Playground is postponed
SUNDAY MARKET on Larchmont continues with controlled access and social distancing.
The global COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact local construction and shopping, along with all the other daily activities of our lives. With respect to the planned construction of a small playground in the city’s parking lot on Larchmont, that has been postponed indefinitely.
But the Sunday farmers’ market is continuing as usual — except with required health safety modifications like those found at other grocery outlets.
Playground postponed
Early last month, Councilmember David Ryu issued the following statement: “Following our teleconference town hall [March14] and the many conversations I’ve had with the Larchmont community over the past few weeks, I have decided to postpone construction of the pocket playground indefinitely. Open discussion and direct dialogue with the community are things I value most in public service. I’m thankful for the years of open communication I have had with the community to improve the Larchmont Boulevard’s vibrancy — and I’m even more thankful today to have new voices engaged on the ongoing issues. Once we get through this coronavirus pandemic, we will revisit the playground issue in a broader, community-wide discussion so all options and ideas can be brought to the table. But for now, I urge everyone to focus on their health, their families, and supporting one another through this crisis.”
Comments supporting Ryu’s April 4 decision, reported by the “Larchmont Buzz” immediately following the announcement, came from representatives of various associations including the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District, Windsor Square Association, Hancock Park Homeowners Association and Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council. The “Buzz” also reported comments supporting Ryu’s action from playground supporter John Welborne and playground opponents Gary Gilbert and Suzanne Buhai.
Sunday market carries on
On March 30, Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered all Los Angeles farmers markets suspended until social distancing plans could be submitted to the city and approved for each market. The operator of the Larchmont Sunday market took immediate action and was one of about a dozen markets approved to reopen within days of the mayor’s action.
On Sunday, April 5, the Larchmont farmer’s market was open for business as usual, but without non-food vendors and with limitations on the number of shoppers who can be within the parking lot at any one time. Everyone, vendors and customers alike, now must wear masks, and vendors now handle the selected merchandise and hand it to the buyers.
Every subsequent Sunday, loyal customers have been returning to support their favorite merchants. At various times, the line of masked shoppers waiting to enter extends up the boulevard’s west sidewalk toward Beverly Blvd. The market’s shopping guidelines during the COVID-19 restrictions are available online at tinyurl.com/y7cesox8. The Sunday farmers’ market hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Category: Entertainment
