City workers install permanent crosswalks around West L.A. park, after outcry from residents.
(
Dañiel Martinez
/
LAist
)
Topline:
L.A. city crews on Friday started repainting a set of crosswalks around the popular Stoner Park that residents had painted themselves months ago — only to be promptly scrubbed off.
Why now: The move came exactly one week after the Department of Transportation removed a set of unsanctioned crosswalks painted by community members led by Sawtelle resident Jonathan Hale, who said the intersections are too dangerous for pedestrians and kids who frequent the popular park and its many amenities.
Read on ... for local reaction and see photos of the permanent crosswalks.
L.A. city crews on Friday started repainting a set of crosswalks around the popular Stoner Park that residents had painted themselves months ago — only to be promptly scrubbed off.
A week ago, the Department of Transportation removed a set of unsanctioned crosswalks painted by community members led by Sawtelle resident Jonathan Hale, who said the intersections are too dangerous for pedestrians and kids who frequent the popular park and its many amenities.
Hale was on hand as crews began work on Friday. In late May, he had gathered a group of friends and neighbors to first put in the DIY crosswalks after learning the ropes from the organization Crosswalks Collective LA.
Listen
• 1:37
City repaints DIY crosswalks around West LA park, one week after outcry from residents
"I'm really excited," Hale said. "Also, hey, it's a win, you know, I'm really proud."
After DIY crosswalks were removed last Friday, Hale contacted the city and the Department of Transportation to make his case — and vowed to repaint them again.
Councilmember Traci Park also told LAist she had asked the city to keep the unsanctioned crosswalks, without success.
Sawtelle resident Jonathan Hale, who led the community effort to get crosswalks installed around Stoner Park in West L.A. He showed up on Friday morning as city workers put in permanent crossings.
(
Dañiel Martinez
/
LAist
)
On Thursday, Hale told LAist he got a call from that the city saying permanent crosswalks would be installed.
"I've been kind of communicating with the DOT, and then the mayor's office reached out to me yesterday, basically saying that they would make these changes," Hale said.
In addition, he said the city has agreed to meet with the community to take questions about infrastructure needs.
City workers at an intersection around Stoner Park in West L.A. on Friday morning, getting ready to install permanent crosswalks.
(
Dañiel Martinez
/
LAist
)
A Bobcat loader is readying an intersection around Stoner Park in West L.A. to install permanent crosswalks.
(
Dañiel Martinez
/
LAist
)
As to why the city removed the unsanctioned crosswalks in the first place, Hale said he finally found out from the city.
"The first is liability," Hale said. "Having markings at the crosswalk makes it more dangerous because it invites pedestrians to cross the street."
Another reason? Hale said city officials told him that in order to put in the crosswalks, they'd need to renovate the sidewalks to be ADA compliant.
“The City of Los Angeles is installing crosswalks near Stoner Park in West L.A. this morning and sidewalk improvements will be installed in the coming weeks,” the office of L.A. Mayor Karen Bass told LAist in a statement. "The installation of the crosswalk by LADOT ensures that the crosswalk meets all legal safety requirements.”
No word on why they decided to restore the crosswalks.
West L.A. resident Minal Mehta was thrilled about the turn of events. She said she and her children visit the park daily.
"I want to say thank you to the community effort," Mehta said. "It's really cool that the city actually listens."
