Crews began dismantling the massive impromptu memorial created by mourning Lakers fans outside Staples Center after the death of superstar Kobe Bryant on Monday, Feb. 3.
An official said some of the items would go to Bryant’s widow and other family members and that the flowers would be “mulched” and spread around the area.
The cleanup of flowers, balloons, jerseys, stuffed toys and basketballs began at 4 a.m., Staples Center President Lee Zeidman tweeted. A fence was erected around the site to keep the cleanup out of public view.
We began the cleanup at 4am @LALIVE XBox Plaza and we have now boxed 1353 basketballs dedicated to Kobe and Gianna. Truly amazing the outpouring of love from the City of Angels in honor of the 9 who lost their lives 1/26/20 pic.twitter.com/MUN21LNupH
— Lee Zeidman (@LeeZeidman) February 3, 2020
Fans spontaneously began creating the memorial in a plaza outside the arena as word surfaced that Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other people were killed Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash near Calabasas.
As the week went on, the crowds grew. The came early each morning and stayed late into the evening.
And so did the stacks of keepsakes. Personal messages were written on many of the items.
“Kobe Kobe Kobe” chants echoed through the LA Live grounds during the week. Some musicians came to play musical tributes. Informal prayer meetings were staged.
Crowds finally began to thin after the Lakers returned to the Staples Center court for a game against the Portland Trailblazers, preceded by an emotional tribute to their fallen star.
Cleanup continues and we have filled a full 40 yard roll off trash bin with flowers. These we be made into mulch and spread throughout the landscaping around @LALIVE and @STAPLESCenter so that the love all of the fans brought to LA Live lives on. pic.twitter.com/kB5XlGSYw5
— Lee Zeidman (@LeeZeidman) February 3, 2020
Angelina Dominguez came with her family on Friday night.
“We just had to pay our respects,” she said. “Just being a mother, to even imagine what (Vanessa’s) going though ….”
Cleanup continues and we have filled a full 40 yard roll off trash bin with flowers. These we be made into mulch and spread throughout the landscaping around @LALIVE and @STAPLESCenter so that the love all of the fans brought to LA Live lives on. pic.twitter.com/kB5XlGSYw5
— Lee Zeidman (@LeeZeidman) February 3, 2020
Early Monday morning, crews started to carry away the waves of flowers, basketballs and keepsakes.
“Truly amazing the outpouring of love from the City of Angels in honor of the 9 who lost their lives 1/26/20,” Zeidman said. By midmorning Monday, he said, more than 1,350 basketballs had been boxed up.
Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, had requested items, which were to be cataloged and shipped to the family.
On the grounds, some fans brought more flowers and momentos to display at the site, only to find the grounds surrounded by fencing and workers clearing the sea of items away.
Despite, the cleanup, some fans insisted on leaving flowers, cards and other items at the edges of the site.
A single strand of prayer beads was tied onto one of the barriers. Along the street, vendors continued to sell merchandise bearing Bryant’s image.
Fans were urged to donate to a Bryant foundation rather than bring more gifts and flowers.
Flowers will be composted and spread around plants near Staples Center, Zeidman said, “so that the love all of the fans brought to LA Live lives on.”