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.  

Allesandro Street: 2 Freeway Sound Walls, CalTrans Still Short On Details

Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 1, 2013.  From the top of the 18-Acre Elysian Park Expansion looking toward the 2 Freeway & the Silver Lake side of the Freeway, you get an idea of how many homes look down on the 2 Freeway.  The yellow line is just a portion of the sound wall proposed between Oak Glen and Rosebud on Allesandro Street.  (Click on photos to enlarge.) 

At last week's meeting regarding the 2 Freeway Terminus, Caltrans & Metro's presentation on the 2 Freeway sound walls were not as detailed as these photos.  They just showed a Google satellite image with a line on it.  They had no technical drawings to show exactly where the walls would go on the slope adjacent to the freeway, no section cuts and no drawings relative to the homes directly across the street from the walls.  They've been talking about the sound walls for more than a year now.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 17, 2013.  From Silver Ridge Ave looking toward the northern most point of the wall at Allesandro and Rosebud.  The Red Tailed Hawk nest is at the corner of Rosebud & Allesandro.

Since they had no technical drawings, we really don't know exactly where the wall is supposed to end.  CalTrans seemed a bit vague on that issue too.  Their satellite image shows it ending midway between El Moran & Allesandro, which would be right in the middle of the new homes being constructed in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract on Allesandro St. 

They did however say there would be NO planting of trees or ivy on the freeway side of the wall (above photo).   So everyone on the Silver Lake side of the freeway with a view of the wall, would have a stellar view of the graffiti.   Thanks a lot CalTrans. 

The Metro project manager, Benkin Jong seemed genuinely perplexed at how neighbors could possibly have a view of the wall from the hills on either side of the freeway.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, September 9, 2012.  From the Silver Lake Side of Cove, looking back across toward the Elysian Heights side of the 2 Freeway, the top floor of that apartment building directly across from the proposed sound wall may not benefit from the wall.  Without technical drawings we can't evaluate the benefits to even the people they are purporting to help.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 13, 2013.  If the sound wall comes all the way to Rosebud, the concrete edifice it will create will be significant since the freeway already looms large over the street.  CalTrans said the wall would be at the top of the slope.

Tomorrow, we'll talk about trees, because that's a whole other bone of contention with Metro & CalTrans on the 2 Terminus Project.  

Red Car Property Neighborhood: 1912

Map:  Plate 42, Baist's Atlas, Surveys of Los Angeles, G.W. Baist, 1912. (Click on map to enlarge.)

 

Ten years later, the Asa Hunter Estate was being sold as "Elysian Gardens - Hunter Terrace." 

 

Click here for the "Elysian Gardens - Hunter Terrace" brochure. 

 

 

18 Acre Elysian Park Parcel: Reminder, Keep Your Dogs On A Leash

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 28, 2011.  Diego demonstrates you can still have fun with other dogs on-leash at the 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

A week ago, an off-leash Pit Bull "puppy" attacked an on-leash 25 pound poodle mix on the 18 Acre Elysian Park Parcel off Riverside Drive between Newell & Stadium Way. 

Read the whole story: The Eastsider   

18 Acre Elysian Park Parcel: Ribbon Cutting

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 28, 2011.  City Council President Eric Garcetti introduced longtime activists, Christine Peters, the outgoing current and recently re-elected** President of the Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park (CCSEP) and Cecilia Dominguez, Elysian Valley Neighborhood Council, while kids frolicked on the new playground.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

**Corrected - thanks to a CCSEP boardmember.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 28, 2011.  Former City Councilmember and State Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg joined Garcetti and community members from Elysian Valley and Echo Park for the ribbon cutting. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

 

The 18 Acre park site was once at risk for becoming a Foodcraft Coffee warehouse.  CCSEP fought the proposal as far back as 1989.  Goldberg was City Councilmember for the area when the site was acquired with Prop K funding in the 1990s.   

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 28, 2011.  Unlike the Silver Lake Reservoir Meadow, dogs on leash are allowed on the 18 Acre Elysian Park Annex.  Always pick up after your dogs!  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 28, 2011.  The basketball court closest to Riverside Drive always seems to be in use.  Rec & Parks took down the construction fence, leaving no fence behind the backboards to keep balls and kids out of Riverside Drive.  Last week, I brought this to the attention of CD13 deputy Alejandra Marroquin, who walked a Rec & Parks rep down to the site to address the potential disaster.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 28, 2011.  Lupines and California Poppies attract large bumble bees to the slope facing Riverside Drive.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

18 Acre Elysian Park Annex: Remember This Kid?

Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 28, 2011.  You may remember Ricky from the 2003 photo in the same location on the 18 Acre Elysian Park Annex.  Ricky is 15 now.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

18 Acre Elysian Park Annex: Ribbon Cutting Thursday, April 28, 2011, 4PM

Photo: Diane Edwardson, Spring 2003.  The 18 Acre Elysian Park Parcel doesn't look like this anymore.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Despite being unofficially open for several weeks, there's a ribbon cutting (read: dog & pony show for politicos) today at 4 PM.  

It is the only part of Elysian Park that Red Car Property neighbors can safely walk to on a sidewalk. 

4PM today: Ribbon Cutting
18oo Riverside Drive - between Allesandro and Stadium Way 

18 Acre Elysian Park Parcel: Now Open

Photo: Diane Edwardson, January 21, 2011. Earlier this week, I noticed the fence was open and kids were playing basketball on Riverside Drive. See current photos and story on The Eastsider. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel: Semi-Native Landscape

Photo: Diane Edwardson January 21, 2011. The slopes above the new park contain, among the non-native grasses, native species: "California Manroot" (flowers in the foreground), Toyon (red berries to the right) and California Black Walnut (the trees without leaves in the background). (Click on photo to enlarge.)

18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel: "California Manroot" Blooming On The Slopes

Photo: Diane Edwardson, January 21, 2011. Native wild cucumber or "California Manroot" is blooming on slopes throughout the neighborhood. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Native plants thrive on the steep slopes of the 18-Acre Elysian Park Addition.

18 Acre Elysian Park Addition: They've Been Working On Saturdays!

Photo: Diane Edwardson, January 21, 2011. The 18 Acre Elysian Park Parcel fronts on Riverside between Stadium Way and Newell, adjacent to the 5 Freeway. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

While the above photo was shot last Friday, I've noticed serious work on the 18-Acre Elysian Park Addition on recent Saturdays. They must be in a rush to complete Phase 1 for another political photo op.

Click here for all our 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel photos.

18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel: Toyon

Photo: Diane Edwardson, January 21, 2011. Toyon or Christmas Berries (Heteromeles arbutifolia) are ripening throughout the neighborhood. Toyon is majorly toxic. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel: Politicians With Shovels

Photo: Jonathan Vandiveer, August 17, 2010. Big pile of dirt and politicos in suits with shovels - it must be the groundbreaking for the long-awaited Elysian Park 18-Acre Parcel on Riverside Drive. (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Photo: Jonathan Vandiveer (who shot these photos while holding his 25-lb baby, thanks Jonathan). The site includes the slopes in the background and goes up and over the hill to Whitmore and Landa.

Photo: Jonathan Vandiveer. It's not often you see suits on Riverside Drive.

Photo: Jonathan Vandiveer. The lower portion of the Riverside site will include a parking lot.

Read more about it on The Eastsider.

See all our 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel posts.

18 Acre Elysian Park Parcel: Groundbreaking Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Photo: Diane Edwardson, Spring 2003. The 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel is set back off Riverside Drive, between Allesandro and Stadium Way. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

City Councilmember Eric Garcetti is holding a long-awaited groundbreaking for Phase I of construction of park facilities for the 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel:

Tuesday, Aug 17, 2010
3:30 PM
1800 Riverside Drive
between Allesandro & Stadium Way

Info: Alejandra Marroquin in CD13
(213) 399-4353
alejandra.marroquin@lacity.org

Look out for the poison oak. See all our 18 Acre Elysian Park Parcel photos.

Updated Neighborhood Map

Corralitas Red Car Property Neighborhood. (Click on map to enlarge.)

18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel: *UPDATED Definitely Native Dove Weed

Photo: Diane Edwardson, October 1, 2009. A likely native plant on 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

This plant has been growing in the same location on the 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel since, at least, the late 1990s. It is the only one I've seen in my exploration of vacant parcels in the neighborhood. It's about 4-6" tall, in a patch about 6' in diameter. The spiky filaments on every part of the plant would discourage grazing animals.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, October 1, 2009. Like many natives plants, it is pale in color and drought resistant. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

It grows at the base of the northernmost slope, on the first plateau up from Riverside Drive. According to Figure 2.5 (page 9) on plans posted on Rec & Parks' website, it appears to grow in the path of the berm they plan to build for a bioswale. The plant does not appear to have been mentioned in the environmental review for the park improvements: Chapter 3, also posted on Rec & Parks' Website.

Deadline for public comment:
3PM, Monday, October 19, 2009.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, October 1, 2009. A more normal view of the probably native plant. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

If it is a rare native plant, then we need to ensure Rec & Parks includes it in the environmental review. If you can help identify this plant, please send us an email: redcarproperty@gmail.com. Turkish Rugging was suggested. Looking at CalFlora, we're still looking for an ID.

*UPDATE March 9, 2010. Plant ID via CalFlora: Dove Weed (Croton setigerus), a native plant.

18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel: Tumbleweed

Photo: Diane Edwardson, October 1, 2009. Invasive & non-native, Russian Thistle (Salsola tragus), also known as Tumbleweed, is still sporting leaves and flowers on the 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Rec & Parks has posted the plans and environmental review for the 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel on their website. Deadline for public comment is 3PM, October 19, 2009.

18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel: Horseweed

Photo: Diane Edwardson, October 1, 2009. Calflora lists several species of native and non-native Horseweed as occurring in LA County. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel:Telegraph Weed

Photo: Diane Edwardson, October 1, 2009. Native Telegraph Weed (Heterotheca grandiflora) on the 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Rec & Parks posted plans and environmental review for the 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel on their website. Public comment is open until 3PM, October 19, 2009.

18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel: Problems Past

Photo: Diane Edwardson, October 1, 2009. Dirt bike parts abandoned on the 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

For years, the 18-Acre Elysian Park Parcel (between Riverside Drive and Landa) served as an unofficial dirt bike track. On weekends, a group of local motorcyclists, complete with their families, would park their trucks on Riverside Drive, unload their motorcycles and use the Elysian Park land as their own private off-road course.

Orange traffic cones marked their track. The track even had a jump off the slope near the closed off portion of Landa and Twin Oak St. (a paper street). The pile of parts in the above photo is at the bottom of the jump site. You could hear their motors as far away as Corralitas Drive. It was Elysian Park's version of the X Games.

It took years of pressure by neighbors and Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park to convince CD13, Rec & Parks and LAPD that something needed to be done. Not only was it illegal to ride a motorized vehicle off road in the City, it was a public safety issue and fire hazard.

A few years ago, Rec & Parks finally fenced off the site to prevent vehicular access. It looks like the occasional dirt bike enthusiast still rides the track. In the years since, the flora has grown back and it is as peaceful as a vacant lot can be adjacent to the 5 Freeway.

Rec & Parks posted plans for the 18-Acre Parcel and the environmental review on their website.

Public comment on the environmental review is due by 3PM, October 19, 2009.