Photo: Diane Edwardson, October 1, 2009. Sunflowers on the 18-Acre addition to Elysian Park on Riverside Drive between Newell St and Stadium Way. (Click on photo to enlarge.)Last night, CD 13 hosted a meeting to talk about planned improvements for the 18-Acre Parcel of Elysian Park. Unfortunately, without large scale illustrations, community members had to strain to see unbelievably small type on copies made by Mr. Dickerson of Dickerson Employee Benefits (who allowed the community to meet in his conference room). Mr. Dickerson really saved the day by making those copies!
CD 13, Rec & Parks nor ICF Jones & Stokes brought functional drawings nor handouts for a meeting. Considering the last community meeting took place in 2007, why would anyone have detailed knowledge of what was planned for the site. Timetables seemed rushed as funding apparently is becoming available for a project that has dragged on since 2003.
Phase 1 plans include an expensive paved road to two ADA accessible parking spaces, lots of grass, two "multi-purpose sports courts," a small parking lot, an outdoor classroom and lots of grass. The Equestrian Trail (Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor) per the Community Plan was ignored. No pedestrian safety mitigations on Riverside Drive are planned either.
For unbiased coverage of last night's meeting, as well as a link to the plans, see: The Eastsider LA.
Rec & Parks has the Environmental Review posted on their website. Public comment closes 3PM, October 19, 2009.
