ECHO PARK LAKE CELEBRATING 110TH BIRTHDAY

How do you celebrate a 110th

birthday?
Well, in the case of Echo Park
Lake, it’s no fun holding one little
get-together. So instead, the Echo
Park Historical Society is
throwing a year-long series of
events and tributes for a beloved
neighborhood landmark.
The EPHS has designated 2005
as the “Year of the Lake” to mark
the 110th anniversary of Echo Park
Lake’s opening to the public in
1895. Why make a big deal of 110
years? Well, no one threw a party
for the lake’s centennial, and the
EPHS wants to make up for that
oversight by giving this community
icon the proper recognition and
respect it deserves. Drawing from a Los Angeles Parks Department annual report of the early 1930s.
(Continued on page 4)

WHY WILL LAUSD CONDEMN NEIGHBORHOOD ON SITE 9A

WHEN SITE 12 IS FOR SALE?
By Christine Peters

Last summer, officials from the Los Angeles Unified
School District (LAUSD) came to Echo Park to declare
their need for a new elementary school. After a rapid-
fire set of meetings, the district in September selected
as its preferred site an area on Alvarado Street just
south of Sunset Boulevard – an area currently occu-
pied by 40 homes and two businesses.
The Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Coun-
cil was troubled by this process from the very begin-
ning, and worked pro-actively to set up a series of
meetings with schoolboard member David Tokofsky.
The district's site selection process pitted two adja-
cent blocks against each other, with each battling to
survive the eminent domain process. The last site to
be considered -- known as Site 9A -- drew the short
straw and was chosen by default. Once the proposal
reached the school board, no more than seven speak-
ers were allowed to testify. Those who lived on Site 9A,
who were about to lose their homes, were barred from
speaking because they had not used the district's ad-
vance reservation system for testifying.
Most importantly, however, the neighborhood coun-
cil argued that there is another, better site nearby –
(Continued on page 5)

Echo Park Improvement Association

Meets at 7 p.m. the 1st Thursday of each Month
in Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park
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MEMORANDUMS
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LETTERHEADS/ENVELOPES EDITORS:
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Dear EPIA members,

We need your help. The Echo Park Improvement Association has played an important part in the recent
history of Echo Park and many of our members have major involvements in other local organizations, includ-
ing GEPENC, the Echo Park Historical Society, the Edendale Library Friends Society. What does this mean to
EPIA? It means that fewer and fewer of us are involved in the leadership of EPIA. Specifically, it means a very
small group of people plan the meetings, arrange for speakers, work the telephone tree, bring refreshments,
take minutes, publish the newsletter, plan and organize our Lotus Festival booths, summer and holiday par-
ties and any other EPIA related activities.
Now for the help. Something has to change. We’d like it to be more people participating in the organizing
end of EPIA. We try to get speakers on topics that are relevant and interesting to the community and need
someone who can chair this committee (even if it’s a committee of one). Or, we could go to less frequent
meetings. Or we could close EPIA.
At one time EPIA had tree plantings, cleanups, graffiti paint-outs. We’d like to do improvement projects
again, in addition to our monthly meetings. But we need volunteers to lead these projects. If you have a pet
project, volunteer to organize it.
Help decide EPIA’s future. Tell us your thoughts. Come to the EPIA Steering Committee meeting. Or call
the EPIA phone line, (323) 882-4835. Volunteer – all help is greatly appreciated. EPIA has been a positive,
well-respected force in the neighborhood. We need your help to continue being one.
Lynn Barbé
Chair, Echo Park Improvement Association

(323)

girl’s teen yoga

Pilates
(Continued from page 1)
110th Birthday
Here is a rundown of lake
events and programs:
● Monthly Walking Tours: The
Echo Park Lake Anniversary
Walking Tour will be held on the
second Saturday of every month
through November. This approxi-
mately two-hour long tour hits all
the highlights of the lake as well
as the hillside neighborhoods that
ring the park. The guided tour
begins at 10 am and leaves from
the Echo Park Boathouse. Please
call (323) 860-8874 or visit the
Walking Tour section of
www.HistoricEchoPark.org to
make a reservation.
● Historic Echo Park Lake
Exhibit & Guide: In partnership
with the city’s Recreation & Parks
Department, the EPHS will
present a display of historic
photos, drawings and information
about the lake at the Echo Park
Boathouse. The year-long display,
which was designed by society
member Jerry Campbell, is
scheduled to be available for
viewing in time for this year’s
Lotus Festival, July 9 & 10, when
the boathouse will reopen after
undergoing repairs. In conjunction
with the exhibit, the EPHS will
produce a small, pocket guide of
The History & Landmarks of Echo
Park Lake, which will be
distributed free of charge to
boathouse visitors.
● Historic Echo Park Home
Tour: This year’s Historic Echo
Park Home Tour, Lakeside Living:
Life Along the Urban Shore, will
focus on the homes and apart-
ments near Echo Park Lake. The
tour will take place on Saturday,
Nov. 12.
● Landmark Nomination & Lake
Fund: The EPHS will ask the City
of Los Angeles to designate Echo
Park Lake and the surrounding
buildings and landscape as an
official city cultural historic land-
mark. In pursuit of this goal, the
EPHS has hired Historic Re-
sources Group, one of the city’s
most prominent preservation
consultants, to research and pre-
sent the landmark application.
This is an expensive effort, and
the EPHS is seeking contributions
to defray the cost. You can help
by making a donation to the Echo
Park Lake Landmark Nomination
Fund. Details are available at
www.HistoricEchoPark.org
● Education & Awareness: Read
about the interesting history of
Echo Park Lake in stories that will
appear in our quarterly newsletter
this year. The stories will also be
posted in the
www.HistoricEchoPark.org
1911 SUNSET BOULEVARD
LOS ANGELES, CA 90026
(213) 484-1265
(Continued from page 1) cal issue and must be addressed. appropriate school site. With the
Site 12 FOR SALE However, the school district simply “For Sale” signs visible on Alva-
one known as Site 12 – that would is not grasping the decline in en- rado Street, the obvious choice is
take away fewer homes and there- rollment that Echo Park has al- Site 12.
fore would result in the displace- ready experienced over the past Echo Park has spoken out
ment of fewer families. four to five years. against unwise land use proposals
Now there is an urgent reason According to the school dis- in the past -- from a ridiculous plan
for the school district to change trict’s own web site, Echo Park’s to pave over 65 acres of Elysian
course. Why? Much of Site 12 has six elementary schools – from Park to the state's effort to ram the
gone up FOR SALE! While the Rosemont Avenue on the south- 2 Freeway down Glendale Boule-
school district has been conduct- west to Elysian Heights on the vard and Alvarado Streets. In the
ing its environmental analysis of northeast – have declined in enroll- same way, Echo Park wants the
Site 9A, signs went up on a one- ment by 780 students since 2001- district to build an elementary
block stretch of Alvarado Street 02. Over the last five years, those school on a site with willing sellers
just a few blocks south. schools have experienced a decline and displace the smallest number
Site 12, located on Alvarado of 883 students. And if Allessandro of families.
between Bellevue and Kent, has 28 Elementary School, which serves
homes on it -- compared to 40 on some Echo
9A. Half of it is zoned for industrial Park fami-
uses. Even some residential lots lies, is
are used as truck yards. And now, added to
an entire one-block section is lined the calcu-
with For Sale signs. Go take a look! l a t i o n ,
The signs only went up a few Echo Park
weeks ago. That means the school has de-
district has the opportunity to pur- clined by
chase from a willing seller today 983 stu-
instead of forcing out 40 house- dents since
holds, some of whom have lived 2000-01.
here for decades, even genera- I n
tions. In short, the school district o t h e r
should rethink its plans and select words, the
the site that has less of a commu- decrease
nity impact. in enroll-
The school district has repeat- m e n t
edly argued that any change in should give
strategy for Echo Park would deter Echo Park
it from its effort to relieve over- sufficient Site 12, located on Alvarado between Bellevue and Kent. Now one-
crowding on its elementary school time to block section is lined with For Sale signs
campuses. Overcrowding is a criti- find the

EchoParkYouthEmpowermentCouncil
Serving Echo Park / Temple-Beaudry since 1993

Luiza Padilla-Mavropoulos
Founder-Activist/Craft’s Instructor/Face Painter

(323) 662-2081 Tel/FAX

Mexican Cultural Awareness, ArtsCrafts classes,
Face Painting for children’s Parties,
Assistance filling our legal forms,
Translation of forms or letters English/Spanish,
Para-professional gang death Grievance counseling
 ECHO PARK CALENDAR
Event Date Location Comments
st
EPIA Meetings 1 Thursday, 7:00 pm Williams Hall at Barlow Call EPIA message phone for
July 7, Aug 8 Hospital, 2000 Stadium additional information
Way in Elysian Park
EPIA Steering 3rd Thursdays, 7:15 pm Call (323) 882-4835 for Take an active part in EPIA.
Committee June 16, July 21 location Join the Steering Committee
Meetings
Echo Park 2nd Thursday, LAPD Stop-in Center (on Call (323) 666-3228 for
Security June 9, July 14 the side of Bank of additional information
Association America)
Citizens 1st Wednesday,7:30 pm Williams Hall at Barlow Call 213-666-9651 for meeting
Committee to July 6, Aug 3 Hospital, 2000 Stadium location
Save Elysian Park Way in Elysian Park
Greater Echo 4th Tuesday, 7 pm Logan Street School Call (213) 413-3196 for info or
Park Elysian June 28, July 26 Auditorium, 1711 W. visit www.GEPENC.org
Neighborhood Logan Street
Council Meeting
Edendale Library 2nd Wednesday, 7 pm Edendale Branch Library Join the library’s support group
Friends Society June 8, July 13 2011 W. Sunset Boulevard and find out how you can help
>=> ELFS <=< in the Community room your neighborhood’s branch.
New members are always
welcome.
Deadline for June Friday, July 22 Send submissions to EPIA,
EPIAn ways Attn: EPIAn Ways Editor
SPECIAL EVENTS
Lotus Festival Saturday, July 9 and Echo Park Lake Call (323) 882-4835 to volunteer
Sunday July 10 for the EPIA booth
UPCOMING EPIA TOWN HALL MEETINGS
Parking ● Councilmember

To All,
The Department of Animal Services, East Valley Animal Shelter has had so many cats come into our facility
recently that we have run out of room! If you are looking for a pet or know someone who would like one,
please come by our Shelter or check out our available animals on the web. We have many, very cute
kittens as well as adult cats that are available for adoption. Our Address is:

13131 Sherman Way

North Hollywood, CA 91605
tel: 888-452-7381
On the Internet at: LAAnimalServices.com
ECHO PARK LIBRARY HAPPENINGS
July
Library Computer Classes screening. Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 2:00pm.
7 & 21 Thu. Computer Comfort Learn to use the Library’s Fun for Kids
electronic catalog to search for materials, renew items, and Tuesdays Summer Reading Club @ Echo Park Explore new
place your own holds. Learn the basics of surfing the worlds in books in our SUMMER READING CLUB program.
Internet. Introduction to various databases and search Echo Park Branch, call 213/250-7808 for a schedule.
engines. Bring your library card. Adults only. Familiarity Daily GAB. Books come alive for kids when they share the
with the keyboard and mouse is recommended but not fun of reading with GAB Library Volunteers. GAB reading
mandatory. Please arrive 10 minutes before class begins. times are frequently held in most branch libraries. Daily
Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 4pm. Echo Park Branch, call 213/250-7808 for a schedule.
14 Thu & 26 Tue. Introduction to Basic Web Design Learn 5 Tue. Brenda Roberts Author/dancer Brenda Roberts
about HTML codes to create a simple web page. Computer shares and dances her new book JAZZY MIZ MOZETTA!
experience is mandatory. Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 3pm.
Branch, 4pm. 12 Tue. Lotus Festival Origami Make lotus flowers &
28 Thu. ProQuest Database An introductory class in dragon boats with Jeni! Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park
searching for full-text articles. Recommended for adult Branch, 3pm.
school and college students. Computer experience is 14 Thu. Bilingual Library Little Ones Program Babies,
mandatory. Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 4pm. Toddlers, Parents… join us for 30 minutes of songs, books,
Events & bilingual fun, every 2nd Thursday of the month. Call
16 Sat. Tarot Reading Program Come and receive short 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 11am.
mini-tarot readings. Sign-ups are required. Adults only. Call 19 Tue. Magic Show Celebrate Harry Potter’s new book
213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 4pm-6pm. with Tony Daniel’s
30 Sat. Mystery Movie Madness Join us for a movie classic 26 Tue. Game Day Play “I Spy” and Zoom games for cool
– “mystery genre.” Adults only. Call 213/250-7808. Echo prizes! Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 3pm.
Park Branch, 4pm.
Just For Teens
5 & 19 Tue. College Club Get ideas on how to apply for
scholarships, how to choose a college, and what you can do Who responds to your alarms?
now while you’re still in high school to get ready for college.
Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 4:15pm.
23 Sat. Graffiti Verite Film. This documentary about the
world of urban art and Hip Hop includes behind-the-scenes
Experience does matter.
interviews with some of Los Angeles’ most talented graffiti
artists. The filmmaker will answer questions after the With so much at risk why take chances?
Library Hours
Mondays 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Count on the experience of Select Patrol.
Tuesdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Wednesdays 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Thursdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm For more information about our 24 - hour
Fridays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm alarm response service, call us today.
Saturdays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sundays CLOSED
Library Address
Echo Park Branch Library
1410 W. Temple Street Select Patrol
Los Angeles CA 90026
Phone 213.250.7808
A superior level of service since 1984
FAX 213.250.3744
World Wide Web Address
http://www.lapl.org 323.644.1014 Lic. PP0-9229
2150 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, 90026 CA
24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL
 EDENDALE LIBRARY HAPPENINGS
The Edendale Library Friends Society (ELFS) seeks
volunteer participation from local residents. The
ELFS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
supporting our local library. All are welcome. We
urgently need to cover three activities with as many
volunteers we can muster: SORTING, BOOK SALES
AND INVENTORY.
Volunteers will report to the volunteer bookstore
manager.
SORTING of the incoming used books by category.
We need 2-3 book-loving people for 3 hours every
week. It’s fun, festive and easy. There are pre-
designated categories. We play music and supply
beverages. The more, the merrier. Flexible schedules
available during or outside normal library hours.
BOOK SALE
SET-UP the book sale. On the SECOND FRIDAY, 2
pm to 5 pm, of each month, 5-8 volunteers needed.
Organize tables, pull books out of boxes and place
on table. Place signs and easels, hang banners.
Decorate appropriately.
CONDUCT BOOK SALE on the SECOND SATURDAY,
9am – 3:30 pm Three hour shifts for 5-8 volunteers.
Attend books sale, add more books, help customers,
collect money.
BREAKDOWN the book sale. 2 pm – 3:30 pm. 5-8
people.
Pack and store unsold books, remove signs, tidy
room.
INVENTORY Our biggest project is very special.
Local Silverlake physician and philanthropist D. C.
Mogge M.D., donated 3600 books. The collection
dates from the 1930’s to the present. We need to
inventory the collection and pull out valuable books.
We need 3-4 people for three-hour shifts each week.
These people should be computer (PC) friendly. We
use an Access database which was custom designed
for our project. One need only scroll down and click.
It merely requires entering title, author, date,
publisher and size. This is very easy for a modestly
computer literate person. We're up to 700 entries
now. This is a limited project, which should be
finished by the end of the summer.
Book sale proceeds go to the purchase of new books
for the library.
For more information, sign up and training email
edendalefriend@yahoo.com or call Joelle Dobrow at
213/ 353-0066.

Library Hours
Mondays 12:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Tuesdays 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Wednesdays 12:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Thursdays 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Fridays 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Saturdays 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Sundays CLOSED

Library Address
Edendale Branch Library
2011 W. Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone (213) 207-3000
FAX (213) 207-3097
24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL
 Hola All, We plan to hold monthly meetings, with more
It's been a whirlwind of activity with the and more meetings as we get close to our target
Neighborhood Council issues, gentrification in our date of Saturday December 3, 2005. We need vol-
community, the military hitting our local elementary unteers to make this parade happen, so be on the
schools, and lack of parking being a major issue not look out for posted meeting and action dates.
just in Echo Park but everywhere in the city. We wel- EPYEC is currently holding painting classes at
come all new folks who have moved in, and mourn the Echo Park Library. We hope to continue this
the loss of long time friends and neighbors due to throughout the summer, Thursdays 3-5pm.
the changes in Echo Park. As District 5 Neighborhood Council representa-
I volunteered to chair this years Holiday Parade. tive, I will be at the Echo Park Library from 5pm
The theme was chosen to be Holidays Around the until 7pm Thursdays to listen to com-
World. I have spoken to members of the L.A.F.D- plaints/concerns regarding District 5 Temple-
SERTOMA club and they are onboard with the use Beaudry issues, flyers will be made and passed out
of the old fire trucks. I have also spoken to mem- regarding this time frame. There’s so much to say,
bers of a local car club, they have the old cherried- so with that, call me (323) 662-2081 for more info
out bombs, and they are interested in participating. or concerns. Until we meet again.
We have a volunteer Santa on standby.
Luiza

Podiatric Medicine and Surgery

ELISABETH S. YOUN, D.P.M.

City of Angels Medical Center ProcCare Medical Center, Inc.

1711 W. Temple St #5606 4515 Eagle Rock Blvd #133C
Los Angeles, CA 90026 Los Angeles, CA 90041
Tel. (213) 483-6563 Tel (213) 483-6563
Fax (213) 989=6159 Fax (323 259=8835

Mon — Sat
11 am — 7 pm
Sundays —
Saturday
Special
Typical
THIS SPACE IS
Group of 10
or more by
Haitian
Food WAITING for
YOUR AD
Reservation Wood Burning Rotisserie
309 N. Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
www.tigeorgeschicken.com Call the EPIA (323) 882-4835 for
Email: geo4u1@sbcglobal.net
Central City Action
Just seems like CCAC is always having a party for
someone or some special event. This past week,
Paul Meza retired from CCAC. He and his wife
moved into to their new home in Bullhead City,
Arizona on Memorial Day weekend. Some of you,
who have been around for many years may
remember Paul as being our resident graffiti and
Echo Park beautification expert. He originally
teamed up with Maryanne back in the days when
there were Teen Posts in the housing projects. From
there a friendship bonded and the two of them
began a working relationship. After working 8 hours
a day for LA Unified, he would come to CCAC and
work with kids. When the City approached Maryanne
after the Olympics about a graffiti removal program,
Paul became the first graffiti supervisor of Central
City Action Committee.
Paul took his time with the youth in training them
to become expert graffiti removers. Some of those
youth from back in the early days have been or still
are paid staff at CCAC. From graffiti to the LA
Dodgers, Paul took every job with pride. He
organized a group of our kids to work with the LA
Dodgers to help improve the area around Echo
Park. These kids were paid money each week and
also grew up with a sense of pride in their
Echo Park Lake Boat House News from the CD13 Office
TNI funding has provided $305,000. We secured the ad-
ditional $172,000 in the remaining months of 2004 and
there are no longer any funding gaps. The pylons and dock-
ing will go out to bid because General Services doesn’t have
the capability to do that type of work. At this time specifica-
tions are being drawn up for that bid. With the rains end,
work on the ramp and other hardscape improvements will
begin. The hardscape (dock, ADA ramp, back wall) improve-
ments and the dock/pylon work will go forward concur-
rently.
The Project Manager for the Boathouse is Paul Luna.
Paul Luna’s team is proceeding with putting work out to bid
for the pile “wrappings”. The lumber for all the planking will
be ordered and construction began the 2nd week of February
starting with the demolition to replace the planking/dock.
The floor decking under the building and the dock needs
complete replacement. The piling will all be plastic wrapped
by Gloria
community while working with Paul. Another job
that Paul fulfilled was resident camp cook. How he
loved to go camping. He would plan menus and
enjoy cooking up pancakes, chicken, carne asada
and other delectables. His position at CCAC will be
missed by all staff and youth. We wish him success
and are already making plans to go and visit him.
Wonder if he has room for tents?
Remember the little kid’s basketball league I told
you about? Well they are still going strong despite
their no win record. The basketball is bigger than
the kids. Most are only 9 years old. They are
showing some promise as they made about 6
baskets this season. Most of these kids will be our
next generation. They make me laugh as I see them
running around. Sometimes their legs get in their
way as they run and they just seem to topple over
each other.
Summer. Well, as you can already guess we have
a lot planned. Thanks to several successful
rummage sales, a group of about 10 off-track kids
are going to Magic Mountain, Knottsberry Farm and
camping. Also a big thanks to Councilman Eric
Garcetti's Office in providing funds to allow off-track
kids to get paid for emptying the ceramic trash bins
along Sunset Blvd. Look for kids in red T-shirts
twice a week emptying the trash and putting in new
bags to prevent overflow of trash on Sunset.
Thanks again to everyone in the community who
donates items to CCAC. Your help and concern are
always welcome at the center.
for future preservation, one pile needs a concrete pile
jacket. The shade structure contains hand-hewn beams and
detailed entablature and can be rehabilitated as it stands.
With the current funds, the following can probably be done:
1. Restore structural stability to the entire structure with
PVC pile jackets & on concrete pile jacket.
2. Rehabilitate the dock shade structure.
3. Provide an ADA accessible ramp.
4. Replace the dock decking & maybe some building floor
sheathing.
The lake in the area of the boathouse will need to be
drained to make any repairs. This will be coordinated with
the Bureau of Sanitation.
The Dept. of Rec. & Parks is completing an in-house
plan for the renovation of the boathouse including historic
elements that were removed in the previous 1970's renova-
tion. Completion date not yet determined.
LOTUS PAD NOTES
NEWS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
FROM ECHO PARK & ANGELINO
CHICKEN CORNER, ROUND TWO: The new owners
of a vacant lot at Echo Park Avenue and Delta Street
– just north of the Chango coffee house – have
stepped forward with new high-density construction
plans. The previous owner of the lot, once known for
its chickens and rabbits, even a cow for awhile, had
hoped to wedge 38 units of affordable housing onto
the property. Instead, they sold to Civic Enterprise
Associates, which is now planning 36 condos that
would cover not only Chicken Corner but also the
adjacent now abandoned convalescent home. The
new proposal would certainly be less dense than the
previous one, since it involves the convalescent
property. But details are still scarce.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles City Council smacked
down critics (including the Greater Echo Park Elysian
NC) of a proposed 52-unit affordable housing project
planned for Temple Street, across the street from the
Echo Park branch library. The project, with the help
of Council Member Ed Reyes, one of 10 subsidized
projects approved in Echo Park over the past five
years, sailed through unanimously.
NOTHING SAYS LOS ANGELES like the sad story
of the “Black Dahlia,” the mysterious 1947 murder
that went unsolved by the Los Angeles Police
Department. So it makes sense that a new movie of
that topic will be filming around Echo Park Lake over
the next few weeks. More puzzling, however, is why
the producers of the movie apparently decided to film
the majority of the film in Eastern Europe. It’s hard to
picture the cobblestone streets of Bulgaria doubling
as mid-century Los Angeles. Too bad the production
company filming at the lake couldn’t chip in and help
contribute a few red tiles for the roof of the
boathouse – which needs a makeover.
HEIGHTS by E.P. Lagoso
SPEAKING OF THE LAKE, representatives of
Council member Eric Garcetti’s office say that money
has been found to repair the bridge to the island.
Supposedly, the funding will allow the bridge to
retain its current appearance – not a sad, wrought-
iron imitation.
Walgreens pharmacy finally opened at Sunset and
Echo Park, in the building that once housed Pioneer
Market, the neighborhood institution that closed in
August. Although it’s still an open question whether a
grocery will occupy the other part of the Walgreens
building, the owners are already rumored to be
looking to replace Pioneer Chicken with a Starbucks
coffee.
The 40th anniversary picnic for the Citizens
Committee to Save Elysian Park was a smashing
success, providing a lovely afternoon of food and
conversation in – where else? – Elysian Park.
Newcomers to the neighborhood, and there are
many, are still amazed by the pitched battle that
erupted over the park in the mid-1960s, when city
leaders decided they wanted to build a convention
center in the middle of the park and pave over nearly
everything on both sides of Stadium Way.
Fortunately, Echo Park activists rallied on the park’s
behalf, safeguarding it for the following generations,
who even today enjoy its walking trails and open
spaces.
Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the writers
and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Echo Park
Improvement Association