Mary Benson is vying for LA City Council District 2 in the September 22nd Special Election.
Mary is the founder and CEO of the Los Angeles Trails Project (part of the National Heritage Foundation a 501c3). Mary is also a member of the Upper Los Angeles River Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) Steering Committee.
She graduated from CSUN with a BS in Business Administration and is a Former Vice President for the Sun Valley Neighborhood Council and the Treasurer of the Foothill Trails District Neighborhood Council, both in Council District 2.
The Los Angeles Trails Project is currently working on the Rim of the Valley (ROV) through a Technical Assistance Grant from the National Parks Service: Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance unit.
Mary is also advocating the incorporation of the ROV into the 'mobility element' of the L.A. City's General Plan. In May 2008 Mary joined Congressman Adam Schiff to celebrate the passage of federal legislation to study Rim of the Valley resource.
Mary is a 3rd generation Angelino, and became active in trail issues to preserve access and right of way for completion of the trails in the face of open space loss due to residential development. In her work for the Los Angeles Trails Project, she helps coordinate between multiple jurisdictions and is involved in water, land use, planning and development, and environment issues.