The Silver Lake Reservoirs Conservancy has been instrumental in the many improvements to the Reservoir complex over the past few years—the new path along Silverlake Blvd. is one of them, along with the opening of the Meadow last year. In this top photo, we see some folks enjoying the path, or at least getting their important daily dose of exercise!

The popularity of the Meadow (just go there any weekend afternoon and see all the kites and kids!) made it imperative to provide a safe way to cross busy Silverlake Blvd., especially since all the parking spaces are located across the street from the Reservoir complex. Thanks to Councilmen Eric Garcetti’s and Tom LaBonge’s help, the City of Los Angeles installed a pedestrian crosswalk by the classic Neutra ” VDL” house just across the boulevard from the Meadow (bottom photo). 

Come on out and enjoy with us!

The proposed new maps for the Los Angeles City Council’s 15 districts were released today, January 25th, and they place the Reservoir complex in one district, instead of being split in two, as it is now:

http://graphics.latimes.com/la-council-redistricting/

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-city-redistricting-20120126,0,7773637.story

The proposed map places the Reservoir wholly within the Fourth District, a seat now held by Tom LaBonge.  Current district boundaries place the southeast end of the Reservoir in Councilman Eric Garcetti’s 13th District and the northwest end in the Fourth.

The City must redraw its lines every 10 years to reflect population and demographic changes.  The redistricting process is overseen by a Redistricting Commission, which then presents its maps to the Council, which must adopt a plan by March 1.  The new lines will take effect this year, and will impact elections in 2013 (when Garcetti is termed out) and 2015 (when LaBonge is termed out). 

The Commission will now take the draft proposed maps out to a series of community meetings and public hearings over the next month.  It is possible that the maps will change, but probably not by much.  The new maps must reflect the fact that the San Fernando Valley grew over the past decade, while many areas of the central city, including Silver Lake, stayed the same or even lost some population.   They also must comply with the Federal Voting Rights Act.

A State Commission recently redrew State Legislative and Congressional lines—the Reservoir will soon be in US Rep. Adam Schiff’s district, Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s district and State Senator Kevin de Leon’s district.  Schiff and de Leon will be representing the Reservoir for the first time, while Gatto is the current Assemblymember.

Should sheep be used to keep the grass and weed the Silver Lake Meadow?  The Neighborhood Council considers it:

http://echopark.patch.com/articles/should-sheep-groom-silver-lake-reservoir-path

Craig Collins, a resident of Silver Lake for almost thirty years, was elected president of the SLRC at its November board meeting last week.  He takes over leadership of the Conservancy from outgoing president Noah Stein.

Craig was active in conservation efforts in the Pacific Northwest prior to moving to Los Angeles, where he spearheaded efforts to create a National Scenic Area in the Columbia Gorge.  He also worked to develop solar and conservation energy policies for the Western states.

Currently he creates comprehensive visual and written strategic communications for a variety of non-profit, conservation and community organizations.

Also elected to continue serving in their posts as incumbents were Cherie Miller, vice-president; Herb Gold, treasurer; and Leslie Edmonds, secretary.

The City Maven, a blog that covers Los Angeles City Hall, recently posted a story about the Headworks by Travel Town, which will feature underground reservoirs that will replace Silver Lake and Ivanhoe in a couple of years.  The story tied the project to possible DWP rate hikes:

http://www.thecitymaven.com/2011/11/09/dwp-reservoir-project-linked-to-proposed-water-rate-increases/