New website launched for the Echo Park Lake rehab project

The Department of Public Works just announced the launch of a new website, www.echoparklake.org, specifically for the upcoming Echo Park Lake rehabilitation project, scheduled to start later this summer. There’s a photo gallery (before and after shots), updated news, and contact information as well as resource links. The website purpose will hopefully serve the community by updating everyone on the project before, during and after. According to the website:

The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works project team is committed to keeping the community updated on the latest information about the Echo Park Lake Rehabilitation project. We encourage you to bookmark this page, and tell your neighbors about it! It’s the easiest way to know what’s going on with the City’s plans to improve and beautify the lake. You can also submit your questions about the lake improvements to the project team at bpw.pao@lacity.org. We will do our best to respond to you as soon as possible.

The week after the Lotus Festival (July 9-10, 2011), the 18-24 month construction will begin. There wasn’t a whole lot of specific information being circulated about the final project details, but we knew a few Echo Park residents/Echo Park Improvement Association members (Echo Park Now is also a member) had been meeting with the Bureau of Engineering project managers and CD13 reps to hammer out those final details. The EPIA’s June-July 2011 newsletter, EPIAn Ways, actually just published a nice, comprehensive article about the rehabilitation project. Here’s an excerpt from that article with details about the project:

How will the entire Lake environment (including the surrounding park) be changed? Some of the key elements are:

• The lake will be drained and a new lake liner will be installed.
• A new lake outlet will be constructed.
• Wetlands areas will be constructed to help achieve water quality.
• A new recirculation pump and piping system will be constructed to circulate lake water. The existing pump on the peninsula will be relocated and the Lady of the Lake will be installed in her historic spot on the peninsula.
• Aquatic emergent plants will be placed at various points along the Lake edge.
• Other improvements will also be made to areas adjacent to the Lake edge.
• The existing asphalt pathway around the perimeter of the lake will be replaced with pervious materials.
• Hydrodynamic separators will be constructed in the existing storm drain system to remove trash and debris.
• New informational signage is planned that will give park-goers details about the park’s flora and fauna.
• The lotus pond will be replanted.

What changes will you see during construction?

• The entire area surrounding the lake will be closed to the public during the construction period. The Recreation Center, tennis courts and playing fields will remain in operation.
• For the benefit of domestic and wild birds, four temporary ponds will be constructed – two on the island, one at the north end of the park, and one on the east side of the park.

You will also see the boat house being renovated, but this is a separate project.

Click here to view a digital copy of the EPIAn Ways newsletter.
There will be a community meeting on July 20, 2011 about the rehab project, at St. Paul’s Cathedral located at 840 Echo Park Avenue starting a 6:00 pm.