TERA has been partnering with local organizations and community members to provide direct, local support to our neighbors in need of relief due to the COVID-19 crisis. From generous donations by community members, we have distributed 100 debit cards (each with a $25 value) to vulnerable students, families and residents through partnerships with Eagle Rock Jr./Sr. High School and local faith-based organizations. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our community members, and our fund remains open for donation as the impacts of the pandemic continue to be felt. If you would like to contribute to the fund, please donate here.
L.A. Metro has launched the Transit Oriented Communities Small Business Loan Recovery Program to provide businesses near transit with up to $20,000 in loan funds to cover operating expenses. Eligible Los Angeles County small businesses located within a ¼-mile of a Major Transit Stop — in Eagle Rock, the only qualifying stop is the intersection of Eagle Rock and Colorado Boulevards. Loan applications will be accepted from Thursday, June 4, 2020, at 12 PM to Thursday, June 11, 2020, at 5 PM.
The City of Los Angeles recently introduced a program called “Slow Streets” which allows some residential streets in a community to be temporarily converted into pedestrian-priority streets, thus creating a space where people can maintain physical distancing while out for exercise and fresh air. The program seeks to provide some small relief to Angelenos who are limited in their access to traditional gyms, parks, and recreational centers, while Angelenos adhere to Safer At Home restrictions to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Simultaneously, Slow Streets seeks to respond to an uptick in cut through speeding that residential communities face with fewer drivers on the road.
TERA was successful in bringing Slow Streets to Eagle Rock as one of the first four approved local sponsors citywide. Slow Streets is a natural extension of TERA’s Slow Yosemite, Take Back the Boulevard, and Rock the Boulevard initiatives, which seek to improve the quality of life for Eagle Rockers by making streets that are safely accessible not only to cars but to pedestrians and bicyclists as well. With this in mind, TERA submitted a list of potential streets to implement Slow Streets on to the City and agreed to assist the City in maintaining them and providing feedback on the program. While the City did not accept some of TERA’s street submissions, the program was approved for implementation in Eagle Rock with an initial installation of three streets: Ellenwood Drive (between Avenue 45 to Yosemite Drive), Fair Park Avenue (between Eagle Rock Boulevard to Maywood Avenue), and Maywood Avenue (between Yosemite Drive and Chickasaw Avenue).
Eagle Rock Slow Streets launched mid-day on May 22 and early observation and feedback suggest they have been a big success. At any time of day, but especially in the mornings and early evenings, when temperatures are cooler, you can see people of all ages and backgrounds walking, bicycling, scooting, skating, walking their dogs, pushing strollers and finding brightness in the Southern California climate. Angelenos are hungry for mental and physical relief during this pandemic and we are seeing Eagle Rockers voting with their feet and taking to the streets.
One of the biggest surprises that Slow Streets has presented is that the benefit of a calmer street extends beyond just those using the street itself. All along Ellenwood, Maywood, and Fair Park, residents are making use of their front porches, yards, and balconies to enjoy the quieter and safer streets, all the while making newfound (socially distant) connections with their neighbors passing by.
Over the last week, several residents have asked TERA to sponsor Slow Streets in their part of the neighborhood. And, TERA is working with the City to see if we have the capacity to expand beyond the initially selected streets.
But the clearest sign of success? The sound of children laughing, and the smiles on their faces as they enjoy a degree of freedom that Slow Streets have given them to safely get around their own neighborhood.
We’d like to hear from you about your experience of Slow Streets, ideas for how it can be improved, and suggestions for where it can be expanded to. Please use our survey to give us your feedback as we work to keep ourselves safe and healthy during these unprecedented times: http://tera90041.org/slow-streets-survey/
Now that Slow Streets have been implemented in Eagle Rock, we would love to hear from you! Please let us know your thoughts after you’ve experienced one of these streets in person so we can get the City to improve and address any issues. Also, we would be interested to know if you are interested in adding in other Eagle Rock streets to this temporary program. Give us your feedback in the survey below (continue reading).
TERA has worked with the City of Los Angeles to bring its temporary “Slow Streets” program to Eagle Rock. “Slow Streets” seeks to provide more space on residential streets for people to maintain social distancing while getting out for fresh air and exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting on Friday 5/22, the City began providing temporary signage at intersections along the following streets to discourage aggressive driving:
Ellenwood Drive from Avenue 45 to Yosemite Drive
Fair Park Avenue between Eagle Rock Boulevard and Maywood Avenue
Maywood Avenue between Yosemite Drive and Chickasaw Ave
These streets will remain open to drive and park on, but drivers should be aware of the presence of neighbors and children seeking to maintain social distancing.
Here is our letter to Councilmember Huizar offering to sponsor the Slow Street program in Eagle Rock.
TERA has been partnering with local organizations, community members and the Office of Councilmember Huizar to provide relief to vulnerable Eagle Rock residents:
COVID-19 Relief Fund — From generous donations by community members, we have distributed 100 debit cards (each with a $25 value) to vulnerable students, families, and residents through partnerships with Eagle Rock Jr./Sr. High School and local faith-based organizations. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our community members, and our fund remains open for donation as the impacts of the pandemic continue to be felt. If you would like to contribute to the fund, please donate here.
Senior Meal Program — With funding from the Office of Councilmember Huizar, TERA has partnered with the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council to purchase meals delivered to seniors from Eagle Rock’s own Bite Me Gourm-Asian restaurant. Read more about this effort in the Boulevard Sentinel.
Fruit Donations to Unhoused Residents — TERA has partnered with Food Forward, an organization that arranges for the donation of surplus produce to the food insecure. TERA has been participating in the Backyard Harvest program, whereby neighbors harvest fruit from trees in their yards and box them up for donation. TERA has been collecting fruit and allocating it to support ERNC members’ direct outreach and provision of goods as well as the temporary homeless shelter at Yosemite Recreation Center.
TERA is working with the City of Los Angeles to bring its temporary “Slow Streets” program to Eagle Rock. “Slow Streets” seeks to provide more space on residential streets for people to maintain social distancing while getting out for fresh air and exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting on Friday 5/22, the City will provide temporary signage at intersections along the following streets to discourage aggressive driving:
Ellenwood Drive from Avenue 45 to Yosemite Drive
Fair Park Avenue between Eagle Rock Boulevard and Maywood Avenue
Maywood Avenue between Yosemite Drive and Chickasaw Ave
These streets will remain open to drive and park on, but drivers should be aware of the presence of neighbors and children seeking to maintain social distancing. TERA previously submitted a letter to Councilmember Huizar asking for a “Safe Streets” program in Eagle Rock, to consider modifying Yosemite Drive and other Eagle Rock streets. If you are interested in bringing Slow Streets to your street in Eagle Rock, please let us know!
