Another example of promotion without due process RAP has clearly demonstrated they are not interested in working with the adjacent community. They recently attacked the neighborhood with these intrusive signs. One happens to been private property!
Author: HGP Moderator
Shocking New Years Day PRELUDE TO TERRORISM! Defacement of HGP and the Hollywood Sign. Mayor Eric Garcetti, our Councilman David Ryu and his staff, Department of Parks and Recreation, the LAPD and The Hollywood Sign Trust creating a deathtrap for the residents and inhabitants of our gifted parkland.
It is hard to overestimate the enormous implications of today’s total City failure in Hollywoodland.
The last remaining thread of trust in the City has finally been cut for most of us.
We have communicated to the City on numerous occasions about the lax ( a very generous word) enforcement on top of Mt Lee. But even we had thought on New Year’s Eve when the entire world has increased enforcement and is on alert that there would be extra care taken in our neighborhood. Instead, not only was there nothing extra– there was nothing!! How long does it take for someone to change the Sign? Certainly longer than I would imagine to leave bombs there. The whole world can see what a farce the City enforcement is.
But since 911, this is no longer a prank. This is a serious breach of security that threatens our lives and homes. One councilman on his own went against decades of precedent (when the top of Mt Lee was off limits to the public for good reasons) and without studies, hearings or process opened it up, created a new activity of “walking to the Sign”, and invited tens of millions of people to come up here. 
The present Councilman has continued and thereby supports this policy. Anyone can come carrying anything, huge backpacks used for weeks of camping, metal suitcases, and various equipment. We’ve seen it. Everything is allowed–nothing is checked. The lack of security takes your breath away.
And what is atop of Mt Lee? There are multiple tourist targets any one of which should sound alarms—
*A world famous Sign known as a symbol of Western Culture, one of the biggest tourist magnets in Southern California
* Emergency communication equipment for the City of Los Angeles
* 8000 gallons of stored fuel
* Hundreds of homes built on narrow, winding substandard streets–a bottle neck surrounded on three sides by Griffith Park
* All in a very high fire hazard Zone in the midst of a drought.
This is such an easy target and the probability of hundreds or thousands being stuck on gridlocked streets could be turned into a certainty by the placing of a few vehicles at key locations.
At this point it has gone beyond ignorance, incompetency or neglect. Over and over again the City has chosen to ignore our warnings. Over and over again the City has shown that safety is not its top priority. The City scrambles to react rather than prevent. These conditions would be unacceptable anywhere else. We need and are entitled to protection. The City failed us today, and we greatly fear what the next failure will bring.
New Years Day at the City’s nuisance vista point
Parks and Recs: Nothing has changed in 67 Years!
This is a letter retrieved from City Hall archives demonstrating nothing has changed in 67 years: Los Angeles rec and parks continues to be influenced by the chamber and not by the tax paying property owners, nor the environment or aesthetics.
Think you know about Cougars? Test yourself!
Cougar or not? Test yourself with these pics
http://www.twincities.com/
The History of Moses Hazeltine Sherman and Eli P. Clark by Grafton Tanguary, Contributor to the Jonathan Club Magazine
Sherman and Clark
By Grafton Tanguary, Contributor The Jonathan Club Magazine
Born in 1853, Moses Hazeltine Sherman headed west at the age of 20, first to Los Angeles and then to Prescott, Arizona. He returned east and, on his subsequent trip west with his sister, their steamship was wrecked. They were adrift for three days, before they were rescued by a passing ship on its way to the Isthmus of Panama.
Upon his return to Arizona, Sherman was appointed Superintendent of Public Instruction by John C. Fremont, Governor of the Territory, and organized the state’s school system. He was also appointed Adjutant-General of the state National Guard and kept the honorific title of “General”.
(While there, Sitting Bull returned from Canada, Billy the Kid was killed in New Mexico, The Earps and Clantons fought the shoot-out at the O.K. corral in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, Jesse James was killed by Robert Ford ,and the last great buffalo kill was conducted on the northern plain.)
In 1884, at the age of thirty, he founded the Valley Bank of Phoenix, now the largest in the state. He acquired several small trolley systems, electrified them in 1893, and formed the Valley Street Railway. In 1910, he built the Phoenix Railway to connect to the Santa Fe Railway system. During his time in Arizona, Eli P. Clark married his sister and became Sherman’s partner in his future endeavors.
In 1889, General Sherman moved to Los Angeles, and Clark joined him in 1891. The first trolley line in Los Angeles had been built in 1874, operating from Temple and Spring Streets to Sixth and Figueroa. By the time of Sherman’s arrival, there were a number of small trolley lines in the area, using horses or cable for power, all with different owners. The population of Los Angeles was approximately 7,000, including 1,000 Europeans.
With the help of San Francisco money, Sherman and Clark bought up and consolidated the existing lines and electrified them. His friend, John A. Muir, helped him secure the franchise. By 1895, all of the smaller lines had been combined into the Los Angeles Consolidated Electric Railway Company. Fred Eaton, future mayor, was the chief engineer, and A. W. Barrett was Superintendent of the company. The line carried 12,000,000 passengers that year. At the time, there were only three successful electric trolley systems in the United States
Sherman and Clark then acquired the horse drawn lines in Pasadena, electrified them and connected Pasadena and Altadena to Los Angeles via the Los Angeles and Pasadena Electric Railway Company.
In 1895, they took over a failed steam driven line partially completed from Los Angeles toward Soldiers’ Field and Santa Monica. Their line, the Los Angeles Pacific Railway, ultimately built 200 miles of track from Los Angeles to Whitley Heights (Hollywood) built by H. J. Whitley, through Sherman (West Hollywood), Soldiers’ Field, Santa Monica, Ocean Park and Redondo. It was often called the “Balloon Line”, because the track made a circle from Los Angeles to Santa Monica, then south and circled back to Los Angeles. The drive to build the route was called “Sherman’s March to the Sea”. Riding the circle was a popular excursion for Angelenos.
The town of Sherman, now West Hollywood, grew up around the station, rail yard and shops which Sherman located half way between Los Angeles and the beach. His site is now the location of the Sheriff’s Station and MTA car barn.
The trolley lines were only marginally profitable. Henry Huntington acquired the Los Angeles Consolidated Electric Railway, and in 1906 The Los Angeles Pacific was sold to the Southern Pacific which combined it with the Pacific Electric, recently formed by Huntington and his associates. Sherman served on its Board. Paul Shoup was President.
Sherman and Clark were also members of a syndicate in 1902 which purchased approximately 1,000 acres of land at Playa del Rey on Ballona Lagoon along the route of their trolley line and announced that they were going to create a “Venice of America”, with plans to build a “millionaires colony of villas”. The developers included Frederick H. Rindge, Edwin T. Earl, John D. Bicknell, George Cochran and Colonel H. Howland, in addition to Sherman and Clark. Abbott Kinney later appropriated the name Venice for his development and implied for many years that it was his idea. Sherman and Howland are the names given to two of the remaining canals in Venice.
Sherman was a member of the five-man Board of Control of the Los Angeles Suburban Homes Company which purchased and developed 47,500 acres of the southern portion of San Fernando Valley. The other members of the Board included General Harrison Otis, Harry Chandler and H. J. Whitley. Eli Clark and Henry Huntington were also investors. Sherman and Clark extended their trolley lines through Cahuenga Pass into the valley to serve the new valley developments. Sherman Way bears his name.
In addition, Sherman and Clark were part of the syndicate which formed the San Fernando Mission Land Company to purchase 16,500 acres of the Porter Ranch in the northern section of the valley. Other investors included L. C. Brand, Henry Huntington, Herman W. Hellman, General Harrison Otis, Edwin T. Earl, Wm. G. Kerchoff and Joseph Sartori.
General Sherman was President of the syndicate which purchased the 270,000 acre Tejon Ranch with Otis and Chandler. Clark built the Clark Hotel in downtown Los Angeles and served as President of the Clark and Sherman Land Company. He was a Trustee of the University of Southern California and Pomona College in Claremont. In 1906, he organized and was made President of the Mount Hood Railway and Power Company in Oregon.
Sherman, E. P. Clark, Harry Chandler and H. W. Whittier were the principal owners of the Los Angeles-Hawaiian Steamship Company, operating twelve passenger and freight vessels.
In 1907, General Sherman was President of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Water District and a member of the Board of Water Commissioners which undertook the construction of the Owens Valley Aqueduct system. He owned considerable property in Culver City and Del Rey and was a Director of the Farmers and Merchants Bank and the Yosemite Park and Curry Company. Sherman was a major shareholder of the Colorado River Land Company, which owned 840,000 acres of land in Mexico, south of the Imperial Valley, primarily planted in cotton. General Harrison Otis and Harry Chandler were among the other owners. In 1937, the land was expropriated by the Mexican government to form ejidos.
At 6 feet, nine inches and a lantern jaw, he was a formidable presence. It was said that “He could charm a bird right out of a tree.”
Kudos to the Committee to Save the Hollywoodland Specific Plan for filing an appeal to the proposed Recreation and Parks circulation plan.
Kudos to the Committee to Save the Hollywoodland Specific Plan for filing an appeal to the proposed RAP circulation plan. READ the appeal here This appeal was supported by HBDU Homeowners on Beachwood Drive, HHA Hollywoodland Homeowners Association Inc. and HGP Hollywoodland Gifted Park. READ the support of the appeal here.
Yet another rescue in HGP making it TWO in one week!
A majestic Cooper’s Hawk visits Hollywoodland and her HGP
A majestic Cooper’s Hawk visits Hollywoodland and her HGP
Cooper’s Hawks are generally found in forested areas up to 3,000 feet, especially near edges and rivers. Unlike the Sharp-shinned Hawk, which prefers conifers, the Cooper’s Hawk prefers hardwood stands when they are available, but will use conifers too. The species prefers mature forests, but can be found in urban and suburban areas where there are tall trees for nesting. During the nesting season, Cooper’s Hawks are often more common in open areas than Sharp-shinned Hawks. In winter, Sharp-shinned Hawks are seen in more open areas.
The hunting Cooper’s Hawk approaches its prey stealthily, moving quietly through dense cover until it is close enough to overcome its target with a burst of speed. The secretive traits that allow the Cooper’s Hawk to surprise its prey also make it difficult to observe. It is most easily seen during migration.
Medium-sized birds (robins and jays) and small mammals (squirrels and mice) make up the majority of the Cooper’s Hawk’s diet.
Courtship is lengthy for Cooper’s Hawks, and the male may feed the female for up to a month before she begins to lay eggs. They nest in a tree, 25-50 feet off the ground. The nest is often built on top of an old nest or clump of mistletoe. Both sexes help build the stick nest lined with pieces of bark. The female incubates the 3 to 5 eggs for 30 to 33 days. The male brings food and incubates the eggs when the female leaves the nest to eat. Once the 3 to 5 eggs hatch, the female broods for about two weeks. During this time, the male continues to bring food for the female and the young. He gives the food to the female, and she feeds it to the nestlings. The young start to climb about the nest at four weeks of age, and begin to make short flights soon after. The parents continue to feed the young for up to seven weeks.
People are creating new paths, walking off designated trails and littering. Maintenance and enforcement of the land is non existent. Why is the city neglecting the HGP?
These photos( August 26, 2016) show violations of the Municipal Code 63.45 . People are creating new paths, walking off designated trails and littering. Maintenance and enforcement of the land is non existent. Why is the city neglecting the HGP?
WATCH! Get the “H”out of here! The mad-as-hell residents of Beachwood Canyon, Lake Hollywood Estates and environs have had enough. The Hollywood sign may be public but the neighborhood is not. CityWatch contributor Andrew Davis … camera in hand … offers both sides of the Beachwood Battle … direct from the ‘war zone.’
WATCH THE WAR (VIDEO)—The mad-as-hell residents of Beachwood Canyon, Lake Hollywood Estates and environs have had enough. The Hollywood sign may be public but the neighborhood isn’t. It’s the NIMBY Hollywood sign neighbors vs. the rude and disrespectful international and local tourists. Some warn: look for blood in the streets. Or, on the trail. CityWatch contributor Andrew Davis … camera in hand … offers both sides of the Beachwood Battle … direct from the ‘war zone.’
(Andrew Davis is a videographer/producer, host of the Millennial Project and a CityWatch contributor.)
Continue to follow the Beachwood Battle on http://www.CityWatchLA.com
We welcome your comments!
Trapping and maiming coyotes reported in Hollywoodland residential tract.
Our colleagues and neighbors in the adjacent residential area of Hollywoodland have reported a disturbing incident. Apparently some property owners within the Hollywoodland residential tract are trapping coyotes. Residents have observed 5 coyotes with maimed front right paws. This is illegal and cruel. A team of volunteers and government officials are investigating the actions. If you have any clues that will help identify these unacceptable people please share it at hollywoodlandgiftedpark@gmail.
Wildlife in the HGP found on upper Beachwood Drive.
Our 4th emergency rescue in 2 weeks.
The fourth rescue in 2 weeks!
Rescue #3
RESCUE #4
People creating unauthorized hiking/ foot paths destroying vegetation, altering water flow and altering habitat.
Illegal activity in HGP. These people are creating unauthorized hiking/ foot paths, that in turn destroys vegetation, alters water flow, alters habitat. There are reasons for rules, but our city does not seem to have an ability to enforce them. Why?
Man is arrested after climbing on the Hollywood sign.
Man is arrested after climbing on the Hollywood sign
By L.A. Times writers Matt Hamilton and Shelby Grad
A man dressed in camouflage was taken into custody Wednesday after he climbed on the Hollywood sign.
He stood on the D of the famous sign waving a banner saying “I’m back” before climbing down on the hillside, said Patrick Joyce, senior park ranger with the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.
The 24-year-old man previously has been caught trespassing in the area around the Hollywood sign, Joyce said.
Authorities found a GoPro camera with the man when he was taken into custody.
Police and park rangers took the man to the LAPD‘s Hollywood Division station and he was later referred to the custody of the park rangers, L.A. Police Department spokeswoman Officer Rosario Herrera said.
The man, whose identity was not released, was expected to be booked on a misdemeanor count of trespassing.
It’s unclear how the man got there or the reason for his actions.
The Real Life “Most Interesting Man in the World” isnt the Dos Equis man!
You’ve probably heard of the “Most Interesting Man in the World.” He’s the popular Dos Equis brand-spokesman who’s lived a life of adventure, has great stories to tell, and feels comfortable rubbing shoulders with the common and rich alike.
Of course he’s a fictional character made up by clever ad executives.
But back in the late 19th century there was a real-life guy who would put “The Most Interesting Man in the World” to shame.
In his own time, he was known the world round, yet hardly anyone has heard of him today. Well, we’re going to help change that with this installment of the podcast.
Today on the show I talk to writer Steve Kemper about his book, A Splendid Savage: The Restless Life of Frederick Russell Burnham. We discuss the adventures and world-wide exploits of the military scout, prospector, and real-life inspiration for the Boy Scouts, as well as what men today can learn from this “splendid savage.”
Show Highlights
- How Frederick Russell Burnham was literally born in fire on the Minnesota frontier [04:00]
- How Burnham’s childhood experience with the Sioux influenced the rest of his life [06:00]
- Why Burnham stayed behind in California by himself when he was just 12 years old while his family moved back to the Midwest [06:30]
- Burnham’s teenage schooling under some of the most famous and skilled mountain men [07:30]
- The extreme measures Burnham took to train himself to be a scout [10:00]
- The books Burnham read as a child that inspired his romantic quest to become a great frontier scout [11:00]
- Burnham’s involvement as a teenager in the Apache Wars and America’s bloodiest family feud [14:00]
- The beginning of Burhman’s career as a gold and minerals prospector [19:00]
- The kind of woman who’d marry Burnham and follow him on all his adventures for the rest of his life [22:00]
- How Burnham fulfilled his childhood dream of scouting in Africa while getting right in the mix of the Boer Wars [26:00]
- How the Boer War made Burnham a household name world-wide [32:00]
- Burnham’s prospecting in Africa [33:00]
- Burnham’s prospecting in the Klondike [35:00]
- Burnham’s famous, rich, and powerful friends, including Teddy Roosevelt and Winston Churchill [36:30]
- Did Burnham make up his adventures and exploits? [40:00]
- How Burnham helped inspire the Boy Scouts [41:00]
- Why hardly anyone knows about Burnham today [44:00]
- Burnham’s prospecting in Mexico and how he helped thwart an assassination attempt on President McKinley [45:30]
- How Burnham finally became wealthy in the oil fields of Los Angeles after a lifetime of prospecting the entire world [46:00]
- What drove Burnham’s quest for adventure his entire life [47:30]
- What men today can learn from the life of Frederick Russell Burnham [49:00]
Resources/Studies/People Mentioned in Podcast
- Dakota Sioux War of 1862
- Sioux wisdom on becoming a man
- Sioux warrior toughness training
- Dime novels
- Apache War
- Tonto Basin Feud
- George Crook
- Jack London (my podcast interview with London biographer Earle Labor)
- Klondike Gold Rush
- British South African Company
- Matable War
- Boer Wars
- The Boers
- Cecil Rhodes
- Winston Churchill’s Guide to Adulthood
- H. Rider Haggard
- Lord Baden-Powell
If you’re a history buff, you’ll definitely enjoy A Splendid Savage by Steve Kemper. If you’re looking for a kick in the pants to start living a life of adventure, this book is for you too.
Beautiful bobcat sighted off Beachwood Drive
This beautiful bobcat was seen adjacent to HGP off Beachwood Drive. Photo credit Brent Rice
HGP erosion created by hoardes of people
A. Erosion created by hoardes of people thinking they are taking a short cut (until they try it) on part of the Mt. Lee Rd. switchback above the Mulholland Trail.
B. Cigarette butt in the dry grass
C and D. People walking up on the DWP plateau (vista), and walking out on a little slippery trail between the Toyon tank and a steep drop down to dirt Mulholland. Note: the tank is enclosed by a chain link fence topped with razor wire, and is our gravity-fed drinking water.
Beautiful blooms from the original HGP Payne mix
Blooms from the original Payne mix.
Watch the dramatic video as firefighters respond after hiker is stranded here in HGP Quarry
Watch the dramatic video as firefighters respond after hiker is stranded here in HGP Quarry
Firefighters early Friday evening rescued a hiker who had become stranded on the side of a steep cliff in the Bronson Canyon area of Griffith Park.
Two members of the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue team reached a stranded hiker in Griffith Park on May 13, 2016. (Credit: KTLA)
A 20-year-old woman was said to be uninjured shortly before 6 p.m. in the 3200 block of North Canyon Drive, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in an online news alert. The location is in the eastern Hollywood Hills.
News video showed park rangers and firefighters at the location, where two members of the LAFD’s Urban Search and Rescue team reached the hiker about 200 feet from the top of the hillside. The woman was given a helmet and jacket before being outfitted with a harness, which was connected to a rope held by responders at the top of the cliff.
The hiker and the two firefighters then slowly made their way down the slope. As they reached the bottom, shortly after 7 pm., the harness was disconnected from the cable and the rescuers escorted the woman to safety.
The hiker’s condition was evaluated at the scene. She was unhurt, said Margaret Stewart, a Fire Department spokeswoman.
Tagging near Deronda gate
Recent destruction in the HGP area. This tagging is about a third of a mile from the Deronda gate to the intersection of Mt Lee Rd. and the bridal path (Hollyridge Trail).
Like a bad neighbour, L.A. Parks and Recs is there!
LA WATCHDOG–Ever since Mayor Villaraigosa and the Eric Garcetti led City Council eviscerated the budget of our Department of Recreation and Parks in 2010 to help balance the City’s out of control budget, Rec & Parks has been on a mad dash for cash, willing to sell its soul for a few extra bucks, the hell with the neighboring communities.
Under the new “full cost recovery” program that targeted the Recreation and Parks budget, City Hall slammed the Department with $38 million in chargebacks, consisting primarily of costs for water and power ($16 million) and General Fund expenses ($17.5 million). This ding represented more than a quarter of the Department’s appropriation in the 2011 budget. READ ON!
Unanswered questions from City Officials!
Truth Fears NO QUESTIONS
Many of us continue to ask the same questions without getting any answers. What is the definition of a legal opening into a city park? What safety criteria is needed in an opening? What criteria is needed to develop an opening into a park? What criteria is needed to create a hiking trail, path or parking lot in a city park? What criteria is needed to develop a vista or view site?
Is criteria different in a flat area versus a hillside mountainous , fire area?
Is the criteria different in an open space encompassing residential homes? We have been begging the city for these answers and do not get a response. Why is this such a mystery? The mystery question has been asked to: Rec and Parks Commission, GM of Rec and Parks, Mike Shull, GM of Griffith Park, Joe Salaices, former Councilman Tom Labonge, and our current Councilman Ryu. The question was also asked an October public meeting hosted by the Councilman who claimed all questions would be answered either personally or on his website. So much for answers. So much for democracy.
Careless drone slices nose and mouth of dog.
Careless drone slices nose and mouth of dog.
On Thursday afternoon one of our neighbors and her dog visited the Lake Hollywood Park in the HGP. A group of people in a white mustang convertible were flying a drone to capture views of the Hollywood sign when the drone struck a dog, slicing him in the mouth and nose. 
The dog’s owner immediately rushed the dog who was profusely bleeding to the vet. Other Durand/Mulholland neighbors took a photo of the attached image around the same time. Any other photos or information about these intrusive and destructive individuals flying this drone, pls share by contacting hollywoodlandgiftedpark@gmail.com.