Sometimes our loyal members and donors don’t realize how much work Friends of Griffith Park does behind the scenes! Such is the case with the litigation FoGP filed more than two years ago on September 14, 2023. Our lips were sealed through the entire process. With a settlement quietly approved on November 12, 2025, we can now share the good news!
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The lawsuit filed by FoGP and the Griffith J. Griffith Charitable Trust, was based upon what we recognized as excessive environmental impacts to habitat within the proposed California Planning Area of the Los Angeles Zoo property. Our legal counsel, Carstens, Brown, Minteer, LLP, advised us.

The Zoo’s most prominent topographical feature is a long ridgeline of natural habitat, 165 feet in elevation above the parking lot, visible from far away. On top of it, the Zoo proposed to build a very large “Yosemite” style structure, unrelated to improved zoo animal care.

In addition, the project proposed splitting the ridgeline to create a new, 60-ft. deep (wholly artificial) “Condor Canyon” by excavating and exporting an enormous amount of earth and rock. While an alternative idea of a tunnel was floated just as the City approved the project, there was never any study to determine whether it would even be feasible.

Here is the summary of the ­“what would have beens” that have been averted, quoted from the settlement report approved by City Council:

“The California Visitor Center and Restaurant would have been an 18,000 square-foot structure constructed on a ridgeline in the California planning area of the Zoo.”

 

“Condor Canyon would have been cut through an existing ridgeline in the California planning area to depths of up to 60 feet both to complete the Primary Path Loop through the Zoo and provide topographic variation and interest.”
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“A 5-acre area on the ridgeline in the California area would have been developed as part of the California area. This development would have included clearing of the area.”

Instead of the California Visitor Center, three outdoor shaded structures, each not to exceed 1500 sq ft, may be built to serve as interpretive sites. The protected five acres are all within the California Planning Area and allow some features, such as a trail. The alternative tunnel concept would be abandoned.
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The settlement is a huge victory for Los Angeles and all its residents and visitors. It puts the Los Angeles Zoo on a much better track to focus on its mission priorities into the future. The impressive topography of this land, which is the furthest eastern reach of the Santa Monica Mountains, will not be altered with this settlement now in place.

We are extremely grateful that citizens from all over Los Angeles, environmental organizations, resident associations and agencies stood by our side as we took this legal action to protect Griffith Park now and into the future. Thank you! The outcome is well worth the large effort that went into it.

~Gerry Hans, FoGP President