Gary Leonard discusses the 2011-2013 Echo Park Lake Revitalization Project

Legendary L.A. photographer Gary Leonard joins local historian Kevin Kuzma from the Echo Park Historical Society to discuss the Echo Park Lake revitalization of 2011-1013 at the Edendale Library!

An iconic symbol of our city, Echo Park Lake has been at the center of Los Angeles history for over 150 years. Originally developed in the 1860s as a reservoir for drinking water, the city turned the lake and its surroundings into a recreational park in the 1890s. After a hundred years of canoeing, picnicking and urban growth, by the early 2000s the lake was polluted, choked with algae, and ready for a major upgrade. It was closed off and drained in 2011 – the lakebed was improved, and walking paths, lighting, and new plants and trees were installed. The grand reopening in 2013 was hailed as a fabulous restoration of one of our finest parks, with wetlands added to filter the water and restore the lake’s role as a functioning part of the surrounding watershed.

Gary Leonard photographed the two-year revitalization process, and was able to explore the drained lakebed, from which he retrieved some fascinating historical artifacts. Local historian and craftsman Kevin Kuzma from the Echo Park Historical Society and Gary present a conversation and a look back at this momentous project. Join us Saturday October 5th at 1:00 p.m. in the library meeting room to share Gary’s photos, hear the stories, and see some of the artifacts that were found when the lake was drained.

The Edendale library address is 2011 Sunset Blvd., but enter from the Alvarado St. side through the library parking lot. Email [email protected] for more information.

Host or Publisher Edendale Branch Library