As one of
Southern California's most prized recreational areas, Marina
del Rey is the realization of a dream that spans more than 100
years. What began as the vision of a 19th century real estate
speculator has endured bankruptcy, unsympathetic government
reports, two world wars and mother nature, to become a popular
destination for day visitors, tourists, water sports enthusiasts
and business travelers.
It all began in 1887 when real estate developer, M. C. Wicks
envisioned turning the Playa del Rey estuary into a major commercial
harbor. Working under the auspices of the Santa Fe railroad,
Wicks' Ballona Development Co. invested $300,000 to develop
the area but went bankrupt three years later.
A visitor to the estuary in those days would have found no sailors,
but plenty of duck hunters. A quarter of a century later, nothing
much had changed. In 1916, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
reported that it was impractical to develop the Playa del Rey
inlet and basin as a major harbor.
Marina
proponents had another go at it in 1936, when Congress authorized
reconsideration of the previous negative report, and a year
later the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors ordered
another study.
But fate had something else in store for the Marina, which
lost out to San Pedro in a competitive bid to create Los Angeles
Harbor. From this point on, development of the Marina would
focus on its evolution into a recreational small craft harbor.
Now the
dream was open for the dream to become reality. After World
War II had put a temporary halt to planning, and more than
thirty years after their first report, the Corps of Engineers
submitted another study indicating the feasibility of creating
a pleasure craft harbor.
But there
were still more obstacles to overcome. Construction delays
slowed early development, and when the Marina finally opened
for operation, severe damage from winter storms forced the
initiation of an emergency program to provide protection from
wave action.
The answer came in the form of an off-shore breakwater, and
the County responded by promptly appropriating the cost and
working with Congress to deliver matching funds. The final
key to the successful completion of the Marina was the construction
of the breakwater in January, 1965.
Formal
dedication of Marina del Rey was held in April, 1965. It was
the capstone of one man's dream that can now be shared by
all who visit this multi-faceted destination.
What does Marina del Rey offer today? More than 6,000 recreational
boat slips, the highest density of restaurant seating in a
one-square-mile area, outside of New York City, and boat launching
ramps that provide access to over 100,000 trailer-class boats
annually.
Moreover, Marina del Rey is part of a vision that keeps growing.
Additions during the years include more than 1,900 feet of
guest boat docks, 180 feet of public fishing docks, Admiralty
Park, view piers and a promenade.
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