Will street vendors return to Echo Park Lake?
Swap meet vendors back in 2010
Before Echo Park Lake was drained, before the gates went up around its perimeters, the lake wasn’t just a hub for families and picnickers to enjoy. Sunday afternoons were often host to street vendors on the grass alongside the sidewalk, wrapping around the entire northern section of the park. While many enjoyed shopping for a variety of new and used items, others found the vendors to be invasive, taking over valued park space and leaving loads of litter behind.
The mass of street vendors wasn’t just an issue at Echo Park Lake, it’s all over the city. Today, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors is reviewing a motion to strengthen the crack-down on street vendors, which are, after all, illegal. But it’s also more than just about the legality – it’s an enforcement issue, a race and class issue, a tax issue, and a business issue. At Echo Park Lake, it also became a safety/crime issue as witnesses have reported seeing armed men portioning out and selling spaces for $20-40 the night before.
The proposal wouldn’t affect the occasional yard sale, but specifically addresses illegal street vendors including those bacon-wrapped hot dogs and pushcarts.
With Echo Park Lake re-opening in mid-May, the question is: Will the street vendors return, and will the city crack down on the activity if they do?
Related articles:
- “Police try a new strategy to sweep out Echo Park Lake swap meet vendors.” August 8, 2010, The Eastsider LA
- “Vendors at Echo Park Lake get the boot.” August 1, 2010, Echo Park Now
- “The many facets of the Echo Park Lake swap meet.: March 24, 1010, Echo Park Now
I hope that a compromise can be reached where a regulated version of free enterprise (yes I realize the dichotomy) exists. As a 30 year resident of Echo Park the “live and let live” spirit that drew us to the place needs to continue and the mores of long-term representatives cannot be eradicated by newer residents who may bring a more “west side” perspective to the area. Still, there must be order and the beauty of this updated jewel should go unspoiled by trash and destruction to the landscape and every resident should feel safe to co-exist. There has to be a way that is possibly nominally fee-based. But, then again, maybe I just want to ensure the bacon wrapped hot dogs don’t disappear.
I HOPE NOT !! The park is not for the vender, they leave to much trash, and parking !!
Venders should NOT be allowed on the lawn. The park itself isn’t for commerce especially a swap meet, but for recreation, flood control, and as a wildlife sanctuary. That said, if there was a community organized/approved farmers market, or designated area on the street side where licensed or managed food trucks/vendors could set up that might be ok — perhaps something like the Atwater Farmers Market or maybe the Los Feliz Farmers Market.. only as long as things like trash, etc are taken care of..and those armed assholes who attempt to charge for space that isn’t theirs are managed..
Please show compassion for our great city. No human being is illegal. Street vendors are an amazing part of our cultural fabric in Los Angeles. And their rights as humans we will continue to defend as we stand up to unjust and unfair laws and discrimination.
I have lived at the same address in Echo Park since 1980 and can tell you that the swap meet vendors are the newcomers. Before they showed up the park was filled with local families on the weekends, who were there to have a picnic, to use the boats, sometimes to conduct outdoor religious services, to use the playground, to play cards, etc. Usually a few pushcart vendors sold popsicles. It’s only a very few years ago that the swap meet sellers pushed their way in. The only”amazing part of our cultural fabric” are the hardworking residents and families who use the park for recreation.
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