Public Opinion Still Divided on Opening of Upcoming Venice Zipline

Despite ongoing discussions for over a year about the three-month pilot program for the Venice Zipline, public opinion was still mixed at Tuesday night’s Venice Neighborhood Council meeting where FlightLinez (which will operate the Zipline) and its parent company Greenheart updated locals with its final plans.

Chief among the issues was parking, but Zipline and Greenheart stated that off site parking will be provided off of Via Marina and a survey will be taken to monitor the impact of the Zipline on neighborhood parking. 

“I’m really disappointed,” said  Venice resident of more than 50 years, Adam Glick, “We had so many public meetings with about 600 people saying they didn’t want this. There is no parking as it is here. There’s just going to be more crowds, more lines, more accidents and more trouble. ”

VNC President Linda Lucks focused on the positive financial impact that Zipline could have noting that the Zipline’s operating hours from 11 a.m. to sunset, with $20 rides, could generate much-needed funds for the community.

“If it works, we’ll all be happy. And if it doesn’t we know it’s a temporary pilot program. We all hope it works well. This will hopefully be a win-win for everybody,” she added.

Part of that win-win is that two thirds of the revenue generated from the attraction will directly fund beach clean up, and there is a strong community involvement aspect involving local artists and youth programs.

The 10 local artists chosen to design murals surrounding the attraction will be finalized on June 24, said curator and local artist Hans Walore. Walore is working with the VNC’s arts committee to recruit artists and said he has received a good response so far. Community officer Eduardo Manilla congratulated FlightLinez and Greenheart for carrying out its promise to involve local artists in the project.

The Natural Leaders Foundation, a local six-year-old youth program is collaborating with another youth program Soaring Heights, to provide low-income, at-risk youth with weekly morning activities before the attraction opens to the public.

A youth camp led by Soaring Heights begins July 1 and runs through Aug. 9. Professional artists and musicians will provide theatre, dance, aerial fabric and hoop lessons, which will culminate in a final performance for the community on Sat., Aug. 10 at sunset.

Vedete Arari, Natural Leaders Foundation Activity Leader Producer, also focused on the positive aspects of the attraction, noting, “What we bring to the community of Venice beach is a beautiful opportunity to come together; for children to learn and play in a safe and structured environment.”

When the Zipline opens on July 1, the 750-foot attraction will zoom people between the bike path and the boardwalk near the skate park and Windward Plaza, just before the basketball courts.