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An Echo Park parents group has started a petition to build a fence around the playground near Echo Park Lake.As with the lake it’s by, the playground has undergone a stunning rehabilitation and is popular with local families. However, the group Echo Park Parents feels that the playground is dangerously close to the lake, citing incidents where children have allegedly almost fallen into the lake or where dogs have come in from the neighboring dog path, creating a hazard for toddlers.
The group says the fence will be cost-effective, preventing the surrounding grass from being eroded by directing people toward the entrances/exits, and can prevent a tragedy. A representative of the group cited a similar fence to separate children and dogs that was recently built at the new Spring St. Park Downtown.
The petition is addressed to Ari Bessendorf, president, Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council, and Mitch O'Farrell, Los Angeles City Council representing District 13. Bessendorf said that although the neighborhood council serves in an advisory role to the city council, who would ultimately make the decision about the fence, "we are open to people coming to us, and we will work the make sure the community's concerns are communicated to the city council."
You can check out the petition at Change.org.
