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Griffith Park

Griffith Park is 4,210-acre (17 sq. km.) park in Los Angeles. As such, it is one of the largest urban parks in the country. It is the second largest urban park in California, beaten only by Mission Trails Preserve in San Diego. Griffith Park visitors can partake in numerous leisurely activities, including sightseeing, picnicing, hiking, and horseback riding. Griffith Park also boasts several exciting tourist spots, like Griffith Observatory, Travel Town, the Greek Theatre, the Los Angeles Zoo, the Autry Museum of Western Heritage, and the Bird Sanctuary.

History

• In 1882, Colonel Griffith J. Griffith purchased Rancho Los Feliz near the Los Angeles River and created and ostrich farm there.
• In 1896, Griffith donated 3,012 acres (12 sq. km.) of his land to the city.
• In 1912, Griffith designated 100 acres (40 hectares) for the formation of the formation of the Griffith Aerodrome, to be used for aviation. It was later used for military operations.
• In 1930, the Greek Theatre was completed.
• In 1935, Griffith Observatory was completed.
• In 1939, the Aerodrome was demolished, when the City Planning Commission complained that a military airport violated the terms of Griffith's deed.
• In 1952, the Travel Town museum was founded.
• In 1966, the Los Angeles Zoo was founded.
• In 1988, Gene Autry founded the Autry Museum of Western Heritage.