Saturday, October 28, 2017

In Memoriam: Karin Flores, LA River Advocate

Photo: Diane Edwardson, December 25, 2009.  Blue Heron on the LA River.  

Karin Flores, LA River advocate, environmentalist, community activist and friend, died earlier this month.  A memorial will take place, today, October 28, 2017, 10:30 A.M. at The Frog Spot, 2825 Benedict Street, Elysian Valley). 

Karin was a tireless activist for the river and surrounding neighborhoods in the Glendale Narrows, including Elysian Valley and Atwater.  Through her work with Friends of the LA River, she got to know and genuinely care about the people who make the neighborhoods unique.  

Most of all, Karin was a good person.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, November 16, 2016. Air pollution hanging above Elysian Valley and Cypress Park, trapped by the inversion layer.

I got to know Karin while we volunteered with the Northeast Residents for Clean Air working to get Metrolink to respect the neighborhoods they pollute surrounding the maintenance yard in Cypress Park.  Her positive energy helped keep several of us going on the project since 2011.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, December 19, 2012.  Mushrooms in Red Car Canyon.

Karin had the gift of seeing not only the big picture, but how the minutiae fit into the big picture.  She loved the beauty and endless variety of mushrooms, not just locally, but worldwide as seen alongside environmental causes she supported on her Twitter feed, @PurpleSageLA

Karin was always supportive of the effort to acquire the Red Car Property as a park.  She understood its potential as a link between parks and neighborhoods.  She often suggested creative outreach and always knew who to contact in city/county/state departments to help solve problems.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 18, 2012.  Marine Blue Butterfly on Corralitas Drive.

Karin appreciated the art of the imperfect bird or butterfly photograph, where the animal's movement at the shutter snap turned the photo into art.

Karin was an asset to the community.  Her positive outlook and genuine concern for the neighborhoods made her easy to work with.  Her loss will be felt for years to come.