Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Echo Park Lake Has Official Re-Opening Date!
Echo Park Lake in 2011 (Photo by Uncle Rhea via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
()
After a bit of a tease in March about a pending re-opening, today comes the official announcement that Echo Park Lake will finally be available again to the public on June 15.
In a press conference held this morning, L.A. City Councilman and mayoral candidate Eric Garcetti was joined by Councilmembers Jan Perry and Ed Reyes to reveal the official re-opening date of the 13-acre lake and 16-acre park.
"The restoration of Echo Park and Lake is an exclamation point on our work to build stronger neighborhoods through parks. Together with the community, we've tripled the number of parks from 16 to 47, building 31 new parks in the district with the least land," Garcetti said in a release.
The park, which dates back to the 1860s, was closed in 2011 for a major rehab project funded by Prop O, which was approved by voters in 2004.
Support for LAist comes from
Locals have seen changes already implemented in the iconic park. The Lady of the Lake statue was put back in earlier this year, and she's in her original spot, back where she first was after she was commissioned in 1934. Alas, this year we won't see the lotus flowers bloom, but they should be back in full color next spring. Because there's new sod in the park, the facility will hold off on hosting any festivals, like the Lotus Festival, for another year.
There's also a new pavement perimeter around the lake and a return of the catch and release fishing program. Plans to reinstate the boathouse, as well as to keep the bridge and island open are in the works.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist