We are thrilled to share the new Master Plan created by the Silver Lake community through an extensive 18 month process that included public events with record-setting attendance and multiple online surveys with many thousands of responses. This is our Master Plan and now we are excited to make it a reality.

Features included in the Master Plan--with strong majorities in the surveys—are more walking trails to the knoll and eucalyptus grove, terraced seating at the water’s edge, floating islands for birds and habitats, a renovated meadow, wetlands, environmental ed center, and updated dog park and recreation center complex. How exciting! Not included in the Master Plan (not receiving quite enough support by the public) are features such as skateparks, boating, cafes and swimming.

We are particularly proud of our outreach to Silver Lake’s neighborhood middle school, Thomas Starr King, which is LAUSD’s environmental magnate with over 500 enrolled students. The participation of these students was gratifying and inspiring as they bring many great ideas as future stewards of our great reservoirs.

The Master Plan Process

The Plan and New Features

ACCESS to open space changes lives. This includes imaginative new uses of the reservoirs complex (over 127 acres) for community and environmental benefit, expansion of green space, multi-modal connectivity, and engagement with schools and the community-at-large for input on new features.

BEAUTY imagines the existing crown jewel of Silver Lake enhanced with repurposed natural banks that both beautify and enhance wildlife habitat. It means new, well-designed trails and other features to meet the community’s need for exercise, tranquility, and open space.

CONSERVATION means responding to climate change by redeploying the reservoir in a new way: to hold, conserve and transfer water to and from the Los Angeles River to meet the water needs of many downstream projects like the new G2 parcel. It also means creating wetlands that convert the current, stagnant water of the reservoir into an oxygen-rich environment for wildlife.