Echo Park Lake reopens after $1 million in repairs, clearing of homeless encampments

ECHO PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Echo Park Lake has reopened to the public after being closed for two months to undergo extensive cleaning and repairs.

The lake and surrounding park area underwent $1.1 million worth of repairs since it closed in March.

"I feel wonderful because we're getting back our park," said Echo Park resident Andrea Martinez Gonzalez.

City Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell says the park was in rough shape and not welcoming to those living nearby.

"Knife attacks, gun shots, people have been shot there," O'Farrell said.

According to O'Farrell's office, LA Sanitation removed more than 35 tons of solid waste and more than 700 pounds of biological waste. Water fountains and bathrooms had been destroyed.

The park will now have 24-hour security and cameras will be installed.

MORE | Despite chaos, Councilman O'Farrell calls clearing of Echo Park homeless encampment a success

City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell claimed success in the effort to clean up Echo Park Lake, with the last of more than 200 homeless people removed, and a $500,000 repair and restoration project underway after days of protests that included more than 180 arrests.

"I mean, we saw that encampments were spiraling out of control," said Echo Park resident Riley Montgomery.

In the three months leading up to the closure, O'Farrell's office teamed up with the nonprofit Urban Alchemy to move nearly 200 people into housing under Project Roomkey.

"I know that everyone supports the needs of the unhoused people. But also we have to balance that with the needs of the community," said Echo Park resident Jeff Giles.

But some of those experiencing homelessness that were living at the lake felt like O'Farrell didn't handle the situation well. They say the city only gave official 24-hours' notice that the park was closing.

"I didn't think they would hit us that low, that fast, that bad," said Jessica Mendez, who used to live in Echo Park.

"And now there's gonna be this vibe of distrust and weirdness that you get in all the other parks in LA," said Bobby McCoy.

And as for the fence lining the park, O'Farrell's office says it will stay up for as long as they need while they continue fixing the grass. The fence will lock at night when the park closes at 10:30 p.m.