Although these areas are not technically hillside communities, they form the connections to the surrounding hillsides by way of geography and architectural merit. These neighborhoods are peppered with Spanish and Craftsman architectural gems. Most of the homes are smaller in size with much of their original character intact. The communities of Elysian Valley and Atwater are divided by the Los Angeles River. There is a river project underway that will unite the communities and create a destination spot for biking, walking and family based recreational outlets that will positively impact quality of life for residents. Elysian Valley has a commercial and arts district that follows the river’s path and will continue to expand as the river project is implemented. Atwater’s commercial district along Los Feliz Blvd., Glendale Blvd. and Fletcher has seen a recent expansion of eateries and quirky specialty shops.