Echo Park Lake
Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles, originally built in the 1860s as a reservoir for drinking water, today functions primarily as a detention basin in the city’s storm drain system, while providing recreational benefits and wildlife habitat. In 1891 the four owners of the surrounding area gave up 33 acres of land to the city around the reservoir so that it could be used as a park that is now under the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Ada Mae Sharpless’s sculpture, “Our Queen of the Angels,” was donated to the city in 1935 and installed at the edge of Echo Park Lake. It became immediately popular and despite its official title, become popularly known as “The Lady of the Lake.” The fountain with 3 massive jets of water was added for the 1984 Summer Olympics. The park is listed as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
Photographer: Andrew Schmidt