Photo Gallery: Love Locks on the Los Angeles River

A pedestrian and his dog walk by love locks attached to the Sunnynook Pedestrian bridge in Atwater that follow a world wide romantic tradition. (Roger Wilson/Staff Photographer)

Feb. 7, 2014 4:57 PM PT

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For 10 or more years, lovers worldwide have been writing their names on simple padlocks, affixing the locks to fences or rails, typically over rivers, then throwing the keys into the abyss, thereby cementing their commitment to one another. The custom is well-known to sweethearts in France, China, Serbia and elsewhere but it’s fairly new here in Los Angeles.

A note painted on the side of a love lock that is attached to the Sunnynook Pedestrian bridge in Atwater follows a world wide romantic tradition. (Roger Wilson/Staff Photographer)

Love locks attached to the Sunnynook Pedestrian bridge in Atwater overlooking the Los Angeles River follow a world wide romantic tradition. (Roger Wilson/Staff Photographer)

Personalized padlocks or love locks are attached to the Sunnynook Pedestrian bridge in Atwater overlooking the Los Angeles River. It’s part of a romantic tradition around the world. (Roger Wilson/Staff Photographer)

Love locks attached to the Sunnynook Pedestrian bridge in Atwater overlooking the Los Angeles River follow a world wide romantic tradition. (Roger Wilson/Staff Photographer)