#playthelariver

[uhpcivicawareness2015-2016]

Cressa Park

1: I saw a lot of rocks and homeless people. I also saw a lot of bicyclists and joggers riding and jogging along he river. On one side of the river there were houses and a small park. On the other side of the river, there was a large construction site and a lot of big machines.

2: Our group concept of public space fit pretty well with where we were on the river. You can see the idea of public space as you saw people riding their bikes and walking as they please.

3: I was surprised at first when I realized that there was much more water in the river than I expected. Although, it wasn’t a comfortable place to be as there was trash and homeless people’s encampments everywhere. The river seemed pretty disconnected and out of place from its surrounding environment.

[uhpcivicawareness2015-2016]

Dominguez Wetlands

1) My group went to the Dominguez Wetlands site, and what we saw was surprising in one way and disappointing in another. There were two sides to the sight and they could not have been more different than one another. The side we initially saw wasn’t even connected to the river at all. It was an artificial body of water, that seemed to be beautiful and thriving. However, despite the pleasant appearance of the body of water, it seemed completely devoid of any real wildlife. I thought this was strange. To the left of the Wetland was the actual LA River, which was less artificial, but just as disappointing. This section of the river was almost completely dry, seemingly choked out by its urban setting.

When we first arrived at the site, there was a person on a bike that fled as soon as he or she saw our group. The only other people we saw at the site were other bikers. The metro train could be seen and heard from the site, as it passed by every few minutes. 

2) Our group’s concept is civic engagement, and this site reflected that concept in a manner that can only be described as warped. The Dominguez Wetlands appear to be an attempt at reparation by the city and its residents living near the river. Around the body of water were signs introducing different types of wildlife that may be in or around the wetland, but every single sign had been vandalized. This shows the kind of engagement and participation that certain individuals are interested in. 

3)This place is representative of the relationship between humans living in an urban setting and the nature struggling to exist around them. The most striking part about the visit was watching the animals interact with the environment. There were many birds at the site, however, like stated before, they refused to touch the artificial water mass. Though the river itself was essentially dried up and barren, the animals were still more comfortable with the natural river than with the artificial lake.I feel disconnected from the river, almost as if there is nothing we can do to save it. There are simply too many people and not enough care for the environment. 

[uhpcivicawareness2015-2016]

Our group visited the Dominguez Wetlands for our “Play the LA River” assignment.

1)      I always thought of the LA river as a dried out, slowly dying river. This visit only reaffirmed my opinions, how only the small channel actually had running water, and the water not in the small channel was standstill and dirty green. The overpowering concrete just suffocates any real possible beauty that could grow anywhere near the river.

2)      If more water moved through the channel, then maybe it might look nicer, however that solution is entirely based upon the fact that our drought ends. If the sloped concrete walls surrounding the river was either shortened our removed, replaced with a more natural barrier, something like grassy hills or vegetation, then that would give a more natural and less polluted feel to it.

3)      The key to civic awareness is knowledge and willingness to participate. To see the devastated river that once was full would promote a desire to act on behalf of this river. One can’t be civically aware of everything, they must be become aware of an issue in the first place to act, even if that issue is minimal. I like to think that I am already civically aware in other issues, like politics and school. But definitely, visiting the river and seeing what state it is in has raised my awareness of the declining condition of the LA river.

-Andrew Roder

[sarahsafariseeker-blog]

During my visit to the LA River, I realized that the location was very inconvenient and unfriendly. The layout was uninviting because it was away from civilization, with a few run down houses nearby. There were several items abandoned here including a truck, two televisions, and a couch. I did not see anyone while we were there, except two cyclists passing through. However, there was a good view of the river which was full and had a few ducks swimming in it. As an individual in this community I didn’t feel like my civic identity was influenced at all by this site. I felt very disconnected from this location because it seemed uninviting and dangerous.  

[hannahtt12-blog]

There was a lot more water at the Cressa Park LA River Section than I expected, although the surrounding area of the river was ridden with trash and impoverished. As far as people, there were a few construction workers on the opposite side of the river, several homeless people, and cyclists riding along side it. This section of the River is a public space in the sense that there is a bike path for any and all cyclists to enjoy. I didn’t feel any connection to this area. The section we went to is only accessible to cyclists and has no purpose for other types of people. The ‘park’ section was not a typical playground-and-swings park, but a “Native Habitat” (a small fenced area with a few trees and bushes).

[uhpcivicawareness2015-2016]

UHP: Mouth of the LA River

1. At the mouth of the river we saw people enjoying the shops and the scenery. It seemed it was a social place that was an enjoyable place to go. We also saw fisherman with ten or more poles. It was a good environment, although it was almost a false look compared to the other parts of the river. 

2. This is a public place that is being kept up well and is a resource for the community. It promotes well being because it has securities as well as easily accessed resources for all. 

3. It is well connected to the people of Long Beach, near the community with homes and ships. It is in place and is very beautiful, and fits well how it is. They even make the oil rigs in the distance look good with rocks and palm trees, instead of the ugly metal like normal.