Our city councilmember for the west side of the reservoir, Tom LaBonge, brought a number of local leaders and city departments together. Here is a great write up about what is coming for Griffith Park, the L.A. River, the Zoo, roads and ever important sewers. Many thanks for this report go to Sergio Lambarri, Special Interest Representative, Atwater Village Neighborhood Council · Atwater Village, Where Progress Is Tradition

(photo, Tom LaBonge at Autry Farmers Market health fair)

On April 17th, 2013, Councilman Tom LaBonge hosted a town hall style meeting in regards to Griffith Park. Some of the residence association that attend were representative of: Los Feliz, Franklin Hills, Beachwood, Toluca Lake, Friends of Griffith Park, and of course Atwater Village Neighborhood Council. Many private citizens were there as well representing hikers and seniors, along with private enterprise such as Sunset Ranch and Griffith Park Pony Rides. The City agencies that presented briefings included: L.A. Zoo, Griffith Observatory, Bureau of Engineering (BOE), Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Water & Power (DWP), Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), Department of Sanitation (DOS), along with Recreation and Parks (RAP). The Los Feliz Ledger was also in the audience. 

One of the first items discussed was the privately funded, five million dollar, equestrian / bicyclist / pedestrian bridge that will cross the L.A. River just south of North Atwater Park (LeCrets Crossing). Any bridge that allows crossing the river during times of high water is welcomed. The construction start date is tentatively scheduled for the end of the nesting season, possibly the later part of July. Although, I brought up the fact that the tunnel under the I-5 freeway is only suitable for equestrians, no funds have been set aside to improve it for pedestrian use. 

A study by DOT of the L.A. Zoo traffic is underway. In order to minimize the congestion on the overpass crossing the I-5 freeway, a plan to shave the two islands and add a second lane into the zoo is being considered, along with possibly adding a traffic signal at that site. Unfortunately, Caltrans has not been contacted requesting a dedicated zoo off ramp to replace the CA-134/Zoo transition ramp we have now. One plan that the Zoo appears to be moving forward on is a five dollar preferential parking option which will be implemented on the 1st of July. 

DWP spoke on a number of topics. First, the Festival of Lights may not occur this year, again. The cost and disruption is more than the department is willing to absorb. Councilman LaBonge suggested that perhaps the L.A. Zoo can be of help with this, but no final decision will be made until July. The Headworks project is continuing through Griffith Park. This is the two 55 million gallon underground tanks being installed near Travel Town, across Martinez Arena, that will replace the Ivanhoe Reservoir, adjacent to the Silverlake Reservoir, (which is due to go off line by 2014). This is a two stage project; stage one is scheduled for completion by 2014 and stage two by 2016. More questions were asked then could be answered in the short time we had, so a tour of the site will be planned for the near future. 

As for Griffith Park itself, Recreations and Parks has a great many things on their drawing boards. The two additional Crystal Springs ball diamonds are nearing the final planning stage. A few items still need to be resolved, such as parking and traffic control (as it stands now, the plan calls for closing the road on the back corner near the golf course). A permanent stage is also planned at the Old Zoo for Shakespeare in the Park, and Symphony in the Glen performances. A horticulture center at the Commonwealth service yard is being considered, along with a refurbishment of the Griffith Park Pool, possibly adding solar heating for a year round swimming experience. A suggestion was made to add a bicycle motocross (BMX) course at the closed Toyon landfill. Unfortunately for our youth, this suggestion was brushed aside in favor of equestrian safety. 

BOE discussed the refurbishment of the Hyperion Bridge (Victory Memorial). The road traversing the bridge will be widened, with the removal of one of the sidewalks, and a center concrete divider installed. The northbound I-5 off ramp will be moved slightly west of its present location and just south of the flagpole, in order for traffic to cross Glendale Blvd. to Riverside Dr., with a traffic signal installed. This should mitigate the need to execute a "u" turn at Glenfeliz Ave. A pedestrian bridge crossing the river is also in the works, utilizing the old Red Car piers. BOE expects to have a final design and blueprints by 2015, with groundbreaking to start by 2016, at the earliest. We were informed that federal funds have been procured, so this project seems a bit more of a reality then a wish list. 

BOE also has a sewer project in the works. A North East Interceptor Sewer (NEIS) is in the design stage. This 80 inch sewer will complement the 42 inch sewer which runs parallel to San Fernando Rd. (the San Fernando Rd. line is currently at 80% capacity). The new line will be constructed 100 feet underground beginning at the Los Angeles/Glendale reclamation plant, continue along the eastern portion of North Atwater Park, cross the L.A. River into Griffith Park, then turn south through the park until it reaches Fletcher Dr. Once at Fletcher Dr. it will cross the river again, follow the eastern bank, then connect to the North Outfall Sewer (NOS) near Division St. in Glassell Park (close to the Sotomayor Learning Academies). We were assured that all work will be closed tunneling with only three openings: one at the reclamation plant, another in Griffith Park, and the final connection at Division St. These are where the boring machines will enter/exit and where material will be removed. Since the tunneling will be done 100 feet below ground, those in the area should not be adversely affected. This is a much smaller and deeper tunnel than those bored for the subway Red Line. 

Other items that were touched upon were: the new horse trails and picnic areas at Toyon Canyon, the reopening of the perimeter road at Lake Hollywood, kayaking along the river, the May 2nd River Fun Run, the feasibility of installing cell towers in Griffith Park, and the comet ISON arriving in November. 

As these projects move forward, Councilman Tom LaBonge directed the city representatives to continue with their outreach programs. 

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