Griffith Park

A small brush fire that broke out at 5 p.m. Monday in Griffith Park was contained after it scorched about 5 acres, officials said. Water-dropping helicopters were called in to assist with the blaze, which reportedly started near the northeast corner of the park before moving slowly uphill. The fire was visible from the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways as firefighters, including from Glendale and Burbank, worked in steep terrain to contain the blaze. The fire snarled evening traffic as authorities closed down some freeway ramps and lanes for firefighter access.

A helicopter on a routine flight over Los Angeles made a "hard landing" in Griffith Park around 2:17 p.m. Thursday after experiencing "mechanical problems," fire officials said.  The pilot and three passengers, who were not immediately identified, were treated at the scene and released, according to L.A. Fire Department spokesman Jamie Moore.  The helicopter was on a "routine flight" from Redlands, circled Santa Monica and was preparing...

A weekly farmers market is coming to Griffith Park at the Autry National Center , known for its museum of the American West. Across from the L.A. Zoo, Griffith Observatory Satellite and the Municipal Golf Course, the farmers market kicks off on Saturday, April 28, from 8 a.m. to noon, with about 16 local and organic farmers, including Tutti Frutti Farms, Underwood Family Farms and Avila & Sons Farms.  Food vendors such as Milkman Artisan...

Of the many indignities visited upon Fern Dell, the garden oasis in Griffith Park, one remains a mystery: Who turned off the water? Starlets and health-seekers lined up in the 1920s to fill jugs from the spring that fed this 20-acre fantasia of ferns, footpaths and picturesque bridges. They thought it was a fountain of youth. Now, only the lower stream beds run, and the pools lie motionless and gummy. You might think the city would do something. But instead, Friends of Griffith Park - the nonprofit group that stepped in three years ago to try to reverse the 95-year-old garden's long, sad decline - is on the case.

Los Angeles city dwellers once enjoyed a sanctuary of gnarled oaks, serene pools and exotic ferns on Griffith Park's southwestern edge. But four decades of neglect have left the 20-acre Fern Dell retreat a shabby relic of its former self, which is why a band of park lovers is now trying to restore it to its early Hollywood heyday. "Fern Dell is in pretty bad shape, but it is not too late to save it," said Bernadette Soter, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit Friends of Griffith Park . The volunteer group has launched a campaign to rejuvenate the 95-year-old stream-fed garden spot, restoring its 17 footbridges, ripping out thickets of invasive ivy and bamboo, and beefing up security.

Hundreds of bicyclists showed up in Griffith Park on Thursday morning to take Lance Armstrong up on his challenge — or tweet, actually. On Wednesday, one of the world’s most celebrated cyclists sent a message on his Twitter account that read: “Hey LA — get out of your cars and get on your bikes. Time to ride. 7:30 tomorrow am. Griffith Park, LA Zoo parking lot.” Hundreds of people did, nearly all of them dressed in their gear, ready for the chance to keep pace with the seven-time Tour de France winner.

The City Council on Tuesday begrudgingly approved a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the motorist who struck cyclist Damian Kevitt near Griffith Park, maiming him to the point where he lost part of his right leg. Council members approved the reward despite many contending the money would be better spent on traffic safety issues within the city. But Kevitt's mother, Michele Kirkland, said on Wednesday that the reward will help to renew interest in her son's case.

Police are searching for suspects in the hit-and-run death of actress and dancer Zina Feeley as she stopped to help an injured animal in Griffith Park. The accident happened shortly after midnight Sunday in the 600 block of Forest Lawn Drive, near Zoo Drive. Feeley, 66, who went by her maiden name, Zina Bethune, was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene, according to LAFD spokesman Matt Spence. Continue reading > > -- KTLA-TV

Griffith Park, Point Dume, the 6th Street Bridge near downtown L.A. and a former community hospital in Boyle Heights reputed to be haunted ranked among the most popular film locations in 2012, according to a new survey. Eight of the top 10 sites for shoots of movies, TV shows, commercials and music videos on city and county streets are publicly owned, the annual survey conducted for the Los Angeles Times by FilmL.A. Inc. found. "We continue to see a considerable amount of filming that happens on government-owned properties or facilities, from beaches and parks, to public schools and libraries," said Phil Sokoloski, spokesman for FilmL.A., which handles film permits.

California Highway Patrol officials say they are nowhere closer to finding a motorist who ran down and badly-injured a cyclist near Griffith Park as they were when it happened nearly two months ago. On Feb. 17, Damian Kevitt, 36, was hit by a minivan on Zoo Drive and dragged 600 feet under the carriage until he was dislodged on the southbound Golden State (5) Freeway onramp. Doctors were forced to amputate a portion of his right leg. Since the hit-and-run incident, investigators have exhausted all leads and there have been no new developments in the case, despite a $25,000 reward , CHP Officer Kevin Denmon said on Thursday.

A helicopter on a routine flight over Los Angeles made a "hard landing" in Griffith Park around 2:17 p.m. Thursday after experiencing "mechanical problems," fire officials said.  The pilot and three passengers, who were not immediately identified, were treated at the scene and released, according to L.A. Fire Department spokesman Jamie Moore.  The helicopter was on a "routine flight" from Redlands, circled Santa Monica and was preparing...

The City Council on Tuesday begrudgingly approved a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the motorist who struck cyclist Damian Kevitt near Griffith Park, maiming him to the point where he lost part of his right leg. Council members approved the reward despite many contending the money would be better spent on traffic safety issues within the city. But Kevitt's mother, Michele Kirkland, said on Wednesday that the reward will help to renew interest in her son's case.

Of the many indignities visited upon Fern Dell, the garden oasis in Griffith Park, one remains a mystery: Who turned off the water? Starlets and health-seekers lined up in the 1920s to fill jugs from the spring that fed this 20-acre fantasia of ferns, footpaths and picturesque bridges. They thought it was a fountain of youth. Now, only the lower stream beds run, and the pools lie motionless and gummy. You might think the city would do something. But instead, Friends of Griffith Park - the nonprofit group that stepped in three years ago to try to reverse the 95-year-old garden's long, sad decline - is on the case.

California Highway Patrol officials say they are nowhere closer to finding a motorist who ran down and badly-injured a cyclist near Griffith Park as they were when it happened nearly two months ago. On Feb. 17, Damian Kevitt, 36, was hit by a minivan on Zoo Drive and dragged 600 feet under the carriage until he was dislodged on the southbound Golden State (5) Freeway onramp. Doctors were forced to amputate a portion of his right leg. Since the hit-and-run incident, investigators have exhausted all leads and there have been no new developments in the case, despite a $25,000 reward , CHP Officer Kevin Denmon said on Thursday.

Re: The March 30 front page photo, “Glendale Narrows gets a trail” of the new Bette Davis Park bridle trail fence, there's a back story on impacts to the Rancho's Garden Street, homes across from this Los Angeles park near Glendale Riverwalk trailhead, horse amenities, and to Rancho Avenue homeowners. The L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks just completed year-long irrigation system upgrades in the park's two sections that have long benefited from robust border resident stewardship, neighborhood watch and trash pickup.

Authorities on Monday announced a $25,000 reward for details leading to the arrest and conviction of a hit-and-run motorist who struck and severely-injured a 36-year-old cyclist riding near Griffith Park. The reward from the Los Angeles City Council comes two weeks after the cyclist, Damian Kevitt, was hit on Feb. 17 on westbound Zoo Drive. He was dragged 600 feet under the motorist's minivan until he was dislodged on the southbound Golden State (5) Freeway onramp. PHOTOS: Cyclists' mother pleads public for hit-and-run help The motorist reportedly accelerated when he struck Kevitt as he was trying to flee the scene.

The mother of a 36-year-old Los Angeles cyclist whose right leg was amputated after being hit and then dragged 600 feet by a van pleaded for the driver to turn himself in to authorities. Michele Kirkland's son, Damian Kevitt, has already undergone four surgeries since he was struck on Feb. 17 near the Zoo Drive on-ramp at Griffith Park and dragged onto the Golden State (5) Freeway before becoming dislodged and left behind, his body broken and bleeding. Doctors also might have to amputate his left foot.

Griffith Park, Point Dume, the 6th Street Bridge near downtown L.A. and a former community hospital in Boyle Heights reputed to be haunted ranked among the most popular film locations in 2012, according to a new survey. Eight of the top 10 sites for shoots of movies, TV shows, commercials and music videos on city and county streets are publicly owned, the annual survey conducted for the Los Angeles Times by FilmL.A. Inc. found. "We continue to see a considerable amount of filming that happens on government-owned properties or facilities, from beaches and parks, to public schools and libraries," said Phil Sokoloski, spokesman for FilmL.A., which handles film permits.

It took 10 years and $2.1 million, but this week, Glendale finally got the first of a three-phase project that - when it's all said and done - could become a huge community asset. We're talking, of course, about the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk, which debuted to the public on Thursday to a throng of crowing officials and eager dog walkers, horse riders, cyclists and park lovers. It's been a long time, but big dreams sometimes take time to realize, especially when scant government funding is involved.

Even a pack as tightly grouped as the Crescenta Valley High boys' cross-country team needs a standout to lead the charge. Junior Gabe Collison has emerged as the standard bearer for a surprising Falcons team that has risen from the disappointment of last year's down season and vaulted itself right back into contention for a Pacific League title and a CIF berth. By design, it's been a consummate team effort, but Collison has consistently been the first Falcon across the finish line throughout the team's timely progression this season.