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Health & Fitness

Blog: Help Prevent More Traffic Injuries Along the Silver Lake Reservoir

A Serious Accident Emphasizes the Urgent Need for Quick Completion of the Silver Lake Running Path.

The Silver Lake Reservoirs Conservancy (SLRC) has long been concerned about delays in completion of the popular Running/Walking Path. It's enjoyed by thousands every week, day and night. The greatest hazard has been along Tesla, at the intersections of West Silver Lake Drive and on the east at Armstrong. 

Regrettably, a jogger was seriously injured in an accident with a motorist on Tuesday, March 28, at the West Silver Lake Drive intersection.

Completion has been held up by budget issues, although the DWP has committed to completing the path as part of the Silver Lake Master Plan, and now in preparation for the upcoming construction of the Bypass pipeline at the end of 2012. Now, we have learned that plans have been designed, and construction should begin in June. 

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That's good news. But we still need YOUR involvement to this keep this project on track. We're also concerned that the project improve the path at both critical intersections, and we're working to have those corners built with wider spaces for a safe, pleasant rest stop. We are also working to have path lighting installed along the retaining wall that will be cut into the north end of the Ivanhoe Dam to accommodate the path. 

And there's more. We're also advocating for completion of the path along the south end, as it is incomplete around the Silver Lake Recreation Center. This will require cooperation of the DWP and the City Council Districts, along with the Department of Recreation and Parks. 

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All this is part of how your Conservancy is working to make the Reservoirs the best community asset we can. To keep the path clean and pleasant, SLRC partners with Councilmembers Eric Garcetti and Tom LaBonge for maintenance. We contract with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, which provides job training and opportunities for at-risk youth.

But we can't do this without you. 

How can you help? First, you should contact both Councilmembers Tom LaBonge (CD4) and Eric Garcetti (CD13) to encourage them to continue efforts to ensure the rapid completion of the path. 

And we hope you'll visit our SLRC website to stay up-to-date on what's happening, and to make your tax deductible donation to help us continue this work!

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