<\/p>\n
The Lincoln Park Lake Boathouse.<\/p>\n
Photo by Jesus Sanchez<\/p>\n
Lincoln Heights\u2014It has been a rough stretch for Lincoln Park.<\/p>\n
One of L.A.\u2019s first urban parks, the 145-year-old greenspace has drawn attention for all the wrong reasons: thefts from the recreation center, stolen copper wiring, vandalized monuments, two dead dogs found in the lake and, in March, a park employee threatened by a homeless man with what turned out to be a BB gun, according to a park official.<\/p>\n
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More recently, a man drowned in the lake<\/a> while trying to rescue his son.<\/p>\n Richard Zaldivar, founder and executive director of The Wall Las Memorias<\/a>, has been leading monthly meetings about park problems \u2014 meetings that began after the AIDS memorial wall was vandalized, including an incident in which a homeless man took a sledgehammer to part of it, Zaldivar said.<\/p>\n Zaldivar said many of the park\u2019s problems stem from homeless encampments on or near the grounds.<\/p>\n “Once you see tents, it invites other people to put up tents,\u201d he said. \u201cThen other people don\u2019t go to the park because they\u2019re afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado said her homeless outreach team<\/a> has referred 25 people in the area to housing. The city has added safety signage around the lake and renewed fencing around sensitive areas.<\/p>\n
“We are also elevating concerns about lake maintenance and water quality with Recreation and Parks to ensure there is a clear and consistent maintenance plan,” Jurado said.<\/p>\n Metal theft has also taken a toll. The bust of diplomat and publisher Ignacio Lozano, stolen in 2024<\/a>, has not been replaced, and several monuments were removed for safekeeping until a way to protect them can be found, said Romondo Locke of the Department of Recreation and Parks.<\/p>\n Locke said a project funded through an $18.6 million program<\/a> to clean up the lake<\/a> and green nearby streets is in the pre-design stage with L.A. Sanitation and the city\u2019s Bureau of Engineering.<\/p>\n The LAPD did not provide information specific to Lincoln Park, but said senior lead officers meet with community members to discuss crime and ongoing problems.<\/p>\n Jurado said she is working with several city agencies.<\/p>\n “Recent concerns involving lake safety, maintenance, encampments, vandalism, and public safety require a coordinated City response,” she said.<\/p>\n The Wall Las Memorias in Lincoln Park after vandalism damaged part of the AIDS memorial. Twenty-seven names were destroyed.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Photo by Guilmar Perdomo | Courtesy The Wall Las Memorias<\/p>\n Support Eastside Community News \u2014 Now Tax-Deductible<\/p>\n You can now make a tax-deductible contribution to support The Eastsider\u2019s civic and accountability coverage on the Eastside.<\/p>\n Choose what works for you: <\/p>\n \u2022 Become a monthly supporter and help us reach 500 neighbors funding daily reporting<\/p>\n \u2022 Make a single gift to our new Eastside Community News Fund<\/p>\n Strong local news keeps residents informed and leaders accountable.<\/p>\n Thank you for your consideration.<\/p>\n \u2014Jes\u00fas Sanchez, Publisher<\/p>\n
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