Since the formation of the SLRC (formerly Committee to Save Silver Lake’s Reservoirs) in 1989, our core focus has been to advocate on behalf of the community’s preferences with respect to use of the reservoir property to the LADWP and the City of Los Angeles.

Our objective is to solicit, collect and assess the thoughts, desires and expectations of the community having to do with the reservoir property and advocate accordingly with relevant government agencies.  Over the years, there have been scores of workshops, surveys and public meetings which have provided opportunities to share information, answer questions, and have robust discussions concerning the reservoir property.

In 2009, The Committee to Save Silver Lake’s Reservoirs changed its name to the Silver Lake Reservoirs Conservancy, acknowledging the enormous accomplishment of saving the open water reservoirs and recognizing the need to focus on the community’s interests in preserving and enhancing the future for this open space.   As part of its ongoing community surveying process, in 2009 and 2010 respectively, SLRC mailed out 2 comprehensive surveys to a total of 1,500 households to update and compare data to previous survey efforts.  The objective was to compare community interests today to those expressed during the 1999 reservoir master plan creation.  A total of 1,500 surveys sent were sent, and 527 responses were received, representing a remarkable response rate of 37.5%.

While not a fully scientific, our design and implementation methodology was fairly rigorous.  Our survey populations were selected at random, using third-party household data providers, and the survey was designed and distributed for maximum ease of use and response.

The first survey, created and distributed in late 2009, was mailed to 500 residents who had moved to their present address in Silver Lake within the previous 3 years.  The second survey (early 2010) was sent to 1,000 random addresses as selected by a commercial mailing house.

By and large, the overall result was consistent with results found since CSSLR began facilitating community meetings in 1999, at which time the Silver Lake reservoirs master plan was created.  In summary, most respondents wanted more access to open space while minimizing certain ‘active use’ attractions such as organized sports.

A substantial majority of people expressed a desire to have a walking path in the Eucalyptus Grove, as long as it doesn’t disturb the Great Blue Herons, and supported opening of the Meadow area.  With respect to the Great Blue Heron concern, we have consulted with the Audubon society and based on how content the herons are with such close proximity to traffic and other urban distractions, we were assured that the herons are well-adapted to their urban setting.

With this updated information, we feel that the key tenets of the master plan are still an accurate reflection of the community’s desires – the creation of more community accessible open space, thoughtfully planned.  Moving into the future, we recognize and are planning for a new phase of research, community engagement and interaction which will be critical leading into the planned de-commissioning of the Reservoirs as a drinking water source in 2015.

We’ve compiled the totals for both the 2009 and 2010 surveys the Silver Lake Reservoir Conservancy have sent out.

For a complete list of the 2009 survey questions, responses and comments
Click Here SLRC 2009 SURVEY RESPONSES.

For a complete list of the 2010 survey questions, responses and comments
Click Here SLRC 2010 SURVEY RESPONSES.

Both pages contain downloads of PDF files and will require Adobe Acrobat or another PDF reader.