Islands of LA Discussion/Activities – 1 year anniversary

Filed under Evening, Map of Islands for Public Assembly, Picnics, Discussions, Tours & Other Social Events

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On 9/17/08, from 7pm – 10pm, Islands of LA celebrated its 1 year anniversary with about 30 people on a traffic island in Glassell Park. (Slideshow) Participants included residents of Glassell Park, including a few who live across the street from the island, and other parts of Los Angeles. This island is one of the largest islands in L.A.

After installing the new signs, we had a small discussion. One of the locals who lives across the street shared how the island is used on art walks and that sometimes people play frisbee. We discussed that the island is a neutral zone since it is nestled between various local gangs. And we exchanged information and to explore doing a project on the island together. (Later in the evening, another local came and explained that this island is one of the gems of Glassell Park. We spoke about the legal issues since he wasn’t sure it was legal to be there. He also told me about a local “historian” who works as the cashier at a nearby store and has lived in the area for 50 years.)

Following this, the discussion leader/moderators introduced themselves and then people broke up into 4 groups.

Alex Kenefick of the Watershed council led a discussion about the scraps of land in the city, where they come from and what can they be. The group created a map/diagram.
Erick Knutsen lead a tour of the island and a discussion about the landscape. This included looking to see if there was anything edible on the island.
Linda Pollack led a discussion about voter registration, how to register someone to vote, and election issues for those who live in states where the vote seems already decided
James Rojas led a tour of nearby homes and a discussion on Latino Urbanism

Towards the end of the discussion, leaders switched groups but topics stayed with the group, leaving groups without a leader. Discussions continued for awhile until eventually everyone gather again, chatting about various topics including whether islands were safe, should they be developed and how, and ways the project can evolve with a sensitivity to both the sense of public space and forum as well as place, and the specifics of a particular neighborhood.

After everyone left, I spoke with a few residents from across the island. They had used the island for art events or just to hang out but had always been unclear about whether they were allowed to. We had a discussion about the first amendment rights and the notice installed that explains this, providing them with a legal perspective about their right to use the island.

Thank you to everyone who participated!

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9 responses to “Islands of LA Discussion/Activities – 1 year anniversary”

PW September 18th, 2008 at 22:58

I live around there. There is also a small, but still important Asian population in Glassel Park. That area by the island use to be a shit-hole. Now I see a bunch of White people in that area. There is a band studio next to my mother’s sewing factory. With proximity to Eagle Rock/Silverlake and that movie studio on fletcher, its not surprising to see the White people in the area anymore. Whatever you plan on doing, know this: Word of mouth is the only advertising that will work in the neighborhood.

[Reply]
Maryam September 19th, 2008 at 21:43

The area does have a really significant Filipino population, as anyone who lives there can attest– though I’m not sure if it has decreased at all from the 1980s. When I went to elementary school at St Bernard’s around the corner from the island, my class was half Latino and the other half Filipino. But the population is changing. Although this is a bit skewed, because it is a Cathoilc school and so only representative of a draw from a particular part of the community, class sizes have been getting smaller at the school. the demographic of the neighborhood is changing– the population who stayed is aging, and those who are moving in aren’t moving in with kids; people who have had kids whose families had lived in the neighborhood for generations, and you would see this at this elementary school, whole extended families attending the school over 20 years- are moving out to neighborhoods further east in the SGV. (my mom taught at the school for 25 years so I know this!) Some of the families even bring their kids back to attend the school from out of the neighborhood- it is that much of a tradition- but others of course aren’t able to for whatever reason.

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Alan September 21st, 2008 at 12:08

Here’s the pix I took.

Alan
http://www.collagecollage.com/

[Reply]
Ismail September 21st, 2008 at 12:10

Thank you for a wonderful event and for getting me to think about the politics which inform your work. Here are pictures I took…

Ismail
http://www.ismailfarouk.com

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alexkenefick September 22nd, 2008 at 05:26

Great fun!

One thing, my notes at http://www.flickr.com/photos/islandsofla/2865212659/in/set-72157607342358114/
were not a map, they were just notes from the discussion. It does look kind of map-like, but it’s just a doodle.

However, you could say that the flipchart sheet is a map of our discussion.

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Joan September 23rd, 2008 at 21:54

Oh my God! I saw you guys there. You are in my neighborhood. I remember seeing something about islands of LA and being intrigued. I want to get involved. I’m a mad permaculture with a vision of guerilla gardening the islands with self sowing edible perennials. How do I get started?
Joan

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Leslie September 26th, 2008 at 12:49

I had great fun.
Getting the chance to experience something different and new, is something I wouldnt regret and will always remember

[Reply]
Fabricio November 23rd, 2008 at 09:31

What is occuring seems like a great idea, but I do not see anything new about it. I grew up around five blocks from this particular island and families have been having picnic and soccer games on them for as far back as I can remember. Well enjoy the patch and welcome to the neighborhood.

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Islands of LA November 25th, 2008 at 16:28

Traffic islands throughout the world have histories of use. Like these spaces, the histories and stories are hidden. Most people are unaware of this history and have a misconception of what its like to be on a traffic island. There is also a legal context to the use of these islands, that are there most likely legal fora which means there are extended protections for free speech and gathering, and most people are unaware of this.

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