New Task Force to Take on Griffith Park Planners

Nineteen Chapter members met March 20 to create a task force that will go beyond opposition to the Griffith Park draft master plan and instead develop a Sierra Club vision for the park. Dean Wallraff, Conservation Committee Chair, conducted the meeting. The group adopted the following mission statement:

'Griffith Park Planning Task Force:
'Develops the Sierra Club vision for the future of Griffith Park and works to cause this vision to be adopted as public policy. Works to preserve the urban wilderness identity of Griffith Park, to restore its natural resources, and to enhance the park's natural qualities. Works with other organizations to form a strong union to educate and mobilize the public in an effort to influence political opinion and public policy to preserve this priceless resource. The Task Force supports the continuing public process and encourages democratic citizen participation in developing the Griffith Park Master Plan and other plans for Griffith Park.'

The group elected Delphine Trowbridge and Joe Young as co-chairs of the task force.

In March 2005 the Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department issued a draft Master Plan for Griffith Park. Significant public outrage immediately followed, and the Department formed a working group to evaluate and make recommendations about the draft master plan. Although a number of Sierra Club members were actively engaged in this process, the Sierra Club as an organization was not represented on the working group nor did it have an official channel through which to respond to the draft master plan.

Previously, the Verdugo Hills group had passed a resolution opposing the draft master plan. The Central group also passed a resolution that was then adopted by the Chapter Conservation Committee and the Chapter Executive Committee.