COOL REFRESHMENT SWIMMING LAKE REOPENS.Byline: Mariel Garza Staff Writer LAKE VIEW TERRACE - The Hansen Dam Hansen Dam in Los Angeles County, California was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District in 1939 and 1940. The project is located near the northern edge of the San Fernando Valley on Tujunga Wash, about one mile below the confluence of the Big Tujunga Wash swimming lake - closed since spring for $3 million of repairs - reopened Thursday, much to the delight of Independence Day revelers. ``We love it,'' said Michael Andrade Sr. of Van Nuys, who brought four generations of his family to the swim lake to celebrate the holiday. ``We missed it,'' said his wife, Mickie. Like many locals, the Andrades had not been able to enjoy the 3-year-old, pool-like lake since it closed in April for leaks to be fixed. The project caused a community outcry when the Army Corps of Engineers dumped dump v. dumped, dump·ing, dumps v.tr. 1. To release or throw down in a large mass. 2. a. debris debris /de·bris/ (de-bre´) fragments of devitalized tissue or foreign matter. In dentistry, soft foreign material loosely attached to a tooth surface. from the site into a nearby body of water that has been a haven for wildlife and recreation. People enjoying the swimming lake Thursday gave high marks to the refurbished facility. ``It's much better than last year,'' said Robert Timm, who brought his family of five from Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, to spend the day enjoying the sun and sand and water slides. ``My daughter has been going around, up the slide, down and around again since we got here,'' said Robert's wife, Cheri. The Timms had discovered the swimming hole last year, and they say this year there are more lifeguards and much more area to swim in - unlike last summer, when more than half the lake was cordoned off. ``And you can't beat the price,'' Cheri Timm said. The cost of admission is $1.25 for adults under 65; children under 17 and seniors 65 and over can enter free. Despite the low cost and the national holiday, the crowds were light Thursday. The Andrade family had anticipated an opening day rush and arrived at 8 a.m. - two hours before the gate opened - to secure a prime grassy grass·y adj. grass·i·er, grass·i·est 1. Covered with or abounding in grass. 2. Resembling or suggestive of grass, as in color or odor. Adj. 1. spot. ``We were first in line, can you believe that?'' Andrade asked. ``We thought there would be a whole bunch of people.'' As it was, five hours later, there was plenty of space inside the lake's fence to accommodate more visitors. ``This crowd, for a typical summer day, it's in the same ballpark,'' said Lifeguard Lt. Kevin Davis Kevin Davis may refer to:
One of the reasons may have been the weather, he said. By noon, the morning haze had not yet burned off and it was a tad breezy. Hansen Dam swim lake will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Labor Day Labor Day, holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on the first Monday in September to honor the laborer. It was inaugurated by the Knights of Labor in 1882 and made a national holiday by the U.S. Congress in 1894. . Adjacent to the 1.5-acre swim lake is a 9-acre recreational lake open for boating and fishing. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Lifeguard Rebekahh Redmond makes a test run down the water slide at Hansen Dam swim lake Thursday. (2) Swimmers at Hansen Dam Aquatic Center splash in the swim lake on the Fourth of July Fourth of July, Independence Day, or July Fourth, U.S. holiday, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Celebration of it began during the American Revolution. , when the facility was reopened after months of repair work. John McCoy/Staff Photographer |
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