On Saturday, November 13, 2021 volunteer educators from the LA Conservancy joined 30 different partnering organizations spread throughout Griffith Park to share stories of specific sites, from Amir’s Garden to the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, from Rancho Los Feliz to Bette Davis Park on the Burbank side of Griffith Park, from the Griffith Observatory to the Griffith Golf Club House and beyond. Originally, this gift from Griffith Jenkins Griffith was presented to the citizens of Los Angeles on December 16, 1896.

Friends of Griffith Park took the helm at Fern Dell and at Park Center where they met guests, answered questions and explained how these areas reflected the times they were created. Also at Fern Dell, FoGP discussed current restoration proposals (Measure W) that could once again see waters flowing through and among the ferns. At Park Center, FoGP shared the space with City officials and members of various organizations including FoLAR, GPAB, the Sierra Club and many others who relayed the historical significance of Griffith’s bequest of this open space to the City of Los Angeles.

Local author/historian and Griffith J. Griffith Charitable Trust member Mike Eberts led visitors from Amir’s Garden to the Firefighter’s Memorial which overlooks the 1933 tragedy that claimed 29 civilian lives and hundreds of injuries. Clare Darden, also a trust member held court at the Ranger Station across the way from Park Center.

All in all, it was a delightfully hot, busy day in the Park with visitors learning historical nuggets and deepening their appreciation of all that Griffith Park has to offer. If you came out, we hope you stopped by our booth in Fern Dell or Park Center.

And finally : the LA Conservancy’s Sarah Lann and team deserves enormous thanks for spearheading this day of celebration, honoring the stupendous gift from Col. Griffith.

Photos
top/left: despite the heat, folks old and young, large and small came out for the celebration
top/center: FoGP president Gerry Hans with LA Conservancy’s Sarah Lann and FoGP boardmember Mary Button
top/right: Gerry and Seamus Garrity from Assemblymember Laura Friedman’s office talk about Park issues

center/left: CD-4 councilmember Nithya Raman shares remarks on the 125th Celebration
center: one of the four footed visitors gives a big smile to the camera
center/right: Chief Ranger Joe Losorelli talks with Gerry Hans

bottom/left: Tongva Cultural educator Craig Torres extends remarks and a blessing to open the festivities
bottom/center: RAP’s Tracy James and husband Larry hang out at the Ranger booth
bottom/right: Ron and Carol Brusha discuss Park issues with visitors to the booth