Landmark designation for Griffith Park

The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday declared the 4,218-acre Griffith Park a historic landmark in a move to protect the land from encroachment by developers. Daily News.

"This is a great day for the city," proclaimed Councilman Tom LaBonge, whose district includes the park. "I want everyone to come out there and meet me there at 5 in the morning for a hike through the park."

The 13-0 vote came after several months of discussion on the request by Griffith Van Griffith to protect the land. It was Griffith's grandfather, Col. Griffith J. Griffith, who deeded the former Los Feliz Rancho to the city in 1896 for parkland.