It’s all part of the incomparable atmosphere at one of the most famous places in L.A.  So famous, it was on the list of must-sees for delegates to the recent Democratic National Convention, and is counted in many travel resource guides as one of the top attractions in all of Southern California.

  With a recent renovation completed, Venice’s Boardwalk has more to offer visitors and home folk alike than ever before.   Working with the community and outside consultants, planners in the Recreation and Parks Department have managed to balance the wishes of the unique and independent community of Venice with goals for modernized, beautiful facilities, and better security.  Venice’s artists, including school children who made tiles on the restrooms, can see their influence on the graffiti wall, in the tiles on the restrooms, in the surprising shiny bits of mica in the newly redone walking paths, and much more.  In fact, plans include etching poetry written by some of the local writers into the outside walls of the restrooms.  There is also a new children’s play park, a revamped basketball court, restored historic pagodas, new benches and street lights, a drop-in station for LAPD and office for Recreation and Parks staff, landscaping up and down the Boardwalk, and a fountain. 

  On the weekend of August 12, the City celebrated the re-opening of Ocean Front Walk, and the return of the street performers to Venice.  Ruth Galanter, Coucilmember, 6^th District, and her staff were intimately involved in the project.  Mike Bonin, Deputy Chief of Staff to Councilmember Galanter, was there for the opening and very much positive about the project’s results to date.  “There’s lots special about Venice,” he began.  “It is internationally recognized as a place of free expression, diversity, tolerance and incredible artistic talent.  Not to mention funky weirdness.

  “The festival in August was aimed to reflect as much of that Venice character as possible.  We wanted to showcase Venice while the international press was here.  The new bathrooms are great.  A year ago the y were not fit for a POW.  Now I’d be comfortable letting my mother use the restrooms here.  Really, Recreation and Parks and DJM Construction have done absolutely heroic and superlative work here.  It’s exceptional.  They’ve beautified this place and managed to keep the particular Venice feel.  We’re all very proud of them.  In particular, Kathleen Chan, Project Manager at Recreation and Parks, deserves special mention.  She and the RPM Design team did a wonderful job.”

  Indeed, visitors are having a grand time with the new facilities.  “I love this!” Gary Mittman, longtime Venice resident exclaimed at the August event.  “I’ve been waiting.  I’ve been living here for 10 years, and this is really impressive.  It’s clean, it’s open so that people can skate and not get in the way of the bike path.  The Windward entrance allows for open space, enough for walkers, bikers and skaters.”  There was a couple with two children who said they used to live in L.A. and love the Venice Boardwalk; they’d driven up from their new Orange County home for the day just because they miss it.  When asked about the new features, their eyes shone as they said they thought it is even more fun and certainly more beautiful than they remember.

  A visitor from another part of Los Angeles summed up the value of Venice this way, “After working constantly and getting vacation time, then not being able to take it and practically having a nervous breakdown, I learned you don’t have to go away to enjoy yourself.  It’s all right here.  You don’t have to go to Maui.”

  Stress relief is right in the City’s own backyard.  Visit Venice beach, and call the folks at Venice Recreation Center to find out how you can participate in the games and competitions such as body building and weight lifting (this is “Muscle Beach”), basketball and volleyball tournaments, games and more.  Their number is (310) 399-2775.