We’ve heard about a couple of local centennials lately (Larchmont Blvd. was celebrated two weeks ago, and Miracle Mile’s big birthday will be coming soon), but today there’s a big quasquicentennial celebration commemorating 125 years of LA’s “beloved backyard,” Griffith Park. The events are being coordinated jointly by the L.A. Conservancy, the Department of Recreation and Parks, City Council District 4, and many other local organizations.
According to the Conservancy’s website for the celebration, “Many of us visit Griffith Park all the time– for birthday parties or barbeques or bike rides– but we may not know much about its extraordinary history, flora and fauna, or the buildings, people, and entities connected to it. To celebrate its 125th anniversary, we invite you to explore the nooks and crannies of Griffith Park and to learn about its past, present, and future as you go.”
Events will be spread throughout the 4,200-acre park today, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the Conservancy, with “volunteer educators from the L.A. Conservancy and 30 different partnering organizations” available to provide history and other information at 30 special sites:
The full list and schedule of the day’s special activities are include in a detailed, downloadable guide to the day, with some events especially highlighted by the Conservancy:
9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Self-Guided Exploration of Sites within Griffith Park
Eventgoers can visit up to 28 different locations staffed by experts and educators to learn about the places and people that make Griffith Park special. Tour the Greek Theatre, learn about the Old Zoo, visit a Tongva Cultural Educator, and so much more! The free map that will be provided doubles as a passport booklet—collect stamps at each site you visit!
Make sure to visit the Event Hub near the Merry-Go-Round for family-friendly activities sponsored by different organizations, Ranger-led hikes of the Old Zoo, and food trucks!
9:00 am: Hike Historic Griffith Park with Author Casey Schriener
To celebrate Griffith Park’s milestone anniversary, join Casey Schreiner, founder of Modern Hiker and author of “Discovering Griffith Park” — the first in-depth guidebook for the park — on a guided hike from Fern Dell to the summit of Mount Hollywood. Learn why Griffith Park is the greatest city park in the country and meet other experts along the way! Registration for this event can be found here.
The hike will be about 5 miles from Fern Dell to Mount Hollywood, ending at the Charlie Turner Trailhead, and is rated Moderate Difficulty. Hikers will be on the wide fire roads but there are some steep sections of trail. Please note that the guided portion of the hike ends at Charlie Turner Trailhead, at approximately 12:30 pm. From here, hikers can join additional programming at the Griffith Observatory, take the DASH or Parkline to other parts of the park, or walk down to the Greek Theatre or back toward Trails Cafe and Fern Dell. Be sure to wear hiking shoes or athletic shoes with good traction, and bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and sunglasses or hat.
Parking near the south end of Fern Dell is limited. There is usually ample parking on the north end of Fern Dell, past Trails Cafe. Be sure to give yourself extra time to meet Casey at the start of the hike at the south end of Fern Dell.
9:30 am: Hike to Hidden Amir’s Garden with the Sierra Club
Join the Sierra Club and hike to some historic and conservation-related sites to learn more about them and the history of Griffith Park’s interior. Hikers will stop at Amir’s Garden, at the memorial to the 1933 firefighters, and at Royce’s Canyon to hear the stories of these significant places. The hike begins at the intersection of the Mineral Wells and North Trails; parking is availiable at the Mineral Wells Picnic Area.
The hike is 4 miles long with 800 feet of elevation gain. Hikers will be primarily on fire roads with some hills. Bring hiking boots or shoes with good traction, water, suitable clothing layers, sunscreen, and a hat. Heavy rain cancels. The hike Leader is Emmy Goldknopf, hike Co-leader is Scott Astle.
10:00 am: Visit the Investigating Griffith Park exhibit at the Autry
The Autry Museum—including the exhibition Investigating Griffith Park and special programs—will be free to all visitors as part of the anniversary celebrations.
All visitors to the museum are required to provide proof of vaccination and to wear masks when indoors.
11:30 am: Birthday Celebration and Independent Shakespeare Co. Performance
Visit the 125th Event’s Hub to commemorate Griffith Park’s 125th Anniversary! Craig Torres, Tongva Cultural Educator and Artist will welcome the crowd, followed by remarks from the L.A. Conservancy, Assemblymember Friedman’s office and Councilmember Raman. Join us for cake and a lively and festive performance from Griffith Park’s own Independent Shakespeare Co.
1:00 pm: Book Reading at the Autry: The Feral Boy Who Lives in Griffith Park
Visit the Autry at 1:00 pm to hear live reading of stories from the extended Second Edition of this short story collection. The largest urban park in the nation is the fertile ground where new myths and legends grow, and the authors in this short story collection imagine a world where The Feral Boy Who Lives in Griffith Park exists. New stories by Annette Zilinskas, Matt Oswalt, Hadley Meares, Tim Kirk, and others will be read by the authors and actors, with live musical accompaniment by Tom Moese
Following the readings the authors will sign copies of the newly released extended second edition, available in the museum store.
2:00 pm: Play Reading and Discussion at the Griffith Park Visitor Center Outdoor Amphitheatre
Antaeus Theatre Company presents a free reading of “90027: Griffith Park – The Fire In-Between” as part of Griffith Park’s 125th Anniversary celebration. The live reading will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Playwright, Peppur Chambers; Director, Rondrell McCormick; Artistic Director, Bill Brochtrup; and Griffith Park Historian, Michael Eberts.
“90027: Griffith Park – The Fire In-Between” is part of Antaeus Theatre Company’s original audio series, The Zip Code Plays: Los Angeles (learn more here).
“The Fire In-Between” (generously Sponsored by Arlene Vidor) is set in the Depression, and tells the story of Fernando and Difford, two ambitious young men who take government relief jobs maintaining the city’s large urban wilderness. But on the fateful date of October 3, 1933 something goes terribly wrong… How do we follow our dreams when the natural order has been disrupted?”
2:30 pm: Book Reading at the Autry: Griffith Park A to Z
Join Casey Schreiner, author of Discovering Griffith Park, for a lively slideshow presentation through the alphabet of what makes Griffith Park one of the finest city parks in the entire country. Learn about groundbreaking aviators, ham-and-egg eating secret societies, famous animals, movie stars, citizen gardens, hiking routes, mysterious artists, and more!
Following the presentation Schreiner will sign copies of his LA Times bestselling book — the first and only in-depth guide for the park.
But be sure to check the full schedule, for all the happenings…at Travel Town, LA Live Steamers, Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn, the Bette Davis Picnic Area (and new micro-forest, where you may run into Buzz co-publisher Patty Lombard), the LA Zoo, Autry Museum of the American West, Griffith Park Golf Club House, Amir’s Garden, the 1933 Firefighters’ Memorial, Independent Shakespeare Co., Old Zoo, LA Compost facility, Shane’s Inspiration playground, Merry Go Round, Visitor Center, Feliz Adobe, Griffith Park & Southern Railroad, pony rides, Greek Theater, Griffith Observatory, Dante’s View, Fern Dell, Trails Cafe…and more.
125 years is definitely cause for celebration!
