The Los Angeles City Council celebrated Toluca Lake’s 100th anniversary with a special resolution during its November 28 meeting at City Hall. In his presentation, Council President Paul Krekorian provided an overview of Toluca Lake’s history and explained to the assembled councilmembers and guests why the “little serene residential oasis” is such a unique and exemplary corner of L.A. “Despite the luminaries living there, it remained a quaint community, a community where people knew each other, cared about each other and preserved the sense of community that Toluca Lake is known for,” he said. “I am very, very honored to be able to mark this centennial here in our Council chambers — Council chambers that have not yet reached their centennial, but will soon — and I’m pleased to recognize some of the leaders that make the Toluca Lake of today the great place that it is.”
Krekorian then introduced representatives from the neighborhood’s major civic organizations. Robyn Allyn of the Toluca Lake Garden Club, Ryan Altoon of Toluca Lake Beautification Partners, Jo Ann Rivas of the Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council, Erick Garcia of the Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce and Terry Herkner of the Toluca Lake Homeowners Association each shared reflections about the community’s rich past, its enduring character and how their groups are working to continue that legacy.
Councilmember Nithya Raman, who previously represented Toluca Lake before redistricting moved it to Krekorian’s purview, also took the opportunity to add her praise for the neighborhood. “Toluca Lake is really a special place,” she said. “It’s so much its own community that it has its own magazine — and not just a little newsletter, a straight-up magazine that is entirely devoted to the comings and goings of Toluca Lake! It really did feel like a world unto itself. As I got to know it … I really learned why you all fight so hard to preserve what you love about Toluca Lake.”
