Title supplied by cataloger. Temporary fencing was installed around Echo Park Lake during a two-year, $45 million revitalization project of the neighborhood landmark, which was originally built as a drinking water reservoir in the 1860s. The lake was closed off and drained in the summer of 2011. The rehabilitation project tackled Echo Park Lake, the park surrounding the lake, it added a new observation deck, new walking path, numerous informational signs and improved the landscaping. In addition, it brought back the lotus beds that had mysteriously died off, and restored the original boathouse. The Lady of the Lake statue came back to the park as well, but in a different location. The statue, formally known as "Nuestra Reina de Los Angeles" (or "Queen of Angels") was built by artist Ada May Sharpless in the 1930s, and was dedicated in May 1935. She was originally placed facing away from the lake on its northern side. Eventually, the statue was put into storage in the 1980s and replaced with a pump station; she was later re-installed on the east side of the park where the figure faced the water. Today, the Lady of the Lake is back in her original spot at the top of a peninsula that juts into the northern part of the lake, with her back to the water. Two workers with the help of a backhoe, can be seen digging around the foundation in which the Lady of the Lake statue will permanently reside. To the right, fencing surrounds the Echo Park Lake as the revitalization project gets underway. Photograph dated August 23, 2011.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print:color ;11 x 16 cm. Photographic prints
Statues--California--Echo Park (Los Angeles) Construction workers--California--Los Angeles Lakes--California--Echo Park (Los Angeles) Urban lakes--California--Echo Park (Los Angeles) Parks--California--Echo Park (Los Angeles) Palms--California--Los Angeles Cranes, derricks, etc.--California--Los Angeles Echo Park (Los Angeles, Calif.) Gary Leonard Collection photographs Sharpless, Ada May
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