Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
LA Mayor Shuts Down Beach Parking And Closes Sports Facilities
People, some wearing face masks, walk in Griffith Park on Sunday. (Mario Tama / Getty Images)
After a weekend where it was clear a lot of people were still in close proximity in many outdoor areas, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti essentially said tonight: Enough is enough.
This weekend we saw too many people packing beaches, trails and parks. So we are closing sports and recreation at @LACityParks and closing parking at city beaches. That doesn’t mean gather elsewhere. This is serious. Stay home and save lives.
— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) March 23, 2020
Before Garcetti's announcement:
- Santa Monica had already shut down beach parking lots.
- The Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced it would close all of its parks and trails -- 75,000 acres of land in all.
- Long Beach had closed sports facilities.
Social distancing calls for people to stay at least six feet apart (see above photo). Under statewide "Safer at Home" orders, authorities had asked all Californians to do their part not to leave their home, except to work in essential jobs or seek essential services.
Sponsored message
Garcetti had encouraged people to walk dogs and take hikes, but apparently didn't anticipate the volume of people who would still gather in public recreational spaces.
We will have more on this story tomorrow.
SOME STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT COVID-19
We're all living through this extraordinary and frightening pandemic. The vast majority of our newsroom has been working from home (here's some advice on that) since March 11 to bring you calm, helpful reporting. We are answering your questions and taking more.
We're here to help. And if you can help support that effort financially, we'd be grateful.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
