Which Way, L.A.?
Is it Time for Local Golf Courses to Just Dry Up?
With drought into its third year, California farmers are pulling up orchards and fields are lying fallow. But, when President Obama came West to talk about water, he played golf in the desert of Coachella Valley—home to 124 well-watered courses. Does a major Southland recreational pastime have a future?
By Warren Olney • • 24m ListenWith drought into its third year, California farmers are pulling up orchards and fields are lying fallow. Bu, when President Obama came West to talk about water, he played golf in the desert of Coachella Valley—home to 124 well-watered courses. One environmentalist says some of LA’s municipal courses could qualify as wetlands, and he knows—because he plays. Does a major Southland recreational pastime have a future?
Also, can South Pasadena’s Rialto Theater—a relic of Vaudeville—be saved?
Banner Image: Golfing at Griffith Park, Los Angeles; Credit: Billy Hathorn
In this episode
2 storiesGolf Courses in the Time of Drought
Despite adding a million people, Los Angeles still uses the same amount of water it did 40 years ago. According to Mark Gold, conservation is an environmental success story.
Read the story17 minThe Comeback of the Rialto Theater
South Pasadena has held off extending the 710 Freeway to preserve historic neighborhoods. The city of 25,000 has 2500 properties marked for historic protection. The Rialto Theater goes back to Vaudeville in 1925. Its heyday came as single-screen movie house—one of the last in Southern California.
Read the story7 min