Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Important quotes about Community

CHINESE PROVERB:

One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade.


GEORGE BERNARD SHAW:

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.


M. SCOTT PECK:

There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability; there can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community.


MARGARET MEAD:

Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.


MARIANNE WILLIAMSON:

In every community there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart there is the power to do it.


RALPH WALDO EMERSON:

No matter how you seem to fatten on a crime, there can never be good for the bee which is bad for the hive.


RUMI:

Come out of the circle of time
And into the circle of love.


SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR:

We don't accomplish anything in this world alone ... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.


SIMONE WEIL:

The love of our neighbor in all its fullness simply means being able to say, "What are you going through?"


TERRY TEMPEST WILLIAMS:

I have inherited a belief in community, the promise that a gathering of the spirit can both create and change culture. In the desert, change is nurtured even in stone by wind, by water, through time.


VIRGINIA WOOLF:

One of the signs of passing youth is the birth of a sense of fellowship with other human beings as we take our place among them.


WILLIAM PICKENS:

Living together is an art.

speech, meeting of Congregationalists, Oak Park, Illinois, November 2, 1932

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Is the LA River something to laugh at?

Conan & Andy Canoe the LA River

Its kinda funny, yes?
Is it sad, yup.

But any press is good press! At the very least people will see that it is a little silly. This commentary speaks directly to the perceptions we are trying to change. This one episode brought to light the sad humor of the reality of our river. I am posting this to include the current media interpretation of the LA River...

Comments on LA Draft Bicycle Plan Map – Central / West Side

Comments on LA Draft Bicycle Plan Map – Central / West Side

By ASNC Working Group 

Background: 

The Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council has formed working group to focus on bicycle circulation in the Arroyo Seco Corridor. This working group has been formed in the last few months given the impetus of recent meeting on the Arroyo Seco Bikeway by the Los Angeles County. Although much of the discussions in the County’s meetings on the Arroyo Seco Bikeway focused on the question of a main stem bike path within or along side the Arroyo Channel it is clearly evident that we need to address the entire network of bike paths, lanes and routes within this corridor to meet the needs of all bicyclist, including bike commuters and those who use bicycles for alternative transportation and recreation within our communities. 

Also, it has become evident that there are needs for multiple users, including pedestrians, and equestrians to travel along the Arroyo Seco channel in what we envision as the Arroyo Seco Green Way. We recognize that this vision for a Greenway will require significant funds and time to implement. Also, a continuous bike path within this Greenway is part of our vision. And recognizing the significant funding and time to implement the bike path in this corridor we would like to support a comprehensive bike and trail network in this corridor. The goals of this network should include:

  • Making it easier and safer to ride within and between the neighborhoods of the Arroyo Seco
  • Creating a secure, well-lit, year-round bike route for commuters
  • Making it safer and easier to ride local parks, museums, libraries, and recreation centers
  • Making it safer and easier for youth to ride to and from school and local youth and recreation centers
  • Making it safer and easier to bicycle to run errands and shop at local businesses
  • Making it safer and easier fro bicyclist to access the Gold Line
  • Connecting the Arroyo Seco with other distant locations such as Griffith Park, the Valley and Downtown LA and beyond.
 

We have chosen to limit our comments to the area within the Arroyo Seco Corridor, however many comments may also apply to other areas on the plan. Our comments are based on the on site use and familiarity with the many streets and facilities within our community. We have also reviewed and integrated the results of two major studies on bicycle circulation needs. These two studies include the NE Linkages Study conducted Huit-Zollars for First Council District, Councilmember Ed P. Reyes conducted in 2004 – 2005, and Connecting Communities: Improving Cycling with the Arroyo Seco Corridor report by Marcus Renner and Claudine Chen, June 2005. Copies of these reports had limited distribution. If you or your staff should require we can provide you with digital copies

 

General Comments on the Bikeway Network Map

  • The map would be more informative to users if locations other potential destinations including museums, theatres, art galleries, or other cultural destinations would be added
  • Also include symbols and locations for post offices and libraries
  • It would be helpful to identify the name of large regional parks
  • Show entry/ access locations for off street Bike Paths
  • Assure continuity of the bikeways – connect gaps between ends of all bike paths, lanes, and routes.
  • At a minimum, there should be bike routes (shared routes) connecting ends of bike paths and lanes
  • Bicycle Lanes indicated as “Proposed But Currently Infeasible” should either be indicated as Proposed Bike Routes or have dual notation. These PCI routes are needed for connectivity and continuity.
 
 

Specific Comments:

  • Add new public parks not shown on map:
    • Rio de Los Angeles Park (formerly Taylor Yard)
    • Los Angeles State Historic Park (formerly Corn Fields Rail yard)
  • Show entry locations to access large (regional) scale parklands, including:
    • Ernest E. Debs (Debs) Regional Park
    • Rio de Los Angeles (formerly Taylor Yard)
    • Los Angeles State Historic Park (formerly Corn Fields Rail yard)
    • Elysian Park
    • Griffith Park
  • Add these significant destinations in the Arroyo Corridor
    • Southwest Museum
    • Lummis Home
    • Heritage Square Museum
    • Los Angeles River Center and Gardens
 

Map Omissions, Errors 

  • Pasadena Freeway is indicated as US 101 should be SR 110
  • Show new Parklands
    • Rio de Los Angeles Park (formerly Taylor Yard)
    • Los Angeles State Historic Park (formerly Corn Fields Rail yard)
    • Los Angeles River Center & Gardens
  • Show both the existing and proposed Arroyo Seco Bike Paths in proper location – should be on east side of channel (this is critical since all access is from east.)
  • Show northern terminus of Existing Arroyo Seco Bike Path (in channel) as being south of York Blvd/Pasadena Ave. Access is through parking area in Arroyo Park west of Arroyo Verde (in South Pasadena)
  • Show southern terminus of exiting Arroyo Seco Bike Path (along channel) as extending southerly to the parking area at the south end of the Montecito Hills Recreation Center
  • Show existing bridges over Arroyo Seco channel
    • York Blvd.
    • Ave 60
    • Ave 57
    • Ave 52
    • Pedestrian Bridge to Sycamore Grove Park
    • Ave 43
    • Pedestrian Bridge linking Ave 33 to Cypress Ave
    • Ave 26
    • San Fernando Road
    • Ave 19
  • Show proposed new or upgraded bridges over Arroyo Seco channel with a the Proposed Bridge symbol
    • New pedestrian/ bicycle bridge to better link Sycamore Grove Park, Ramona Hall and Southwest Museum to the Montecito Recreation and Senior Centers and Debs Park/Audubon Center entrance. This bridges is located southerly of the existing pedestrian bridge and is shown in the Huit- Zollars, NE Linkages Study
    • Upgrade of existing pedestrian bridge to a pedestrian and bikeway bridge connecting Cypress Ave 33 and Ave 33. Also shown in the Huit- Zollars, NE Linkages Study
  • Proposed new or upgraded bridges over Los Angeles River should be shown with the Proposed Bridge symbol
    • New bridge leading to Rio de Los Angeles Park (formerly Taylor Yard)
    • Upgrade of Riverside Drive Bridge (current bridge is not biking friendly)
    • Upgrade of Spring Street Bridge (current bridge is not biking friendly)

Los Angeles River to Ave 35 / Pasadena Avenue / Marmion Way:

 

Improve connections between Highland Park, Lincoln Heights, and Cypress Park as follows:

  • Add Proposed Bike Lanes or Route (shared roadway) along Figueroa St. from Cypress Ave to Marmion Way
    • Presently shown as Proposed but Currently Infeasible
    • This is vital to connect existing bike lanes on Cypress Ave. to Figueroa Street and Marmion Way corridors.
    • Needed to connect southerly to proposed bike route to connect to L A River Bike Path and proposed bike lanes in Ave 19
  • Add Proposed Bike Route (shared roadway) on Figueroa St. from Cypress Ave. to Ave 19.
    • Needed to connect southerly to proposed bike route to connect to L A River Bike Path and proposed bike lanes in Ave 19
  • Add Proposed Bike Lanes or Route along Marmion Way from Figueroa St northerly to Ave 45
    • Needed to connect to existing bike route on Marmion Way northerly of Ave 45.
  • Add Proposed Bike Lanes or Route along Pasadena Ave. from Figueroa St to Arroyo/ Heritage Square Gold Line Station
    • Presently shown as “Proposed but Currently Infeasible”
    • Needed to connect to proposed bike routes on Marmion Way and Figueroa St.
  • Add Proposed Bike Lanes or Route on Marmion Way from Figueroa St northerly to Ave 45
    • Needed for connectivity/ continuity
  • Extend Proposed Bike Route along Humboldt St. from Ave 26 northerly to Ave 33 and continue Bike Route to link to Proposed Bike Route along Pasadena Ave
    • Needed to allow cyclist to avoid traffic congestion on Pasadena Ave near the Five Points area (Ave 26)
    • Consistent with draft Corn Fields / Arroyo Seco Specific Plan, which designates Ave 33 and Humboldt St. as Shared Street Spaces on Local Modified Streets
    • Need to add At-Grade Crossing Improvement at intersection of Ave 26 and Humboldt St.
 

Griffin Avenue Corridor: 

  • Extend Bike Route or Bike Lanes along Griffin Ave and Ave 52 northerly of Ave 43
    • Provides access to Audubon Center at Debs Park and Debs Park
    • Provides connectivity to existing Bike Paths along and in Arroyo Seco Channel
    • Provides connectivity via existing pedestrian and future bridge to Sycamore Grove Park, Southwest Museum, and Gold Line Southwest Museum Station
    • Provides access to Highland Park
  • Add Bike Route along Ave 52 to Longfellow St, along Longfellow St. to Ave 54, and along Ave 54 to Figueroa Street
    • Provides access to Highland Park community, businesses, library, post office, recreation center

Monterey Road Corridor:

 
  • Add Proposed Bike Route (Shared Roadway) northerly along Monterey Road from existing Proposed Bike Route to Ave 60
    • Presently shown as “Proposed but Currently Infeasible”
    • Needed for connectivity on north-south access
    • Provides access to Debs Park main entrance
    • Provides connectivity to routes extending to Cities of South Pasadena and Pasadena
  • Add Proposed Bike Route (Shared Roadway) along Ave 60 from Monterey Rd to Figueroa St. and from Monterey Rd to Collis Ave.
    • Needed for East West connectivity
    • Connects to Proposed Bike Lanes along Collis Ave. (there should be no disconnect at city boundaries)
 

Mission Street Corridor:

  • Continue Bike Lanes or Route along N. Mission St. south of Huntington Dr.
    • Presently shown as “Proposed but Currently Infeasible”
    • Needed to connect North Broadway Bike Route to Bike Lanes proposed on Huntington Dr. South.
 

Figueroa St. Corridor:

  • Continue Bike Lanes or Route (Shared Roadway) along Figueroa St. north of Marmion Way for the entire corridor to Eagle Rock Community Center
    • Presently shown as “Proposed but Currently Infeasible”
    • Needed for connectivity
    • Provides access to local business districts and schools
 

    York Blvd. Corridor:

  • Continue Bike Lanes or Route (Shared Roadway) along York Blvd. East of Figueroa St to Pasadena Ave.
    • Presently shown as “Proposed but Currently Infeasible”
    • Needed for connectivity
    • Provides access to Arroyo Seco Bike Path
    • Provides access to bike routes in Cities of South Pasadena and Pasadena.
  • Continue Bike Lanes or Route along San Pasqual Ave to Arroyo Blvd (in South Pasadena)
    • Needed for connectivity
    • Provides access to bike routes in Cities of South Pasadena and Pasadena
 

Cypress Avenue Corridor: 

  • Add Proposed Bike Route along either Macon or Future St. to connect with Entrance to Rio de Los Angeles Park
 

Division St. Corridor: 

  • Add Proposed Bike Route along El Paso Dr. from Cleland Ave to Ave 50
    • Needed for connectivity
 

 

Our community stakeholders appreciate the openness of this planning process and look forward to the additional public hearings and workshops in working towards the entire Bicycle Plan. Thank you for allowing us to submit these comments and for their inclusion in your planning process. 

If additional information is needed, please contact me at jerryspe9@sbcglobal.net . 

Sincerely, 
 
 

Jerry Schneider, Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council Board member, Environment 

Monday, June 8, 2009

ACTION ALERT

ACTION ALERT!!!

 The LA Bike Plan maps have been released.
Your input is needed!

 


The long awaited City of LA Bike Plan maps were finally made available to the public late last week. The maps will serve as the basic framework of the Plan. The City of Los Angeles has made them available on their website. The complete plan has not yet been released.

We, here at LACBC, feel these maps are not ambitious enough to serve as a blue print for infrastructure change in the next decade.  While local connector networks could be improved by the proposed changes, major connectivity issues within the city remain unaddressed.
 
We are disappointed with the process and the current draft, but we see this as an opportunity to educate and influence the city to create positive movement toward meeting the needs of cyclists.

Your input is crucial! The time is NOW to weigh in on the Bike Plan!


TAKE ACTION by June 12th!

Your comments are an integral and important part of the process! 


What you can do:

  • Review the maps carefully
  • What is missing? Send in streets that you feel have been overlooked to LA City and to LACBC
  • Look at the "infeasible" marked streets and choose 5 that you feel should be prioritized.

Send in your comments by June 12th to:
Jordann Turner
LA Bike Plan's project manager
jordann.turner@ lacity.org

LACBC
lacbc.comments@ la-bike.org

LACBC will be speaking with public and city officials officials. We will be incorporating your comments to highlight the streets that YOU, our members, feel are important corridors that should not be disregarded.

 


Wednesday, June 3, 2009

LA County Meeting 6.2.09

I am once again inspired by the amount of progress and positivity brought to last night's meeting with LA County to discuss the next steps and plans for the Arroyo Seco (Bikeway) Greenway!

Despite the relatively small turnout, a number of representatives from key government and non-government groups came out, voiced their opinions and overall added their support to continuing with the project.

The County came with three representatives and what seems like a barebones plan of action.
1) Get the remaining funds transfered to the new starting point.
2) Update environmental information.
3) Design and build it.

They have formed a partnership with the City of LA through CD-1 (who's district covers most of the area chosen for the Greenway) and are working on getting solid support from CalTrans. Representatives from both CalTrans and CD-1 were present.

Also, present were members of the Arroyo Seco Foundation, The Bicycle Coalition, Arroyo Seco Greenway Working Group (duh), Highland Park Historical Trust and various unaffiliated stakeholders.

Since the last meeting's proposal to look at starting at or near the future Confluence Park site, the County and CD-1 as well as, seperately, members of the Arroyo Seco Foundation, have concluded that the area from San Fernando Rd to Ave 26 along the NE side of the Arroyo Seco looks like a small, but doable piece.

Not only is this area part of the Cornfields Master Plan, but also this area is wide enough to build multi-use trails, thereby allowing for use by a great variety of different community members. (Bikes, Horses, Pedestrians..)

There was a great deal of concern about the usability of the bike path for commuting if it is designated as a multi-use trail. Given the state of the Venice bike path, I think that is a valid concern worth having a longer conversation about.

Another related concern is that having the bike path "in channel" may be counterproductive to the work of those hoping to restore the river to a more natural state in the future.

All in all we still have a lot of work to do. We are slowly making progress, but the feeling of cooperation and willingness to compromise, while still asking the tough questions, was amazing.