18 Acre Elysian Park Parcel: Sand Fire

Photo: Esteban Gonzalez, July 22, 2016. Friday afternoon, smoke and ash from the Sand Fire in Santa Clarita became the dominant feature in our air quality, growing worse overnight.

Most people don't realize the vacant lot at the northern terminus of Echo Park Ave is a part of Elysian Park.  The "18 Acre Parcel" continues downslope in both directions, preserves native oak and walnut habitat and includes a basketball court on Riverside Drive.  The parcel, like much of Elysian Park, is directly surrounded by diverse residential neighborhoods, including Elysian Valley, Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract and Elysian Heights.  It was acquired by the City in the late 1990s using Prop K funds.