March 19, 2024 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

Column: Centennial Park Update – Cleared, Cleaned & Fenced!

By Nick Antonicello

Centennial Park, long a homeless encampment for months that had spilled out-of-control into a haven for open drug use and crime was unexpectedly cleared, cleaned and fenced this week as all the tents have been removed, while some have relocated on the sidewalk next to the old Kim’s market and some of the stationary vehicles still remain along South Venice Boulevard.

But for now, mission accomplished!

This week there were several LAPD vehicles in the Library parking lot monitoring the situation as one side has been fenced and the other side yellow-taped.

According to LAPD, most of the campers were offered housing of some kind while others opted out and just left.

The park became a permanent camping ground last November and by January had as many as 100 tents and stationary vehicles.

Employees at the Library had complained bitterly about the situation as visitation to the facility decreased for fear of being accosted or approached by transients.

Tents then began to be installed in front of the library as well as the grassy areas that intersected with Venice Boulevard.

Tenants and homeowners along South Venice Boulevard became virtual hostages in their own homes as the sidewalks became littered with bike parts and residents complained to city officials as well as to the Mayor’s Office, and to Councilman Mike Bonin.

These calls and e-mails for the most were ignored.

Even the VNC’s Homeless Committee failed to weigh-in as well as the VNC itself, disappointing the community and the public outcry for action.

Now, the park has been fenced-off and hopefully renovated, rehabilitated and landscaped for public use and consumption.

This was the second major encampment that fouled Venice in the last 24-months after the initial debacle at the beach that was cleared by Sheriff Alex Villanueva and this clean-up apparently was directed by the Mayor’s Office.

As with the initial clean-up at the beach, many of the campers try to find another spot to settle.

Hopefully that will not be the case this time.

Venice has had its sufficient share of hosting these illegal outdoor camps that breed drug use and crime, preventing parents and seniors access to the community space like the beach or the library’s facilities.

Nick Antonicello is a longtime Venetian and covers stories of local concern to the community. He has been following the Centennial Park saga since late 2021. He can be reached via e-mail at nantoni@mindspring.com

Related Posts

Tonight at Pali Village: Elevated Cocktail Hour at A.L.C.

March 19, 2024

March 19, 2024

During the event, 15% of all proceeds earned will benefit I Stand With My Pack  Tonight, March 19, from 5:30...

Venice Shorts: Staples Surrounded by RVs & Tents at Lincoln Blvd

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Several campers clog pedestrian walkway as occupation worsens By Nick Antonicello  The Staples Chain retailer offering brand-name electronics & print...

Woman Drives Car In Ocean After High Speed Police Chase

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Law enforcement officers pursued her along the I-110 and I-405 until she reached the vicinity of Venice Beach A woman...

Case Study House Hits Market at $8.9M

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Originally listed in 2018 for $10 million, the property showcases iconic mid-century architecture A Los Angeles residence, known as Case...

Santa Monica Authorities Seek Public’s Help After Sexual Assault Incident

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

SMPD Urges Anyone With Information to Come Forward Authorities in Santa Monica are seeking information from the public after a...

Woman Returns $1K Worth of Stolen Items After Store Finds Her Social Media Account

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

For the Owner, the Incident Is Perhaps Indicative of an Environment at the Palisades Village Where Smaller Businesses Are More...

Venice Family Clinic Announces Inaugural HEART Gala to Celebrate Health and Art

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Event Honors Creative Community and Supporters of Vital Health Care Services Venice Family Clinic, a non-profit community health center dedicated...

Upcoming Mar Vista Book Sale Includes $1 Book Deals

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

One Free Book Will Be Given per Child By Zach Armstrong Friends of the Mar Vista Library will hold its...

Marina del Rey Tourism Board to Host Career Day

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

The itinerary includes visits to the Marina del Rey Sheriff’s Station, Tony P’s Dockside Grill and The Ritz-Carlton The Marina...

Venice Shorts: VNC Considered Sweeping By-Law Revisions via Special Zoom Meeting

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

A major shift in board composition from at-large membership to ten individual and localized units fails to receive the required...

Suspect Strikes 6-Year-Old Girl in Santa Monica, Investigation Underway

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

Detectives Are Actively Locating/Obtaining Surveillance Footage By Zach Armstrong An assault investigation is underway after a man reportedly struck a...

Man Possibly Linked to Child Abduction Fears in Mar Vista Last Month Arrested on Unrelated Charge

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

Numerous Comments Showed That Neighbors Were Familiar With the Van and Concerned With the Driver’s Actions By Zach Armstrong A...

California Chicken Franchise to Open Third L.A. Spot in Marina del Rey

March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

The Location Will Serve a Limited-Time Menu, Boasting Its Bahn MI Sandwich, Loaded Bahn MI Tender Box and Vietnamese Sticky...

Rain-Induced Mudslides Shut Down Key Routes in Malibu and Topanga, Causing Delays

March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

Caltrans Warns of Traffic Woes and Full Closures as Rock and Mudslides Hit  By Dolores Quintana Caltrans District 7 announced...

(Video) Dredging Effort Underway at Marina del Rey Harbor

March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

Set to be complete by May, the project is set to remove up to 500,000 cubic yards of sediment @yovenicenews...