Improvements Are Due at Lake Balboa

The Sepulveda Basin’s Lake Balboa, a popular site with walkers, bikers and boaters alike, will soon be even more appealing with the extension of the bicycle path, the addition of a lifeguard station and public restrooms, the expansion of the children’s play area and other improvements.

The $2.6-million project is part of a plan to make the crowded weekend spot a little more hospitable to the Valley park-lovers who flock there each weekend.

Among the amenities will be “one of the largest play areas in the western United States,” said Jim Andervich, the city Recreation and Parks Department’s assistant general manager for the Valley. The lakeside playground will replace an existing tiny area with a high-concept playground that will have separate areas for tots and older children.

For bicycle enthusiasts, the existing, somewhat disjointed bike paths will be connected and lengthened to a total of 3.5 miles. Also added will be new pergolas, benches and picnic tables. Less obvious will be an improved drainage system.

When the project is completed in three to four months, said Bonnie Kopp, the Valley planning deputy for City Councilman Marvin Braude, “it’s going to be gorgeous.”

She added, “We’re so underparked in the city that any improvement to parks that makes them more accessible is a welcome addition.”

In the next year and a half, the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area--second in Los Angeles only to Griffith Park in annual visitors--will also gain two new cricket fields, landscaping and lighting to Hjelte Sports Center and an off-leash dog park with additional parking. These additions will cost another $3 million, according to James N. Ward the Valley region park superintendent.

The funding for all of the projects comes 50% from the city and 50% from the federal government in a cost-sharing agreement.

The city dollars are the result of 1992 Proposition A funds, which are earmarked for recreation, parks, beach and open space needs.