Tape Watch Redux? Not Quite
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Last year large chunks of Pershing Square were closed off for four months, the off-limits space sealed off by LAPD yellow tape. Finally the tape came down, though no one ever answered the question of how the closure was allowed to go on so long.
This spring the grassy area is again taped off, and several readers have emailed me asking if the same scene is playing out. The short answer: no.
Every year the grassy area of the park plays host to the ice rink for several months. Afterward the grass is re-sodded and taped off while it sets and takes root. That's where this round of tape came from.
That said, from the reading I've done sod typically takes four to six weeks to set. We're just past eight weeks out from when the ice was removed. If the tape doesn't come off soon it's time to start complaining again.
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Dennis Smith on March 14, 2007, at 04:12PM – #1
There has been plenty of work done on the Pershing Square greensward today in preparation for Friday's St. Patrick celebrations. In honor of the "wearing of the green" the city may see fit to let people sit on the green as well. If they could only get the APT at 5th and Hill open by Friday, it truly would be a miracle equaling the snakes being driven out of Ireland. Friday marks the coincidental confluence of two springtime celebrations, both St. Paddy's Day and Norooz, the Persian New Year. The government resolves this multicultural conundrum by marching the St. Patrick's parade on the Main Street side of City Hall while Norooz is commemorated by the City Council with a traditional meal in the Spring Street patio. St. Patrick's parades in Los Angeles are interesting little affairs as they lack the critical mass of hardcore Irish enclaves apparent in other cities. However, I once caught a blue rubber ball thrown to me by Bernard Parks, back when he was the chief of police, as he was driven by in the back of a convertible, part of the parade's procession of dignitaries. It is, to this day, one of my most prized possessions.
Dennis Smith on March 19, 2007, at 12:43PM – #2
Well, it's Monday and back to business as usual in the Pershing Square Lawn Preservation District as the yellow tape is back up and the security guards are removing all remaining humans back to the concrete and cement where they belong. It was nice to be allowed the privilege of sitting on the grass for a few days and I eagerly anticipate the next municipal function that will grant folks the opportunity to occupy this fine greensward for a brief time once again.
Dennis Smith on March 20, 2007, at 09:22PM – #3
In a belated update(browser problems), the western half of the Pershing Square lawn is now open to the public.