ENCINO : Lake Balboa Signs Cut Walkway Traffic

Workers at Lake Balboa in the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area said Monday that additional signs banning biking and skating on a 1.3-mile walkway around the lake have curbed the flow of non-pedestrian traffic on the path.

The activities have never been permitted, said park worker Chris Sooy, but until last week there were only three signs along the path and the rule was commonly ignored, resulting in many collisions involving bikers, skaters and pedestrians.

“Now we’ve got 10 signs up and they are also posted in really visible areas,” Sooy said. “It appears people are beginning to cooperate more now.”

In response to complaints from people using the park, the Los Angeles City Council on Friday reinforced the existing parks department ban by adopting a city ordinance specifically prohibiting the activities on the path.

“This ordinance just makes the rules much clearer,” said Dick Ginevan, chief parks superintendent for the Valley. “We could not blame people for riding bikes if we didn’t have enough signs telling them what the rules are.”

A 10-mile bike path in the park is expected to be extended around the lake this summer.

“I’m looking forward to the continuation of the bike path so people can ride their bikes and look out over the lake without being illegal,” said Judith Hirshberg, district deputy for City Councilman Marvin Braude.