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You’re Going to Want to Check Out This Outrageous Milk Shake Pop-Up Coming to L.A. on Saturday

August 10, 2016 by Justin Moore-Brown

Any milk shake enthusiasts out there?

Check it.

This Saturday, Aug. 13 Black Tap NYC will be bringing ALL of the boys to the yard with an exclusive one-day only, West Coast collaboration at IT’SUGAR in Santa Monica.

So, umm, what’s a Black Tap milk shake?

Well, a video produced by Gothamist called it, “The milk shake that broke the internet” and we’re willing to bet it’s more than likely you’ve seen their shakes on Instagram, Facebook, or really anywhere for that matter (even if you didn’t realize it).

via Gothamist / YouTube

Shakes, such as the one shown below, are loaded to the gills, brimming with cavity inducing levels of candy, with frosting and toppings lacquered on so thick they almost seem to defy gravity.

Now as far as this Saturday is concerned…

From 1 to 4 p.m. Black Tap NYC owner Joe Isidori will be on hand to personally whip up the “IT’SUGAR XL Gummy Shake by Black Tap” which will feature a jaw breaker rim, a gigantic gummy bear, a rainbow marshmallow pop, rainbow glitter, and marshmallow chunks in addition to the actual shake, if you even manage to make it that far.

And if the opportunity to try this East Coast classic right here in our own backyard wasn’t exciting enough? According to Eater, they’ll be available for the low, low price of ON THE HOUSE.

As in free. Zero. Zip. Nada (while supplies last).

So if you want to get you want a shot at getting your hands on this exclusive Gummy Shake, come early. Really early.

In fact, just head down tonight after work, because this line is going to be Black-Friday-at-Best-Buy long and we’d really love it if you could save us a spot.

IT’SUGAR is located at 1425 3rd Street Promenade #102, Santa Monica, CA 90401.

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Happenings

So One Of The Sixth Street Bridge’s Arches Will Be Saved and Used in a New Park

July 27, 2016 by Justin Moore-Brown

Good news Sixth Street Bridge fans.

One of the original arches will live on and be be re-homed in a park.

While demolition began on the Sixth Street Bridge back in February, one of the bridge’s iconic arches will be set aside and then placed into “8 acres of landscaping below the new viaduct,” according to a post on the Sixth Street Viaduct Replacement Project’s Facebook page.

According to Mary Nemick, Director of Communications for the Bureau of Engineering, they’ll be working on landscaping plans in the next few months and will also hold community meetings so that residents can provide their input as well.

Sixth Street Bridge

Photo by Amatullah Guyot

At this time it’s not clear which of the arches will be used.

Teardown of the former bridge should be completed in the coming months with new version scheduled to be completed sometime in 2019.

For more updates on the construction of the new Sixth Street Bridge you can visit sixthstreetviaduct.org.

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Food

California Now Has Over 700 Craft Breweries Operating in the State

June 24, 2016 by Justin Moore-Brown

Like the rich, flavorful beers for which it is known, the craft beer movement has been brewing for quite some time now, and Californians – and especially us Angelenos – are finally starting to reap the hoppy, amber-colored rewards.

The California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) recently announced that more than 700 craft breweries are now in operation throughout California, more than doubling in size since 2012.

For anyone who follows the local craft brew scene in Los Angeles this number may not be much of a surprise, as there has been a major influx of breweries in SoCal over the past several years.

Torrance, the Arts District, and the SGV are just some of the recent locales to welcome fresh brew spots to their neighborhoods, including the huge new Lagunitas taproom and brewery set to open this fall in Azusa.

All told, there are now approximately 50 craft breweries making beer in L.A. County, and the boom doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

Burbank Beer Festival

Burbank Beer Festival 2015. Photo credit: Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

As you may recall, four Los Angeles area breweries took home six medals and one took home the title of Best Large Brewpub in the World at the 2016 World Beer Cup on Friday, May 6, with Beachwood BBQ and Brewing getting top honors.

Oh yeah, and let’s not forget that it’s also currently LA Beer Week, which includes an upcoming beer camp at the Queen Mary this weekend.

Long story short: While California may be known for a lot of things: surf, sun, In-N-Out, Hollywood, and The Kardashians, it is quickly also becoming known, and respected, for its craft beers.

And that my friends, is something we can all raise a glass to.

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Food

In-N-Out Once Again Named America’s Top Burger in New Harris Poll

June 16, 2016 by Justin Moore-Brown

If you’ve ever been scrolling through Instagram or Facbeook, you’ve inevitably been seen a glorious picture of a burger followed by a caption that goes something like:

“Just landed at LAX and HAD to make my first stop at In-N-Out for my double-double fix.”

Maybe you’ve seen it. Maybe you’ve been the one posting it. Whatever the case may be, we all know that the love for In-N-Out – especially right here in L.A. – is strong, deep and REAL.

So for those of you who are familiar with the West Coast’s premier burger chain, it should come as no surprise that for the second year in a row, a major national poll has named In-N-Out as America’s favorite burger chain.

The Harris poll, released earlier this week and detailed by San Francisco Business Journal, asked about 97,000 people for their opinions on thousands of brands in various categories, including 60 categories devoted to dining.

Maybe it’s their fresh cut fries, maybe it’s the fresh-never-frozen burgers made to order, or maybe it’s their secret menu items that keep fans coming back for more. There’s just something uniquely Californian about the burger chain, right down to the criss-crossed palm trees, that makes everything you order taste a little bit WAY BETTER than any other burger you’ve had before. It’s that uniqueness that has garnered such a die-hard fanbase, one that will react with incredulous outrage should someone where to ever dare besmirch it’s honor.

Despite the fact that the poll was conducted throughout the United States it was the small, but fierce, number of In-N-Out loyalists was credited with securing the title for their local chain in spite of it’s relatively sparse geographic coverage of the U.S. as a whole.

Harris was apt to compare In-N-Out fans to those of fellow category winners like Dunkin’ Donuts (which garnered awards for best quick service restaurant and best coffee), who have leveraged a fiercely dedicated fan base to reach international brand recognition.

Lisa Recoussine, vice president of client solutions at Nielsen (which owns the Harris Poll) explained to The Business Journal, “Brands who recognize and acknowledge these fans will remain relevant and stay top of mind with consumers’ active brand consideration set, meaning not only do these brands have high familiarity and quality ratings, but they are able to break through and drive consumer behavior.”

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to celebrate this re-acknowledgement of In-N-Out’s greatness with my usual: A double-double, mustard-fried with grilled onions and chopped peppers, animal fries and a lemon-up.

Victory never tasted so good.

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Happenings

REMINDER: Metro’s Bike Share Program to Launch on July 7

June 15, 2016 by Justin Moore-Brown

Dust off those bicycle helmets folks because beginning July 7 the city of Los Angeles will officially launch Metro’s bike sharing program throughout downtown.

The upshot:  1,000 bicycles will be available for use at some 65 downtown L.A. locations including Union Station, City Hall, Grand Park, the L.A. Convention Center, South Park, Chinatown, the Arts District, the Fashion District, Little Tokyo and more.

Bike share stations will be placed within convenient proximity to the Metro Rail and Bus network, offering riders plenty of opportunities to combine bus/rail/bicycle services to reach their destinations.

“We are excited that L.A. will officially join the bike share revolution that is now giving city dwellers across the nation new ways to explore their urban communities,” said Mark Ridley-Thomas, L.A. County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair, per the The Source Metro Blog: “Marrying bicycle and transit trips will go a long way in supporting healthy lifestyles, easing traffic on downtown streets and, perhaps most importantly, getting Angelenos where they need to go in an efficient and affordable manner.”

Metro Bike Share Program

Photo via Metro

The launch of the program is noteworthy as Metro will become the first major transportation agency in America to offer a single card that allows access to both transit and bike share systems.

From July 7 until August 1, 2016 the system will only be accessible to pass holders, after which time the program will be open to all individuals, including walk-up customers. Early pass purchasers will receive a limited edition Metro Bike Share Kit and the first 1,000 people to sign up also receive exclusive Metro bike share pins.

Of course you’re probably wondering… how does the bike share process work? It’s actually really easy!

Pass holders can access any Metro bike from a dock at a station using their Metro bike share-registered TAP card. The TAP card identifies each user to both Metro bike share and Metro transit lines, and you can also load other transit fares on to the TAP to help you get around using other Metro transit options.

The below video via Metro Los Angeles on YouTube breaks down the process.

There are three pass options available for purchase:

  • A monthly pass is $20 per month.
    All trips 30 minutes or less are free and $1.75 per 30 minutes thereafter. This pass option is best if the user expects to take more than five trips per month. People use their registered TAP card to get a bike.
  • A Flex Pass is $40 per year.
    All trips 30 minutes or less are $1.75 and $1.75 per 30 minutes thereafter. This option is best if users expect to take two to five trips per month or want the convenience of using their TAP card to get a bike.
  • A Walk-Up is $3.50 for 30 minutes.
    This option will be available starting August 1. All trips 30 minutes or less are $3.50, and $3.50 per 30 minutes thereafter. An introductory 50 percent discount rate will be offered in August-September. This option is best for tourists and visitors to downtown LA. Users can pay per trip using their credit card at any station kiosk.

For more information and additional resources on the bike share program visit www.bicycletransit.com.

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Happenings

City Council Votes That All L.A. Farmers Markets Need to Accept Food Stamps & EBT

May 17, 2016 by Justin Moore-Brown

The negativeness consequences of poor health and nutrition hit our lowest income residents the hardest, but at least one key roadblock to facilitating access to healthier food has been navigated after the Los Angeles City Council voted this past Friday to draft an ordinance that would make it mandatory for all city farmers markets to accept food stamps and EBT (electronic benefits transfer).

The unanimous vote was 11-0 with four council members absent.

Previous studies by the Los Angeles Food Policy Council have shown that about half of L.A. farmers markets don’t accept EBT, but the road the council wants to go down should see that changing in the very near future.

“In order to create a fair farmers market system that ensures all Angelenos, regardless of income level, have access to healthy foods, we need a policy that requires those farmers markets to accept EBT,” said City Councilmember Jose Huizar in a press release (via LA Weekly).

Santa Monica Farmers Market

The Santa Monica Farmers Market, which currently accepts EBT. Photo Credit: Brian Champlin

Food For Thought

According to LA County data, there are over a million people in the L.A. area utilize CalFresh to buy groceries each month while even more qualify for the program but haven’t enrolled.

And while you can still walk down the street to a Taco Bell or Burger King and leverage EBT for food, more than half of farmers markets in L.A. don’t accept EBT.

“It seemed very curious to us that farmers markets, which we all love, are not as inclusive to our low income neighbors as they could be,” said Clare Fox, executive director of the L.A. Food Policy Council, per KPCC.

Fox acknowledges that some markets have been reluctant to adopt EBT but also noted that many simply don’t know about the program, and that others see the adoption of EBT as an avenue towards reaching additional customers.

One of the hurdles towards getting widespread support is that the set up takes a lot of paperwork which may make it hard for markets, typically operated by volunteers who come and go.

But Huizar made it clear those minor issues pale in comparison to the health concerns facing the city.

“If you have a farmer’s market that doesn’t have EBT, that individual who uses it is going to to go to a local store that perhaps doesn’t have fresh fruit and vegetables, so at the end of the day this is going to allow for a healthier individual with the use of EBT and a healthier Los Angeles,” Huizar said.

Silver Lake Farmers Market

Silver Lake Farmers Market. Credit: Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

So What’s Next?

While this past Friday’s vote sends a strong signal, implementation of the order is a bit muddier.

Certification by the USDA is required for the process to move forward, and that along could take two months.

After certification it would take another six months for the ordinance to be in full effect.

For more information, check out the Los Angeles Food Policy Council’s EBT at farmers markets FAQ page.

If you’d like more information about Farmer’s Markets near you, you can read our handy day-by-day list of markets in LA.

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Happenings

So There’s a Big ‘BioBlitz’ Coming to the Santa Monica Mountains This Week

May 15, 2016 by Justin Moore-Brown

Griffith Park’s mountain lion, P-22, has become a symbol for wildlife in the greater Los Angeles area. But he and his fellow charismatic cats that roam these mountains are just one end of the food chain. Below them is a rich and diverse array of plants and animals, from ubiquitous coyotes to elusive ringtail cats, fragrant sagebrush to the brilliantly blue Parry’s phacelia wildflower.

That’s one reason why Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is one of several sites across the country concurrently hosting a BioBlitz during the National Park Service’s centennial year.

So… what’s a BioBlitz?

A BioBlitz is a quest to discover living organisms through public involvement. During these rapid biological surveys, scientists and volunteers of all ages and backgrounds work together to compile a “snapshot” of biodiversity in a short span of time, in this case, the week of May 16-21.

via National Geographic Education / YouTube

“The Santa Monica Mountains are a biodiversity hotspot,” says David Szymanski, superintendent for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. “Just in plants alone, there over 1,200 species. The BioBlitz is an opportunity to come out and see the mountains in a very cool and different way.”

The BioBlitz kicks off this Monday at 10 a.m. with a marine-themed collection and identification event at the Malibu Pier put together by the National Parks Service and Natural History Museum scientists. There will also be a second edition of the marine event scheduled for Thursday, May 19.

The highlight of the week will be the free, family-friendly BioBlitz Festival at Paramount Ranch during the weekend.

On Friday, May 20 from 7 to 10 p.m., festival goers can go on an interactive night hike, look through high-powered telescopes, make nocturnal-themed arts and crafts, listen to talks from experts on topics from owls to light pollution, and enjoy a children’s reading stage.

Then on Saturday, between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the festival will include an interactive hike, amphibian and reptile pitfall trapping demos, native plant restoration, children’s activities like the Puma Challenge, and ways for kids to earn the Centennial Junior Ranger Badge.

The BioBlitz posits itself as an opportunity for participants to explore nature with expert guides, assist in important research initiatives and, most importantly, make new friends and celebrate public parks.

In the decade leading up to the National Park Service centennial, National Geographic and the National Park Service have collaborated on a BioBlitz in a different national park each year.

In 2016, to celebrate the centennial, over 250 BioBlitzes are happening across the country and throughout the year.

Sound like something you might be into?

Get more info on the full schedule of events plus how to participate nps.gov.

Enjoy!

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Happenings

LA County is Having a ‘Bike to Work Day’ This Thursday

May 14, 2016 by Justin Moore-Brown

In the immortal words of Freddie Mercury:

Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it…..to work?

That last line may not have actually happened but you can join thousands of other bike commuters around Los Angeles County and ride to work on two wheels as part of LA County’s Bike to Work Day, happening this Thursday, May 19.

Never tried commuting to work by bicycle? Bike to Work Day is the perfect day to put the plan into gear.

To make your bike commute super easy and fun there will be pit stops located around the county to provide you with tips, refreshments and more!

Also there’s this added bonus: If you’re commuting by bike you get free rides on Metro! Click here to review Metro’s map of pit stops on their bike month event map.

LA County’s Bike to Work Day is part of a national month-long celebration of the bicycle. Bike-related events throughout LA during May include group rides, workshops and community-hosted events, all intended for citizens of all ages.

Whether you ride for fitness, transportation or for fun, you can find an event for you and maybe try something new.

The list of events includes Bike Safety 101 Classes and Rides, CicLAVia Southeast LA, a Bike Rodeo, an LA River Bike Trail Gallery & Toxic Tour, Women’s Night on Bikes and so much more. Click here to view the full calendar of events for Bike Month.

To conclude you month the public is also to join in at Union Station on May 27 for Bike Night, a Metro-hosted event filled with food, fun, and bikes.

Enjoy the ride!

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Fun Stuff, Happenings

So There’s a ‘Lost Episode’ of Huell Howser’s ‘California’s Gold’ Set to Air This Monday on KCET

May 9, 2016 by Justin Moore-Brown

If you’re a Californian who adores road trips, local characters, pie shops, old diners, long-standing traditions, and everything else that is the Golden State then you’re probably already well acquainted with Huell Howser.

He was as quintessential to their Cali experience as animal fries and a double-double from In-N-Out or Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles and his passing in 2013 left a void for many viewers around the state.

The always affable travel host, a friendly fixture on public television for more than 30 years, knew how to connect with Californians where they lived, doing what they love to do. It was powerful TV, positive and kind, and darn it, watching him explore your own backyard was just plain fun.

Well, the good news is, this Monday at 7 p.m., you’ll get one more chance to hear that affable voice “Woooowwwwwwww” his way into your homes again when KCET will be airing a lost episode of California’s Gold.

The theme of Huell’s FINAL final (unless they find another lost episode) will be about El Alisal, the former residence of author and historian Charles F. Lummis.

The concrete-and-rock Highland Park house was the “epicenter of cultural activity” in early twentieth century L.A. The home was built almost entirely by Lummis himself and completed in 1904, replete with a 30-foot tower, a 28-by-16-foot “museo,” and legendary parties.

If you’re hoping that Huell will stroll the abode, microphone in hand with a single cameraperson in tow, as was his classic style, get excited: That’s how the interview-centered episode will roll.

A new California’s Gold is a big deal for the host’s many devotees, people who’ve not only used his travel tips for their own explorations, but, more importantly, who’ve been inspired to get acquainted with the people living in the places they visit.

After all, Mr. Howser was a famous people person, encouraging and easy to chat with, and his frequent interjections of “that’s amazing!” gave his interviews a buoyancy that’s hard for any other broadcaster to match.

So if you’re one of the Californians who’s managed to watch the over 1,000 episodes of various public television series, be sure to tune in to KCET on Monday, May 9 at 7 p.m. (or a follow-up airing on May 10 at 8:30 p.m.) to go on one last adventure with Mr. Huell Howser.

[h/t LAist]

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Happenings

Free Comic Book Day Returns to L.A. on The First Saturday of May

May 1, 2016 by Justin Moore-Brown

Comic book fans….ASSEMBLE!

That’s right folks, Free Comic Book Day is around the corner, taking place on Saturday, May 7 at participating comic book stores throughout Los Angeles (and all over the U.S.).

If you’re asking yourself… “Self, what is ‘Free Comic Book Day?'”… the answer is pretty simple.

Free Comic Book Day is special day held annually on the first Saturday in May when participating comic book and specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops.

This video pretty much sums it up:

via Free Comic Book Day / YouTube

Some of the local spots participating in Free Comic Book Day include:

To find the closest store participating in Free Comic Book Day, use the store locator tool on the official website.

Additionally, the Knitting Factory Entertainment and Blastoff Comics have teamed up to bring comic book fans an afternoon to remember at The Federal Bar North Hollywood for the 2nd Annual Blastoff Comicsfest from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Come visit with comic creators from Marvel; Dark Horse; IDW Publishing; DC and more, as they sign comics, give away free sketches and meet one-on-one with fans young and old. Admission to the festival is free. There will also be a beer garden, food stations, live DJ, costumed hero photo ops, and of course, plenty of free comics!

Comic creators scheduled to appear at the festival include Cecil Castellucci (Star Wars: Moving Target, Plain Janes); Christos Gage (Rom: Spaceknight, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 10); Joelle Jones (Lady Killer, Superman: American Alien);Nicholas Meyer (The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan); Steve Niles (The October Faction, Monster and Madman); Jamie S. Rich (Lady Killer, Ares & Aphrodite); Chris Ryall (Rom: Spaceknight, String Divers, Onyx); Tad Stones(Darkwing Duck, Hellboy: Sword of Storms); Craig Thompson (Blankets, Habibi, Space Dumplins); and Chris Yost (X-Men, Avengers).

2nd Annual Blastoff Comicsfest

The festival will also feature a special ticketed event: Hollywood Writer’s Roundtable. The roundtable will discuss issues associated with comic books and genre literature increasingly becoming the most popular source for televisionand movies.

Panelists include screenwriter Carl Gottlieb (Jaws, The Jerk); director Nicholas Meyer (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek VI: The Voyage Home); Executive Producer Quinton Peeples (Netflix’s Iron Fist); writer Brigitte Hales (Hulu’s 11/22/63, Once Upon a Time); and writer Jim Kreuger (The High Cost of Happily Ever After, Justice). This event will be moderated by Michael Stradford, Director of Enhanced Content for Warner Home Entertainment. Tickets are available here.

Definitely expect a line no matter where you choose to go, so arrive early and avoid hulking out over long lines and comic book shortages.

The organizers of Free Comic Day would also remind you to contact your local store to see what their Free Comic Book Day policy plans are in addition to what extra events are going to be taking place during their FCBD. Some comics shops give out 1-2 comics, while others give out more.

However you choose to celebrate, remember to mark the date, Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and head on down to The Federal Bar North Hollywood as well as your local participating Comic Book store and celebrate Free Comic Book Day with True Believers across the nation.

EXCELSIOR!

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Happenings

The Broad is Introducing a New Ticketing Schedule to Make It Easier to Reserve Tix

April 27, 2016 by Justin Moore-Brown

The Broad is going to get a whole lot easier to get into (hopefully) thanks to a revamped ticketing schedule which means plenty more opportunities to fill your Insta-feed and create some seriously ironic (or is it iconic?) Snaps.

With tons of free exhibits by popular artists such as Warhol, Koons, Haring, Lichtenstein, and more, it’s no wonder The Broad usually “sells” out months ahead of time.

According to the L.A. Times, the wait for the standby line takes about 45-minutes on weekdays and up to twice as long on weekends.

All that is going to change soon though, as The Broad announced Tuesday that a new ticketing schedule will be released to help alleviate some of the headache to get tickets.

Beginning May 1 at noon PT, advance admission tickets will be released online on the first of each month for the following month (e.g., on May 1, tickets for June will be released; on June 1, tickets for July will be released, etc.).

Infinity Room

Infinity Mirrored Room Selfie. Photo credit: Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

This summer, the Broad will feature a collection of works by Cindy Sherman—their first special exhibition that requires paid admission.

Tickets to Cindy Sherman: Imitation of Life will be $12 for adults and free for visitors 17 and under, and special exhibition tickets will also include access to the full museum.

Oh, and just an FYI for those still waiting to see the Infinity Mirrored Room, the exhibit will be on view through fall 2016.

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Lifestyle

So There’s a Grassroots Proposal to Turn The Silver Lake Reservoir Into a Huge Park

April 26, 2016 by Justin Moore-Brown

If you work, play or live in the Silver Lake area you’ve probably had occasion to happen upon the Silver Lake Reservoir that residents have been making part of their jogging routines and early morning yoga sessions for quite a while.

You probably also noticed that it currently sits empty.

What you may not have heard of though is that plans are being proposed to reutrn the Silver Lake Reservoir’s former glory and transform it into 96-acres of nature-y goodness.

And when you see a mock-up design that looks like this (see image below) it’s hard not to get a bit intrigued.

Silver Lake Forward Reservoir Plan

Image via Silver Lake Forward

First though, let’s give a little background.

The Great Drain

The Silver Lake Reservoir ended its tenure as a reservoir and source of drinking water back in 2014 when the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has made its decision to empty the reservoir rather than tear up part of West Silver Lake Boulevard for its Lower Reach River Supply Conduit Project (which is replacing the reservoir with a new one north of Griffith Park that meets federal standards for drinking water).

The process took several weeks and the roughly 400 million gallons of water drained out of the reservoir was treated by “portable units” and returned to the drinking water supply for L.A.

The Replacement Reservoir

The LADWP broke ground on the Headworks Reservoir project back in 2012, kicking off a project that will place two subterranean concrete reservoirs holding a total of 110 million gallons of water and “a small hydroelectric power plant that is expected to generate enough electricity to pay for itself,” at the north end of Griffith Park, between Forest Lawn Drive and the LA River. The 43-acre Headworks project is part of LADWP’s efforts to stay in line with federal drinking water rules, which forbid untreated, uncovered open air reservoirs.

The full project is expected to be finished in 2017, after which the real fun begins.

What Do You Do With A Retired Reservoir?

The answer is, apparently, any number of things. There are several ideas being floated such as a plan to turn it into an esplanade, while another plan suggests trading in the chain fences and concrete for a more aesthetically pleasing beach complete with swim lanes.

The latest plan comes from a local group called Silver Laker Forward, that includes Landscape architect Mia Lehrer, singer-songwriter Moby as board members, and Puck Creative Group lead Robert Soderstrom as president of the organization.

Silver Lake Forward Design Comp

Image via Silver Lake Forward

SLF’s proposal includes a number of potential amenities for the park, including promenades, docks, walking paths and landscaping. Additionally, the group even proposes linking the reservoirs to the L.A. River through existing pipes, creating a a storage facility for storm runoff and recycled water.

The vision for the new park would be implemented over four stages:

Phase 1A: Enhance visitor experience to the existing Silver Lake Meadows through increasing shade, adding bathrooms, and implementing the original concept for the meadow. Estimated time frame: 3-6 months starting immediately.

Phase 1B: Increase public accessibility to the west side of the site through moving fencing, adding pathways, and limiting access during Great Blue Heron nesting season. Estimated time frame: 3-6 months starting after Phase 1A.

Phase 1C: Establish a Master Plan Committee to provide leadership on issues of governance, management, and strategy, with an aim to create a long-term plan on a range of key aspects of the park. Estimated time frame: 6-12 months starting immediately, concurrent with Phase 1A.

Phase 2: Implement plan from Phase 1C. Estimated time frame: 6-12 months

Image via Silver Lake Forward

So What’s Next?

While SLF’s proposal has a big vision and some unique ideas, the biggest hurdle (as it usually is) would probably be regarding money.

No funding mechanism is currently in place for this plan, but according to Urbanize LA the organizers behind SLF are looking to create a parks assessment district which could provide ongoing support via a supplement to existing property taxes.

For those interested in finding out more about the issue and details on this particular plan we’ve included a few links so you can get familiar with more perspectives on the project:

And if you want to share your thoughts on this particular proposal, feel free to leave a comment below.

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