After losing the boats due to funding cuts, and then getting the boats back this summer, and then losing them again, the lake's boats will be put back on the water this weekend. It's surprising that the boats haven't tried to commit suicide by drowning themselves--even they must be sick of this battle. But locals are happy to see their foot-powered fun return--from the press release: '"The paddle boats are something that people of all generations can enjoy that doesn’t involve sugar or television. The boats contribute to the safety of the park and give it a more family-friendly appeal. Their return continues the history of boat rentals, which has been going on in Echo Park for over a century,' said Martin Cox, who lives across the street from the lake." [Image via LAObserved.com]
GARCETTI, REYES ANNOUNCE RETURN OF PADDLE BOATS TO ECHO PARK AND
MACARTHUR PARK
Los Angeles – Paddle boats will return to Echo Park Lake and
MacArthur Park this Saturday, Council President Eric Garcetti and
Councilmember Ed Reyes announced today. The boats have not been in
operation since Labor Day, when the Department of Recreation and Parks
ceased boat rentals due to lack of funding for the program.
During the winter, the boats will be available for rent on weekends and
holidays between 12:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. In the spring, boats will be
available on the same days until 5:30 p.m. During the summer, the boats
will operate seven days a week from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. until June
30, the end of the city’s fiscal year. Garcetti and Reyes are
committed to finding a more permanent funding source for future years.
“The Echo Park and MacArthur Park boats are back and families can
once again come out for a fun day on the lake,” said Garcetti.
“These boats have been part of this community for decades, and we
want many more generations of Angelenos to be able to enjoy pedaling
around the lake in these great parks.”
“When you look at how park-poor many of the city's neighborhoods are, preserving the paddle boats is especially important," said Councilmember Ed P. Reyes. “For many urban families, a paddle boat ride at Echo Park or MacArthur Park is a rare opportunity to experience the tranquil beauty of gliding across the lake.”
Earlier this year, the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
had announced that the paddle boat operations at both parks would close
at the end of June. At that time, Garcetti and Reyes began working
closely with the Department to identify funds from the existing budget
to keep the boats afloat through the summer. They also pledged to find
funding to bring the boats back into operation permanently.
“The paddle boats are something that people of all generations can
enjoy that doesn’t involve sugar or television. The boats contribute
to the safety of the park and give it a more family-friendly appeal.
Their return continues the history of boat rentals, which has been going
on in Echo Park for over a century,” said Martin Cox, who lives across the street from the lake.
###
HOURS OF PADDLE BOAT OPERATIONS
WINTER
Saturday and Sunday
December 1, 2007 - March 30, 2008
12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
SPRING
Saturday and Sunday
April 5, 2008 - June 21, 2008
12:00 PM - 5:30 PM
SUMMER
Sunday through Saturday
June 22, 2008 - June 30, 2008
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
*Boats will also be available on Martin Luther King Day, President's
Day, Cesar Chavez Day and Memorial Day holidays.
· Fun On The Lake! [Curbed LA]
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