I don't care whether there is a Zip line or not. If it is likely to enrich the City sufficiently to make the Ocean Front Walk less of a mess, maybe it's not a bad idea. The problem is that things like this require serious evaluation before they are undertaken. Things like how many people who really do visit Venice Beach can afford to spend $20 per minuter on anything. There is no proper marketing analysis. There is supposed to be some kind of evaluation of impact upon the community but that's not there. It does not seem to being handled as a realistic business proposition but as the Friday night after work relaxer inspiration written on a paper napkin sort of idea. It's like just about every other idea dreamt up regarding development of tourism for Ocean Front Walk, not thought through with any seriousness. The latest Council person calls upon his/her staff and his/her core constituents or party friends and that is the beginning and the end of it.

Fifteen years ago, there were a few performers and buskers on Ocean Front Walk, but it was not a significant issue for residents because it was all brief and not regulare. Today, the Ocean Front Walk is supposed to be a mile long stage for performers and that is a problem because the Ocean Front Walk was never designed to be such a thing. The City with the encouragement of the Council District office and local advocates refused to evaluate the effects of such a use upon the community, with the cynical notion that if residents did not like it, they should move. Silly actually, because even those who advocate this situation could not live with it if they experienced the result as do so many of the residents. There is a lack of respect for the lives of others in these actions.

Parking is not a minor problem with respect to Venice Beach. The parking problems that arose from so many dwellings without parking for residents began decades ago. Many residents from Main westward must park on City streets. Starting in the 1980's nobody who relied upon the City streets for parking could move their cars on weekend afternoons because they simply could not find an empty space if they returned before dusk. The lack of parking remains and attracting additional tourism simply cannot be sustained unless this problem is solved, but there is no effort to solve this problem.

Venice Beach might have potential to become the great attraction that seems to be desired but it is not that now, despite the hype about it being the second most popular tourist destination, if a lot of thought and care went into planning it. So far, there has been next to no serious planning evident to any reasonable person.

Let them put up the Zip line. There is not that much to see that is not visible on the ground or from other vantage points that cost you nothing.