The Temescal Canyon Association hikers explore the Venice canals in their Christmas glory on Sunday, December 16. The public is invited. Hikers should meet at 5 p.m., in the Temescal Gateway parking lot (just north of Sunset) for carpooling. The Venice canals were part of Abbott Kinney’s dream of transforming his property south of Ocean Park into a Venice of America, complete with amusement piers, Venetian-style buildings and gondolas. The original 16 miles of canals were dug in 1904. The half-mile long 70-ft. wide Grand Canal became the centerpiece of the development, which also included the 900-ft. long, 30-ft. wide amusement pier at Windward Avenue. On July 4, 1905, the project was opened for business and festivities, which included yacht racing and swimming races in the lagoon, and band concerts and fireworks at the lagoon’s 2,500-seat amphitheater. By the 1920s, the automobile had made its mark, making the canals impractical, and in 1929, the majority of the canals were filled in and converted to roads. In 1994, Los Angeles refurbished the six remaining canals, and the neighborhood that has developed on the west side of the canals celebrates the holiday season with lights and decorations. For more information and possible updates, visit temcanyon.org or call (310) 459-5931.
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