***MacArthur Park***
Rating: 2.5 Paws
Location:
2230 W. 6th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90057 2230 W. 6th St.
MacArthur Park, a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument, was founded in 1886 and was originally named Westlake Park because it was built around a natural lake on the Western edge of downtown. It got it's current name in 1942 in honor of General Douglas MacArthur.
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| Behind me is one of the many sculptures that can be found near the park's entrances. |
The park has a fascinating history. It was considered a "civic treasure" in it's early years and people even wrote songs about it as recently as the 1960's (btw - the rumors of rain soaked cake are greatly exaggerated - I sniffed everywhere). Unfortunately, the park became known as a gang hangout in the 1980's and had a very bad reputation until about 10 years ago, when a revitalization program made it a much safer place to visit...but Pack Leader says he still wouldn't come at night.
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| This place has lots of colorful birds...and colorful people too. |
We visited on a weekday morning and there was plenty of metered parking on S. Park View St. between 6th and 7th streets. You could also take the subway here, but then your dog couldn't come and that would be a shame. Everyone knows that a visit to the park is much better with a dog.
There are plenty of water fountains, so you won't need to carry the dog's water, but there are no poop bag dispensers so make sure you've got your baggies.
Its a big park (32 acres) but was split in two when Wilshire Bl. was extended in the 1930's. Today, two tunnels go under the road and connect both sides of the park.
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| Sometimes its art, sometimes its just graffiti... |
The Southern half has a bird-filled lake with a couple of small islands and a fountain. A paved walkway goes around the lake. There are benches and some grassy areas where you can relax and enjoy the scenery.
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| The lake was once a drinking water reservoir; today its "gone to the birds". |
The birds have a nice place to live considering they're in the middle of one the largest cities in the world; but watch out for the geese! These "city geese" are obnoxious and are not to be messed with. I tried to say hello to one of them - he tried to bite me and chased me away!
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| Keep an eye out for this guy...he's one mean goose. |
The Northern section of the park has soccer fields, a playground, a recreation center, and a stage where concerts are held during the summer. There are also a few spots where you can roll in the grass under a shady tree. A paved walkway connects all of it.
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| What used to be a hangout for troublemakers is now a nice place relax and play. |
***Echo Park Lake***
Rating: 3.5 Paws
Location:
751 Echo Park Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Echo Park Lake, in conjunction with the lakes at MacArthur Park and Lincoln Park, was originally built in the 1860s as a reservoir for drinking water. The surrounding park was added in the mid 1890's and it has undergone many changes over the years, including being closed off and drained in 2011.
The park reopened in 2013 after a $45 million renovation which cleaned up the water, added a new observation deck, and built a very nice paved walking path around the lake. The famous lotus beds have been replanted as well and covered with black mesh netting to protect them.
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| The original lotus species was restored thanks to some illegal "flower-napping" |
There is street parking available all around the park and there's a small parking lot by the boathouse.
Water fountains are located near the main entrances but there are no poop bag dispensers to be found.
At the North end of the park there are a bunch of trees and about and acre of grass to frolic in as well as a playground, a boathouse, and a statue of the "Lady of The Lake".
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| I wish I could jump in but I'll settle for a nice roll in the grass. |
If you want a snack or a cup of coffee, there's a small cafe with a dog-friendly patio and you humans can rent paddle boats while you're there.
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| The lighthouse is a nice touch, but I'm not allowed on the boats...bummer. |
Of course there were a bunch of birds in the lake, but I made friends with a turtle while I was rolling in the grass...an unexpected bonus.
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| Hi Mr. Turtle. You're much friendlier than the goose I met at MacArthur Park... |
There's also an island that was home to a bunch of birds and other wildlife, but we couldn't visit because the bridge to it was closed. Its a pretty bridge, but what good is a bridge if you can't cross it?
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Oh well, Pack Leader says its time to go home now, but make sure you tell your pack that you want to visit these great parks. And don't forget to check out my website for some more fun places to visit.
See you at the park!
Chloe Canine-Angeleno
Much of the information I've shared in this blog came from the following sources:
KCET
Echo Park Historical Society
All photographs were taken by my pack leader, Jim Gross
Everything else was discovered by getting my paws dirty and the extensive use of my nose.
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