...input. On both sides of the lotus: Lots of info-gathering taking place in EP these days as environmental engineering firms put together their proposals in an effort to nail the big-fish contract of about $90-some mil to re-something (restore, revamp?) Echo Park Lake. The would-be's have been going to meetings, sending emails, asking: do you want step-stone walkways? Lotus on the northeast side of the lake? Guarantee of protection for the birds? Amnesty for the giant bass and turtles? A bed of nails? Upside down bathrooms? A block-print dress for the Lady of the Lake? No chain-link at the southeast corner? Historical markers? More willow trees?

A mannerly and enthusiastic rep from MWH came to the Echo Park Historical Society this week to ask those very questions.* A rep from CDM emailed me yesterday.**

And, yesterday, Joan Valencia photographed the group above, whose posture and deameanor as well as plummage suggested to Joan (and I concur) that they belonged to the aforementioned contract-seeking sub species. She was careful not to get too close lest she be captured for study.

A few of the things Chicken Corner would like to see at the newer, better lake:

--A stepped schedule of work keyed to the natural rhythms of wildlife. For instance, never completely draining the lake at one time -- damming sections while others are drained in order to keep a portion for the birds and other animals.

--Genuine assistance for the homeless who will be parkless for a while.

--An underground new place for the pump house on the "isthmus."

--Removal of the chain-link at the southeast corner.

--Removal or improvement (somehow) of the foul, filthy drain area at the northeast corner.

--Willow trees.

--Protection of the lotus, at least in the western thumb of the lake.

--Preservation of the bridge in its present state.

*MWH: juan.h.diaz-carreras@mwhglobal.com
**CDM: http://www.cdm.com