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 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.
Photos: MacArthur Park's Lake Is So Full Of Colorful Balls

Not to be outdone by its reservoir brethren, MacArthur Park finally got its own balls this weekend.On Saturday, the first of what will eventually be 2,500 colorful vinyl ball were released into MacArthur Park's lake. Mayor Eric Garcetti was on hand at the ceremony, telling the L.A. Times, "This project involves everything that's good about Los Angeles—great weather, open space, creativity and social conscience."
The balls don't serve the same utility that the shade balls do, but according to the Massey brothers—who founded the arts nonprofit Portraits of Hope—they wanted the balls to bring attention to a public space that has fallen by the wayside and also to bring people together. "Our philosophy is we take iconic symbols that people don't always think about, but that have relevance to the city, and we find ways to work with them," said Bernie Massey. The balls themselves were painted all summer by volunteers, mostly schoolchildren.
Installation of the balls is set to continue on through Tuesday. Be sure to catch them before they're gone!

(via Portraits of Hope)
The lake at #macarthurpark is filling up with colorful balls. #spheresatmacarthurpark http://t.co/V5pQl89fTF pic.twitter.com/ylEViELGFq
— ryloc (@ryloc) August 22, 2015
#SpheresAtMacarthurPark: a huge art installation done by the #masseybrothers is happening! #LA #art @myfoxla pic.twitter.com/2ZsCTJyKRD
— Christine O'Donnell (@thechristineod) August 23, 2015
Giant painted balls put in L.A.'s MacArthur Park lake. Good public arts project? #publicart #LosAngeles #KCRW pic.twitter.com/rgSdClWmdl
— Saul Gonzalez (@SaulKQED) August 23, 2015
Large beach balls hand painted by children transforming MacArthur Park into a work of art. #mydayinLA pic.twitter.com/bCUSEcsGBL
— Steve Saldivar (@stevesaldivar) August 22, 2015
At MacArthur Park, a much more colorful alternative to #ShadeBalls. #Westlake pic.twitter.com/TNJ7nP5iO1
— Militant Angeleno (@militantangleno) August 22, 2015
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.

-
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.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?