Paddle boats: don't go quietly. ... My friend Martin Cox took the time to write a plea on behalf of the Echo Park Lake paddle boats, which are facing extinction, with a drop-dead date of Sept. 9.

Martin:

I took this picture [above] to note the passing of a long era of entertainment on Echo Park Lake. After 111 years of boating on Echo Park Lake, Parks and Recs have decided to withdraw the boat after September 9th.

It is notable that there have been long lines each and every weekend over the summer for the boats and only half of the boats have been available for hire, the rest (about 12) are in lay up, despite the demand. One wonders when the reason given is budget why so many remained unrented.