An open letter has been seen to LA City Council, Venice Neighborhood Council and others involved in the process of clearing up the abuse and mess that flea-junk-sold by commercial vendors monopolized on the Venice Ocean Front Walk.

See whole letter at www.WowVeniceIsActive.wordpress.com

After so much effort by many activists and many residents from Venice, a new ordinance has been not only written but also is being ENFORCED by the LAPD. Surprise !

More is still needed but the main clean up - of what has long been an eyesore and a misuse of free city spaces - is cleaned up.

The LA City Parks and Rec dept listened and put into action with other agencies what has long been a grievance to those who want Venice Ocean Front Walk to be scenic, healthy, clean, artistic and a family-beach friendly place to visit.

Not a flea market any more. Not unexpected violence or threats and bullying or usurping sidewalk and grassy knoll spaces to 'save spaces to vend rent-free' bought and sold.

Now, it is more like what the tourist books used to describe as Venice Beach, =a place for everyone to visit [not to buy buy more junk]. With the ocean in view and not blocked by tents.
With the sidewalk space opened up for pedestrians instead of
commercial resale-vendors blocking on both side of walkway.

What an accomplishment has occurred here!

Come see for yourself and maybe write about your experiences there too ...share with others, not just complaints because changes are happening, but actual 'reviews' of what you see or find there [like YELP has reviews that are helpful information maybe ?]

Some of us, artists, creative positive people, are glad to see that all kinds of 'art' are now the main displays allowed, plus political expressions and the feeding the disabled/homeless spots are also permitted.

A clean up of those who bicycle or skateboard on the sidewalk is still needed to prevent injuries to pedestrians, children walking and even pets who are hurt by fast-moving objects rushing on sidewalk made for people walking.

Come and see for yourself !

CORRECTED URL for full article and information mentioned above is

http://.WowVeniceIsActive.wordpress.com

Apologize for the way it was printed in error above.

Apparently the LAPD and LA Rec and Parks are unable to ENFORCE what the new ordinance intended...and huge loopholes have allowed vendors to "pretend" to "only take donations" as long as the LAPD is standing watching. Otherwise they demand their prices and SELL their flea market stuff, again, as before.

There are few police enforcement officers out on the Venice Boardwalk - and only during the 'heavy' summer months - are more assigned to just mostly stroll thru, coming from other areas and not actually enforcing minor issues, not seen as serious crimes worthy of their attention and not knowing the Venice Divisions rules either.

Walking down the Boardwalk on a warm Saturday, the same pretend-I-did-it-and-I-call-it-"ART" are being sold, for example: