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And when you hear that, you might find yourself asking which Realtor came up with that ranking. Luckily, this time there is some creditability behind the designation: the American Planning Association. They "singled out Echo Park because of its breathtaking topography set in the hills above downtown, historic architecture, pedestrian-oriented streets and stairways, and engaged residents who, over the years, have gone to great lengths to protect and preserve their community," according to an APA release (add: their website has more info and history on why EP was chosen) .
APA Executive Director Paul Farmer said "the neighborhood has a long history of citizen activism that has inspired not only spirited public debate, but also committed and motivated residents who are helping to keep Echo Park a great place to live."
But activism and engagement isn't the only theme here. Festivals, classy dining alongside "spectacular burrito stands," a diversity of ethnic groups and income levels and great architecture such as craftsman-style and modern homes all add to Echo Park's great neighborhoodieness. Below are the two press releases sent out, one for Echo Park, the other announcing the other cities.
Echo Park Named One of Top 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2008Los Angeles, CA, October 8, 2008 — The American Planning Association (APA) announced today that Echo Park has been designated one of 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2008 through APA’s Great Places in America program. APA Great Places is a national program that exemplifies communities with exceptional character and highlights the role that planning plays in creating communities of lasting value. Echo Park is a 120 year old, walkable Los Angeles community just west of Downtown. An Acceptance Ceremony will be Held on October 8th at 8:30 AM at Echo Park Lake.
Echo Park is a diverse community home to working class families and blossoming artists, and has had to work twice as hard as other communities to create, maintain and advocate for their great community. The community is remarkably dynamic with countless ethnic groups at all income levels. Today, Echo Park is home not only to the annual Lotus Festival, the Cuban Festival, and historic Filipinotown but also 4-star dining alongside spectacular burrito stands. The area features perfectly preserved craftsman-style homes, as well as modern architecture, great schools, parks and libraries.
Los Angeles urban planners have navigated issues of affordability and gentrification, historic preservation and pedestrian safety while guiding Echo Park’s growth and development. APA has singled out Echo Park because of its breathtaking topography set in the hills above downtown, historic architecture, pedestrian-oriented streets and stairways, and engaged residents who, over the years, have gone to great lengths to protect and preserve their community.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa explained, “for generations people have come to Echo Park, raised their families, started vibrant businesses, and given back to the neighborhood and the city as a whole. Today kids, parents, and grandparents representing numerous backgrounds and cultures come together in Echo Park, making this community an outstanding example of the great neighborhoods found throughout Los Angeles.”
“We’re excited to select Echo Park as one of this year’s Great Neighborhoods,” said APA Executive Director Paul Farmer, FAICP. “The neighborhood has a long history of citizen activism that has inspired not only spirited public debate, but also committed and motivated residents who are helping to keep Echo Park a great place to live,” he said.
APA Great Places are neighborhoods where people want to be – not only to visit, but to live and work every day.
About the American Planning Association – Los Angeles Section
American Planning Association – Los Angeles Section (APA LA) is one of eight local sections of APA’s California Chapter. Comprised of more than 2,000 members in the Los Angeles region, APA LA brings local APA members together to share information and resources that make our communities stronger and healthier. APA LA sponsors a number of professional, educational and social events throughout the year.
American Planners Recognize 30 of the Country'sGreat Neighborhoods, Streets and Public Spaces
Washington, DC, October 8, 2008– The American Planning Association (APA) announced today the country's 10 Great Neighborhoods, 10 Great Streets and 10 Great Public Spaces that have been singled out for 2008 through the organization’s Great Places in America national program. Launched in 2007, Great Places in America is APA’s flagship program celebrating places of exemplary character, quality, and planning. Places are selected annually and represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement, and a vision for tomorrow.
“From U.S. border towns to Society Hill in Philadelphia to some of the oldest streets in America, a wonderful diversity of places from across the United States are represented by this year’s designees,” said APA Executive Director Paul Farmer, FAICP.
“We’re honored to recognize the spirit and fortitude of the civic leaders and residents of these communities whose efforts show you do not have to level a neighborhood in order to spur urban renewal,” he continued. “These Great Places are shining examples of planning at its best, when revitalization includes affordable housing, strengthens local economies, and puts green and sustainable ideas into action,” Farmer said.
APA Great Places offer better choices for where and how people work and live. They are enjoyable, safe, and desirable. They are places where people want to be — not only to visit, but to live and work every day. America's truly great streets, neighborhoods and public spaces are defined by many unique criteria, including architectural features, accessibility, functionality, and community involvement. Through Great Places in America, APA recognizes the unique and authentic attributes of essential building blocks of great communities — streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces.
The designees of Great Places in America 2008 are not ranked, but listed alphabetically. They are located in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Additional details about each designee are available at www.planning.org/greatplaces/.
2008 Great Neighborhoods in America
* Charles Village (Baltimore, MD)
* Downtown Salem (Salem, MA)
* Downtown Sheridan (Sheridan, WY)
* Echo Park (Los Angeles, CA)
* Greater Park Hill (Denver, CO)
* Greater University Hill (Syracuse, NY)
* North End (Boise, ID)
* Old Town (Wichita, KS)
* Society Hill (Philadelphia, PA)
* Village of Mariemont (Mariemont, OH)
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Aww, they named Sheridan, too. Such a beautiful place.
Ughhh, really? Then why am I still scared to walk my dog at night past 10:00?
I hear Santa Monica is pretty safe...
I miss Echo Park. I had to move out of my rented house (of four years) by the lake last year due to a roommate situation and I cast my lot in with the moneyed hipsters around the Sunset Junction. Sure, being able to walk to Intelligentsia is great, but living there just feels... kinda sterile and uniform.
Echo Park feels like a neighborhood. And nothing beats seeing the street-lights reflected in the lake at night.
Go Ducks!
CityofDodgers: because you're a moron? What are you afraid of--hipsters? Get over yourself and walk your dog.
right on, elmer, but don't give it away. i'd prefer if the clueless bougies who are too scared to venture east of fairfax stayed that way.
the echo park lake is top on my list.
Echo Park is a 120 year old, walkable Los Angeles community just west of Downtown.
Uh, west? Then how was I able to watch the sun set behind the LA skyline from the balcony of my Echo Park house? Or when they say 'Downtown' are they referring to Dodger Stadium?
put down the crack pipe and pick up a map, jeffro.
Well Elmer, that is definitely a possibility and I refuse to refute that. However, talk to me once you've been followed, chased, and mugged...douchebag.
It being the eve of Yom Kippur and all, I'd like to take back calling you a douche bag, Elmer, and extend it to Riley as well. You two are probably not douchebags. I admire your collective civic pride. Im not gonna say I hope your house gets burglarized because I kinda-sorta-a-little believe in karma...but let's just say I wouldn't mind if either of you got robbed on your way to Bootie LA. Hopefully you're wearing something tight fitting and bootylicious! Mwah!
City Of Dodgers:
I guess you might as well include me in the douche bag list.
I feel totally safe in echo park , ive been mugged before , guess where Beverly and Doheny goes by the name beverly hills.
Echo park say 15 years ago was pretty sketch but with the whole artist/gay/hipster community that changed the flow of the area I would say that echo park and silverlake are safe now.
So go walk your dog you will be fine.
buy some mase if your feel the need.
echo park the music scene at night the geat resturaunts why do you think american apparel first store ever is located in echo park
Don't forget!
Elliott Smith stabbed himself to death nearby!
I just like the lake and its close to Dodger Stadium... I would be there in a minute! Better than the Valley. *sigh*
Echo Park may be a lot safer than it was 5,10 years ago but as is most neighborhoods there are definatley some sketch areas. I feel safe in most places there but there are some parts I am inclined to be a bit more vigilant in than other others, and some I would avoid on a late night stroll home. So yeah.. all you morons and douchebags, its a pretty stupid thing to throw names about, I thinks.
anyways, kind of cool to see echo park in one of these best of deals...
um yeah, definitely
now now kiddies. i agree with riley; if you don't appreciate the 'hood, maybe you shouldn't be there. i totally love echo park.
in my experience, typically, the sketchy people, you know, the ones that mug and terrorize people, tend to be in better known neighborhoods.
so, do us all a favor and spread the word that echo park is totally sketchy...we don't want the best-kept-secret to get out!
"in my experience, typically, the sketchy people, you know, the ones that mug and terrorize people, tend to be in better known neighborhoods."
comments like yours (and several others here) tend to come from people with limited experience who couldn't find compton with a gps unit (or at least not until the area gentrifies enough to alter the the current culture).
but i'll agree with you on this: the "sketchy people" sure are in better known neighborhoods (if by "better known" you mean affluent). they're the fuckers that just got a 700 billion dollar bailout...
jk77, what i meant by "better known neighborhoods" and "sketchy people" meant...people who mug and terrorize aren't interested in hidden secrets like echo park.
they will get their money's worth by heading over to hollywood! and, for your information, I have lived on 4 different continents and 5 different cities all over so. cal so stick that in your pipe and smoke it.
so, please don't get so defensive and claim to know so much because i was obviously defending echo park. and for your information, I went to high school right next to compton and also lived in Long Beach for YEARS.
please be careful when you make very general comments like those because you really, often times, do not know who you're being rude to.
while i understand taking things personally to an extent, you took my one remark so personally that you missed my entire point. i did not, as you suggest, "claim to know so much." unlike yourself, i have not been privileged to life all over the globe. rather, i've lived in underresourced neighborhoods for most of my life, and it amazes me how many people are naive to their realities, particularly of those still gentrifying. this was the context of my comment about "limited experience" - not life experience, but experience living in neighborhoods like mine. in all of your many traverses, having been privy to life on four different continents, surely you know what i'm talking about.
i have to say though, for as defensive (there's that word again) as your response was - that last sentence, the one almost threatening in its tone, was more than a bit over the top. really.
look at that. comments are the new forums.