December 4, 2023 #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

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...

Column: Tired OF Declinists? Some Enduring New California Positives

April 18, 2023

April 18, 2023

By Thomas D. Elias California has taken a beating lately, with (mostly Republican) governors of other states blasting many aspects...

Venice Shorts: The South Venice Blvd Encampment, Is It a Candidate for a City Cleanup?

April 14, 2023

April 14, 2023

One of the last of the large encampments closest to the beach, Venetians are hopeful help is on the way!...

Over Half of Short-Term Rentals Advertised in LA Don’t Comply With City’s Home Sharing Ordinance

April 4, 2023

April 4, 2023

Better Neighbors LA report highlights the inadequacies of enforcement measures for short-term rentals in Los Angeles, calling for increased regulation...

Venice Shorts: Averill Defeats Tyminski 63%-37% to Become President of Venice Neighborhood Council

April 3, 2023

April 3, 2023

In second bid for top spot, surfer/photographer Brian Averill coasts to an easy win against Venice attorney and outgoing Vice-President...

Column: Install at LAX Tiny Homes From The State Grant

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

By Clark Brown On March 16  Governor Newsom announced in Sacramento, his first stop on his State of the State of...

Venice Shorts: Night & Day – Flower & Lincoln Transformed, Back in Business

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

By Nick Antonicello In what was a Venice eyesore just a few months ago has been transformed into a place...

Opinion: Please Vote for Daffodil Tyminski

March 25, 2023

March 25, 2023

This is Tom Williams, your neighbor at 1011 Main Street.  With the upcoming VNC election this Sunday, I wanted to reach...

Venice Shorts: Popular Local Jim Robb Seeks Vp Slot, Endorses Brian Averill for President of the VNC!

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

By Nick Antonicello  VENICE – In a twist of events longtime Community Officer Jim Robb will now be seeking the...

Venice Shorts: Tabor Family Legacy Amara Hordt Seeks Seat on VNC This Sunday!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Local realtor looks to follow a family legacy of engaged community involvement here in Venice By Nick Antonicello VENICE –...

Venice Shorts: Erica Moore, A Cheerleader For Venice In Her Run For Community Officer!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

By Nick Antonicello VENICE – Local caterer Erica Moore is making a second run for the Venice Neighborhood Council, but...

Venice Shorts: Running Unopposed, Nico Ruderman’s Deep Dive Into Politics and Government Continues!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

By Nick Antonicello VENICE – It has been an interesting two years of political action, involvement and advocacy for Nico...