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The return of Echo Park Lake

A bee hovers over a water lily at Echo Park Lake after a two-year, $45-million makeover. Before it was refilled and restocked with plants, the neighborhood landmark was completely drained and cleaned.

A bee hovers over a water lily at Echo Park Lake after a two-year, $45-million makeover. Before it was refilled and restocked with plants, the neighborhood landmark was completely drained and cleaned.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A preview of Echo Park Lake after its two-year, $45-million makeover. During the renovation, the lake was drained and cleaned, and several acres of wetlands were added. Officials are planning to reopen the neighborhood landmark on June 15. Video

Echo Park Lake

With the skyscrapers of downtown Los Angeles as a backdrop, the misty fountains of Echo Park Lake shoot high into the sky.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Echo Park Lake

Echo Park Lake’s famous lotus plants have been restored and protected by plastic netting. During the cleanup, said L.A.’s city engineer, workers found two guns, one toilet, 20 Frisbees and a pay telephone.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Echo Park Lake

Visitors take a look at the restored lake. “Echo Park Lake had become toxic,” said L.A. City Engineer Gary Moore. “It was not a place that you wanted to be.”   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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Echo Park Lake

“Echo Park Lake is a beautiful mosaic, it’s a rich tapestry of the different ethnicities that live and work in Echo Park.” said state Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles). “From Latino working families and children to young hipsters ... to Armenians and Filipinos.”  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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