When it was announced last month, to the horror of tree-huggers everywhere, that 400 healthy pine, ficus, magnolias and the like would have to be cut down so the shuttle Endeavour could cross Los Angeles County unimpeded to its new home at the California Science Center, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa promised, seemingly as compensation, “the mother of all parades” along the route.

Residents in mostly low-income communities who were going to see some of their favorite shady thoroughfares ravaged for years to come, could at least gather with their neighbors for one day of celebration and camaraderie, although at least one resident  wasn’t consoled by the prospect.

“My parents have lived in this neighborhood since before I was born, and we have these big pine trees on our street, and I’m sure it took forever for them to grow. They are beautiful,” Claudine Jasmin told ABC News.  “It would be really, really horrendous to see all these years of a tree’s growth completely diminished for one parade.”

Last week, they found out there will be no parade. In fact, there won’t be any gathering along the Endeavour route from the Los Angeles International Airport to its new home near the University of Southern California where, presumably, shuttle enthusiasts will be allowed to see it.

The Los Angeles Police Department announced that, for security reasons, no one will be allowed to line the route. Instead, the Great Western Forum and the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall will each host a celebration of shuttle enthusiasts. People who live along the route or own a business there can still watch Endeavour go by from their private property, but the only parade will be a swarm of police in cop cars, on motorcycles and pedaling bikes. Hovering helicopters will add to the festive air.

No impromptu public gatherings will be permitted along the way. 

The streets and sidewalks will be off limits for a mile ahead of and behind the shuttle as it snakes 12 miles across Los Angeles and Inglewood on October 12 and 13. In addition to cutting down trees to accommodate Endeavour’s 78-foot wingspan, traffic signals, street signs and utility lines will also be dismantled.

Traffic along major streets will be disrupted for two days, and Endeavour will be accompanied by power outages up to four hours long. It is presumed that at 2 mph the shuttle can avoid running over any tree stumps.

–Ken Broder

To Learn More:

South L.A. Shuttle Boosters Are Feeling Jettisoned (by Angel Jennings and Kate Mather, Los Angeles Times)

Space Shuttle Endeavour's Trip Across L.A. Will Leave 400 Downed Trees in Its Wake (by Ken Broder, AllGov California)