Social Networks

By: Rosemary Oliva, Ileana Galvez, and Jacqueline Garcia

The Echo Park Lake was a reservoir in the 1800’s. It was not until the late 1890’s that the man-made lake was created. The lake was not well received during its early years. However, the park became a major attraction in the early 1920’s. It is known for the lotus bed that used to sit on the west side of the lake. The flowers disappeared a few years ago, and no one is quite sure why. In 1972, the Lotus Festival at Echo Park originated. Because of lack of funds the festival was on hiatus this year, and was celebrated as The Echo Park Community Festival. The park attracted many Latino immigrant families in the 1970’s and 1980’s. It has been used for birthday parties, family picnics, and holiday celebrations. The Echo Park Lake is a Los Angeles monument.

I spoke with two Echo Park residents, Jose and Janet, about their experience in the community and their thoughts about the lake. Jose was born in El Salvador and has been living in Echo Park for the past fifteen years. He likes to come to the park early in the morning before going to work. As we talked, walkers and runners said hello to him. There is definitely a sense of community at the park. Jose expressed that there are more Latino walkers and runners in the mornings, and that the park becomes more diverse in the evenings. Also, the Lotus Festival was one of the first things he mentioned. He passionately described the festival and the lotus bed that was once part of the park. When asked if he knew about services available to community members, he responded by mentioning that there are homeless in the area and that the Midnight Mission serves food at the park once a week. Jose then talked about safety. Years ago, on a visit to the lake, his car was stolen. With the exception of this experience, he has had an overall positive experience in Echo Park.

Janet, a young Latina, runs at the park occasionally and has been going to Echo Park Lake since she was a little girl. Growing up, she remembers celebrating Easter and 4^th of July at the park. “Things are not the same”, Jane says. She has noticed a decrease in the number of Latino families at the park. Still, she likes that Echo Park is becoming diverse. One of her close friends is Caucasian and from New York. Despite the changes she has observed in the neighborhood and the park, Janet says she will continue to live in Echo Park and run by the lake.

The Echo Park Lake brings back countless memories to many people. This is why Jose visits the lake every morning and why Janet runs around the park.

I asked a young man at the library if he knew where the polling place was, and he said that he did not know because his family and he do not vote. After that I asked him who his city council person or county commissioner was and he did not know the answer. After interviewing him I asked a young woman if she knew where the polling place was and she told me it was in the elementary school in front of her house. I asked her if she voted and she said that she did not because her family did not vote regularly. I asked her if she knew who her city council person or county commissioner was and she said no. From the interviews that I conducted I have concluded that most Echo Park residents do not much about politics.

In the community walk I did not see many campaign signs. I only saw a council meeting agenda posted in the public library’s entrance. While walking through the city I only saw voting applications at the library and at the post office. I saw a small political sticker on a convenience store’s door, and several bumper stickers on a car. From my observations of this community it seems like the majority of the residents are not politically involved.

Within the community of Echo Park, there are several forms of security systems present. In the commercial areas of the community, there are various forms of security such as: cameras inside and outside of the businesses, oversized mirrors, security personnel, barbed wire fences, and other styles of fences guarding the entrance of the business when closed to customers. In the residential areas of Echo Park there are a variety of security systems utilized. For example, in the impoverished neighborhoods of Echo Park there are many “beware of dog, keep out, private property, and no trespassing” signs visible.

Also, another form of security in these neighborhoods consists of wrought iron fences surrounding the houses. However, in the wealthier neighborhoods, there are a vast number of “neighborhood watch, select patrol, and security company” signs outside of the houses.