Highland, Echo, Glassell, Elysian, Griffith: it seems like LA has a million parks. In reality, the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Dept. oversees 559 parks with plenty of activities to choose from: be you a skater, lover, reader, writer, hanger-outer, photographer, member of the community, tourist or hyper-local journalist who ventured onto two of them.
Echo Park: Feb. 14 (Valentines Day)
That day, Echo Park was full of couples of all kinds, sitting, strolling and sunbathing. While most were also being harassed by Echo Park’s infamous gaggle of Canada geese, Andrew Flaherty and Bridget Mitchell, who recently moved to Burbank, said they enjoyed a romantic afternoon on the swan boats in spite of the geese.
“We saw one chasing another and getting clotheslined by one of the wires out there,” said Flaherty, on the fowl situation. “It was crazy.”
Mitchell and Flaherty said it was their first time in Echo Park, and that it had been a great experience, so far.
“We’ve loved it so far,” said Flaherty. “We actually only came here for the swan boats but we are going to do a walk around the lake now.”
The swan-themed pedal boats are run by company Wheel Fun Rentals and not officially overseen by LARAP, and cost $12 a person.
Mitchell and Flaherty said the toilets were their only gripe with the park, but otherwise they found no issues.
“We’ve been to parks in the past where there is trash sitting there for a while and the water is super dirty,” said Flaherty. “This one, as far as the upkeep [goes], is pretty nice.”
During the pandemic, Echo Park was mired in controversy when a community of more than 200 unhoused people settled there until they were evicted in March 2021. The city had previously spent $75 million upgrading the park.
Jonathan Jay, Echo Park local and English teacher at St. Francis High School in La Cañada, said that the park’s closure had been tough on the community.
“I think it really impacted everyone’s well-being,” said Jay. “Especially during Covid when we needed to get outside. I think it’s a place where people come and de-stress from everyday life.”
Jay, who was sitting grading papers on the lawn, said that he tries to get to the park once a day to walk around, and twice a weekend to read. He said that while there is plenty to do in LA, much of it is inaccessible.
“I mean, even if you do drive, the traffic to get to even Griffith Observatory is just not worth it,” Jay said. “If there’s a place you can walk to that’s a few blocks away, it makes a big difference.”
Glassell Park: Feb. 16, lunchtime
The Glassell Recreation Center and Youth Center is bustling, from the pool, to the basketball and tennis courts, the soccer pitch and the exercise machines.
Jill Pasiecnik, a Glassell Park local, sat with her dog and watched it all unfold.
“Every time I’ve come here I’ve seen soccer teams using the field, kids watching their sisters and brothers play their sports,” Pasiecnik said. “The pool has after-school activities and even swim teams that use it. The baseball teams [play] when that’s in season, too.”
Pasiecnik, a recreational swimmer, said she appreciated Glassell Park for giving her access to a high-quality swimming center.
“I love Glassell Park,” said Pasiecnik. “I use the pool probably weekly. I think it’s one of the most stunning public pools that I’ve ever used. It’s super clean, heated, outdoors and super affordable: like $4 to get in.”
Pasiecnik said she often walks her dog in the park, and has no complaints — aside from a couple squirrel holes she’s tripped in a few times.
“I find it to be really clean and really nice. I’ve been to a few other parks in Eagle Rock and I really don’t have any complaints. It seems like a really nice community center,” said Pasiecnik.
Pasiecnik said that local green space is vital for the well-being of the local community.
“I think it’s critical for the community to keep the parks alive,” said Pasiecnik. “Keeping kids occupied and active outdoors [and giving them] opportunities to spend time with their families and friends is critical.”
Contact Will White at wwhite@oxy.edu
