April 29, 2025 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

Marina “Duck Pond” Now Officially Fancy

6:12pm

After six years of planning and a year of construction, Los Angeles County officials cut the ribbon today on a renovated flood-control basin that had become a foul-smelling eyesore but has been rebuilt into a park-like area with wildlife-viewing platforms.

Oxford Basin
Don Knabe and friends put finishing touches on the new Oxford Basin photo courtesy: LA Public Works Twitter

Originally constructed in 1959 on the outskirts of Marina del Rey as a flood-control facility at the corner of Washington Boulevard and Oxford Avenue, the Oxford Retention Basin was once known as the “Duck Pond” due to the number of waterfowl that were kept on the site. But the site deteriorated over the years, becoming a magnet for abandoned animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, and even chickens.

Most of the animals were cleared from the site more than 20 years ago,
but the basin stood stagnant, and in recent years was marked by a sediment-
fueled stench easily detectable by bike riders on the otherwise pristine Marina
del Rey bike path, pedestrians on Admiralty Way and some residents of the
adjacent Marina City Club condominium complex.

After about six years of community meetings and planning, the county Department of Public Works embarked on a $14.5 million renovation project last summer in hopes of improving the basin’s flood-control function and re-invigorating the wildlife habitat and water quality.

At the onset of construction, some residents and environmental activists protested the removal of hundreds of trees from the area. County officials insisted the trees were non-native species and were removed at the recommendation of project biologists, with the removal timed to avoid bird-nesting season. The renovated basin includes 730 newly planted native trees and 45,000 native plants, according to the county.

Today’s ribbon-cutting event included a tree-planting ceremony. The renovated basin includes six wildlife-observation decks, four on Admiralty Way and two on Washington Boulevard. The decks will include display panels providing information on the wildlife and vegetation.

Related Posts

Caruso Sets Expected Timeline for Palisades Village Reopening: Report

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Caruso recently told a local outlet that bringing life back to the village is essential Palisades Village remains closed in...

California’s AI Revolution: Transforming Local Businesses and eCommerce

December 18, 2024

December 18, 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of a revolution transforming California’s local businesses and the broader eCommerce landscape. From...

10 Reasons Why Players Prefer to Use Crypto When iGaming in California

September 1, 2024

September 1, 2024

As online gaming continues to evolve, players are increasingly turning to cryptocurrencies as their payment method of choice. In California,...

Is California Going to Legalize Gambling in 2024/2025?

June 5, 2024

June 5, 2024

The issue of gambling legalization in California has been a topic of debate for many years. As the largest state...

Los Angeles Experience Gifts for People Who Don’t Want More Clutter

May 15, 2024

May 15, 2024

Just like you, most gift recipients in Los Angeles don’t want more stuff. The Los Angeles experience gifts on this...

California: Pioneering the Future of Online and Digital Payments

January 11, 2024

January 11, 2024

In the fast-paced digital economy of the 21st century, California has emerged as a powerhouse in the realm of online...

A Guide to the Current Gambling Situation in Canada

January 1, 2024

January 1, 2024

For centuries, gambling has woven itself into the fabric of human culture; in recent years–marking an era where evolution pervades...

Smart Strategies to Save Money in Your Entertainment Budget

December 30, 2023

December 30, 2023

Many individuals and families in today’s fast-paced world share a common goal: finding ways to save money. The entertainment budget...

California’s top sports teams.

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

California is known worldwide for a multitude of exciting things. They’re known for their incredible beaches, glorious sunshine, and fabulous...

Your Lucky Numbers: Six Tips Towards Lottery Success

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Have you ever wondered how people win money from the lottery? They may not always hit the jackpot, but they...

Five different ways to unwind.

October 1, 2023

October 1, 2023

Modern life is always busy and it can feel like your to-do list is never ending. When you’re not working,...

New Program Can Help Protect Southern California Homes in the Event of an Earthquake

May 13, 2023

May 13, 2023

Residents Have Until May 31 To Apply For Seismic Retrofit Grants By Janiele Maffei, Chief Mitigation Officer for the California...

Venice Shorts: Tree Trimming Underway Thanks to the Vsa!

April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

VSA Has Taken up the Task of Trimming Italian Stone Pine Trees. By Nick Antonicello Following the recent toppling of...

Venice Stakeholders Association’s Comments on Traci Park’s Broken Bridge Housing Promise

April 24, 2023

April 24, 2023

By Marc Ryavec I have been struggling with how to address the phenomenon that someone I and many others in...