Trail To Hollywood Sign Reopens With New Gate To Limit Car Traffic
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A trail that leads to a view of the Hollywood Sign reopened to pedestrians Monday with a new gate to limit car traffic.
The Beachwood Canyon entrance to Griffith Park has a newly-installed electric gate that will limit car traffic going up the trail, but will give hikers access during park hours, which is daily from 5 a.m. to sunset.
The entrance was closed in March after residents in the area complained of constant congestion from tourists driving cars up their roads to get to the trail. Last year, animosity toward Hollywood Sign gawkers got to a point that someone mounted signs, declaring the area a "tourist-free zone."
Some parking may be available for cars around the Beachwood Canyon area for people who want to hike to see the sign, but preferential parking rules that apply on weekends and holidays may limit space. City officials recommended hikers who want to see the Hollywood Sign to use a path that begins at the Griffith Observatory.
The gate will not allow most car traffic, but will grant entry to people driving to the Sunset Ranch Horse Stables.
Councilman Tom LaBonge said the gate is "designed to protect the community and park property during closed hours."
"Park rangers and LAPD will continue to patrol the park so (residents) of Los Angeles and all visitors can come enjoy Griffith Park," he said.
But some residents of Beachwood Canyon are not pleased with the reopening of the trail, KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports.
George Abrahams, director of the Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood Association, says he once got into a head-on accident with a tourist who was following Google Maps and was unfamiliar with the area's narrow streets.
"Well, it was an onslaught before, and it will probably be an onslaught again," Abrahams said.
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