LAKE VIEW TERRACE : Popular Park Gets Improved Facilities

Los Angeles parks officials have developed a plan to control crowds that have overwhelmed the facilities and parking lot at Orcas Park in Lake View Terrace.

As part of the plan, a 300-space parking lot was completed Friday to control double parking, parking in residential driveways and parking too close to intersections in Lake View Terrace.

A new picnic area also was added to the park, which has become an increasingly popular weekend gathering spot in recent months.

The picnic area includes more than 40 tables, which were installed this week, a quarter-mile west of Orcas Park, said Martin Castille, a senior park maintenance supervisor.

About 20 barbecue pits and some portable bathrooms also will be added to the picnic area.

Park officials began preparing the 300-space parking lot, located inside the park, three weeks ago to supplement an existing 150-space lot.

The park’s bathroom facilities have also been doubled by the addition of six portable toilets, Castille said.

Park officials are now working on opening another access road to the popular recreation area, he said.

Meanwhile, Councilman Ernani Bernardi on Friday asked the City Council to approve the deployment of more parking attendants to help curb parking problems in nearby residential areas on weekends.

The council is scheduled to consider the proposal Tuesday.