Proposed master plan for Griffith Park stresses development, revenue
The new Griffith Park Master Plan, which was released this March, is intended to shape the park for the next 25 years. Under the leadership of Councilman Tom LaBonge, a community-based Working Group is reviewing the plan and taking public comments through December. Sierra Club members and friends who are interested in preserving the intrinsic beauty of this park are encouraged to participate.
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Griffith descendant opposes departure from original vision At its meeting on Sept. 12, the Working Group organized to review the Griffith Park Master Plan considered the plan's Vision section. The group voted without opposition to work to revise the Vision section with the concept of making the park an urban wilderness. This new concept will guide the Working Group's revisions of the rest of the plan. The public will be able to comment on the revised Vision on Oct. 3 and thereafter. At the meeting, Clare Darden, one of three members of the Griffith Trust, read a letter from Van Griffith, great-grandson of the park donor, in which all the trust members concurred. Griffith opposed most features of the Master Plan, writing that the Park was intended to be free and to allow people to relax in an uncluttered atmosphere. He opposed developing the park further and noted that kiosks at the entryways would be a step toward imposing user fees. He did support "one mountain bike trail"--an issue not yet discussed by the Working Group. Councilman Tom LaBonge, who heads the Working Group, supports the urban wilderness concept. However, he has also stated he wants more sports fields and more transportation in the park, and he has not commented on the suggestions for revamping park management, which would facilitate commercialization. In September, the Angeles Chapter's Central Group, whose region contains Griffith Park, voted to recommend to the Conservation Management Committee that this draft of the Master Plan should be rescinded. -Danila Oder |
Development is a major part of the plan. Suggestions include six multi-level parking structures; two aerial tramways; street widenings, such as a 117-foot wide Crystal Springs Promenade; and creation of a hotel, restaurant, culinary school, and sports complex in the park's interior .
The plan is also full of ideas for generating revenues from park users and public-private partnerships. One example: provide bike rental facilities at entrances to key bike routes and trails throughout the park. Many suggestions, such as dividing the park into themed and color-coded zones, seem designed to allow for commercialization.
The plan suggest building entry gateways to create a sense of arrival, and distinguish the Park from its surroundings. Pedestrian information kiosks throughout the park and repaving all park roads with colored road material is also suggested.
The emphasis on development is most explicit in the Park Management section. This section views the park as an underperforming corporate asset that should be reorganized and made self-sustaining. The plan suggests an annual report for the park alone, tracking of expenditures and funding specifically tied to Griffith Park, and quantification and delineation of the fiscal, economic, and social benefits that the Park generates (to) provide the basis for establishing...partnerships with neighboring municipalities.
This section suggests the park aggressively maximize and capture all on-site revenues, pursue all available public and private grant funds, and solicit private and philanthropic funding. It also recommends considering the potential for complementary development in or adjacent to the Park.
Among some of the positive elements are the development of a watershed plan, protection of the endanger Nevin's barberry which grows in the park, a Park Ecologist position, habitat restoration, restoration of Toyon Canyon Landfill, and wetlands restoration, enhancement of the Bird Sanctuary, management of non-native vegetation, improving signs and making the golf courses environmentally responsible.
Take action
Visit www.savegriffithpark.org. for links to download the Master Plan, the Working Group meeting schedule, a petition to designate Griffith Park an urban wilderness, and political contacts. You may also read the Master Plan in hard copy at the following libraries: Atwater Village Branch, Los Feliz Branch, Glendale Central, Burbank Central.
Submit comments on the plan at www.laparks.org.
Attend the next meeting of the Working Group on Oct. 3, 6:30pm. Griffith Park Ranger Station Community Room, 4730 Crystal Springs Dr. in the park.
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