hahn’s district include:

Norwalk – $7.26 million for stormwater improvements at Hermosillo Park.

Paramount – $5.41 million for Spane Park stormwater capture and infiltration.

Long Beach – $2.96 million for the LB-MUST Phase 2 project.

Signal Hill – $1.92 million for Reservoir Park stormwater filtration.

Lynwood – $1.25 million for the Lynwood City Park Stormwater Capture Project.

Approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors on Nov. 4, the Fiscal Year 2025–26 Stormwater Investment Plan allocates Measure W funds to projects that improve water quality, increase drought resilience, and upgrade public spaces across Los Angeles County.