Dog park coming to Echo Park Lake adjacent lot… or is it?

Photo courtesy of Josh Anderson

According to some flyers and a new banner posted at a vacant lot near Echo Park Lake, the neighborhood is getting a dog park. Mayyyyybe.

A quick call to the community relations office of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, which is clearly listed on the banner in the photo above, and it turns out they are not putting up a dog park on Echo Park Avenue near Laguna Avenue, or anywhere for that matter.

“The idea had been floated at one time,” said Canon for Community Relations Bob Williams, ”but the Diocese has no intention of putting in a dog park.”

So who is really behind the “Coming soon” banners and flyers?

Echo Park Art Walk map!

Click for map

Today is the 4th annual Echo Park Art Walk!

Starting at noon today, there will be art exhibits, sidewalk chalk, workshops, kids activities, live music, food, special discounts in stores, and live performance art all over Echo Park.

Additionally, this year Art Needs Freedom is collaborating with Elysian Heights Elementary School, so there will be a lot of stuff going on there!

So much great stuff going on – the map is dizzying! Click here to download your own map of the festivities.

See you there!

Echo Park Lake getting greener

Spring brings many shades of green and other colors to the landscape of Echo Park, but in the nearly two years that Echo Park Lake has been under construction there’s been a lot more dirt and a lot less green.

That is, until last week. Last week workers started laying sod along the west end of the lake, a welcome site for those of us anxious for the lake’s reopening next month.

In addition to the sod, you’ll also notice the lotus leaves starting to pop up just above the water level. Although they might not blossom until next year, there are some blossoming water lilies on the east side of the lake that are adding some more color to the landscape.

h/t Above the Lake

Will street vendors return to Echo Park Lake?

Swap meet vendors back in 2010

Before Echo Park Lake was drained, before the gates went up around its perimeters, the lake wasn’t just a hub for families and picnickers to enjoy. Sunday afternoons were often host to street vendors on the grass alongside the sidewalk, wrapping around the entire northern section of the park. While many enjoyed shopping for a variety of new and used items, others found the vendors to be invasive, taking over valued park space and leaving loads of litter behind.

The mass of street vendors wasn’t just an issue at Echo Park Lake, it’s all over the city. Today, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors is reviewing a motion to strengthen the crack-down on street vendors, which are, after all, illegal. But it’s also more than just about the legality – it’s an enforcement issue, a race and class issue, a tax issue, and a business issue. At Echo Park Lake, it also became a safety/crime issue as witnesses have reported seeing armed men portioning out and selling spaces for $20-40 the night before.

The proposal wouldn’t affect the occasional yard sale, but specifically addresses illegal street vendors including those bacon-wrapped hot dogs and pushcarts.

With Echo Park Lake re-opening in mid-May, the question is: Will the street vendors return, and will the city crack down on the activity if they do?

Related articles:

• “Police try a new strategy to sweep out Echo Park Lake swap meet vendors.” August 8, 2010, The Eastsider LA
• “Vendors at Echo Park Lake get the boot.” August 1, 2010, Echo Park Now
• “The many facets of the Echo Park Lake swap meet.: March 24, 1010, Echo Park Now

Echo Park beautification project meeting on Tuesday

Residents should attend a meeting on the Sunset Boulevard beautification project on Tuesday, April 9 at 6:30 pm.

This is your chance to learn about the $750,000 beautification project that stretches along the main drag in Echo Park. Plans include pocket parks, tree planting, and even hitching posts on Alvarado and Sunset.

Sunset Blvd. Streetscape Beautification Project Meeting

Tuesday, April 9, 2013
6:30 – 7:30 pm

Edendale Library – Community Room
2011 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026

See you there!

Opening Day and more Dodgers news

The new Dodgers season is upon us!

For Echo Parkians, however, baseball season is bittersweet. It’s GREAT to be able to walk to the games and we love being Dodgers fan, but the traffic and the noise and fighting for a seat at the sports bars before the game…. Well, it can get a little hectic.

Opening Day

Opening Day is the worst. So prepare yourself. On Monday, April 1 the Dodgers take on the San Francisco Giants once again. Here are some details for opening day:

• Pregame ceremony starts at 12:10 pm and will include a one minute fireworks display at 1:00 pm
• Parking gates and stadium gates will open at 10:00 am
• Street closures are as follows: Scott Avenue between Stadium Way & North Boylston Street; North Boylston between Academy & Stadium Way; Lilac Terrace between Stadium Way & Lookout to Stadium
• The a-frame signs (“Local Access Only”) will be placed throughout the neighborhood
• Early LADOT staffing at Sunset/Elysian Park & Academy/Golden State Gate C areas
• Police officers will be monitoring all activity with a zero tolerance policy in mind
• Scott Avenue gate will be open on opening day, but for exit traffic only

Report any non-emergency security concerns to our Neighborhood Focus line at (323) 224-2636.

Stadium Renovations

There have been a lot of changes at the Stadium, including installation of a sophisticated wi-fi network (YES!), a new clubhouse, and new “amenities” on all levels (we think that means restrooms).

All the renovations will debut at tonight’s Exhibition Game versus the Angels, which starts at 7:10 pm.

Craft Beer!

Admittedly the most exciting rumor circulating around Twitter isn’t the renovated restrooms (although that’s awesome). It’s the BEER! Word is Golden Road Brewing will be on tap, finally introducing craft beer to the craft services at the stadium (by the way, Shock Top is not craft beer).

With the growing craft brewery scene in Los Angeles, we hope this is just a starting point for Dodger Stadium to start supporting local craft beer. We’ll toast to that!

This should be an exciting year – with all the roster changes, fans are hoping this will be a winning year and the high ticket sales are reflecting just that. See you at the stadium!