Photo: LAWDP

Los Angeles Councilmember Tom LaBonge of the fourth district joined officials of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to mark the public opening and dedication of the Los Angeles Aqueduct Centennial Garden this morning. The new, enhanced space at the Mulholland Memorial Fountain in Los Feliz is a gift to the city of Los Angeles in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Special guest Christine Mulholland, great-grand daughter of William Mulholland, community members and LADWP staff joined to cut the ribbon and officially open the garden to the public.

The garden was commissioned to commemorate the Los Angeles Aqueduct's centennial on November 5th, while also serving as a showpiece of the beautiful and water-wise benefits of California Friendly® landscaping. The new space complements and enhances the recently-renovated Mulholland Fountain while highlighting the historic significance of Mulholland's engineering achievement through an interpretive path of the Los Angeles Aqueduct from the Eastern Sierras to Los Angeles, a cross-section of the original aqueduct pipe, interpretive signage and sitting areas.

The walkway's blue "curb" represents the 340-mile length of the aqueduct from Mono Lake to the Cascades in Sylmar, represented by the "steps" in the foreground. The circular object in the middle of the photo reads "SAUGUS," apparently signifying one or both of the power plants in San Francisquito Canyon. At upper left is a riveted section of 8-foot-tall aqueduct pipe. Photo: Leon Worden, 11-10-2013.

Councilmember LaBonge said, "We are celebrating the anniversary of the Los Angeles Aqueduct at the home of the William Mulholland Memorial Fountain. I am pleased with the walkways and destinations that memorialize the Los Angeles Aqueduct. In the wise words of William Mulholland, 'There it is, take it.' And to add on to his words, I say, 'Come, take a walk and enjoy it!'"

LADWP General Manager Ron Nichols added, "The L.A. Aqueduct Centennial Garden celebrates our water history and serves as a living tribute to William Mulholland and his genius. It also serves as an example of LA's water future — one in which greater water conservation and development of local water supplies through increased stormwater capture, use of recycled water and cleanup of the San Fernando Valley groundwater basin will play an even greater role in our city's water supply."

The Los Angeles Aqueduct Centennial Garden was built entirely by LADWP crews, and designed by landscape architectural firm Pamela Burton and Associates.

"In this centennial year, we're proud to have transformed the Mulholland Memorial Fountain site from a public fountain into a living, water-wise garden that pays tribute not only to the man, but to his masterwork — the 233 mile long, entirely gravity-fed, Los Angeles Aqueduct," said Jim McDaniel, Senior Assistant General Manager, Water System.