Letter: Praise for decision on Mariposa Bridge

I wish to thank the Burbank City Council for unanimously voting at its Dec. 14 meeting on a compromise motion clarifying the public use of the Mariposa Avenue Activities Bridge over the L.A. River connecting Burbank with Griffith Park. With the council’s decision, bicyclists will be permitted to continue crossing the bridge but will have to walk, not ride, their bikes. Once across the bridge bicyclists will continue to be prohibited from riding on the dirt horse trails leading into Griffith Park.

Horseback riders will be permitted to continue riding their horses at walking speed across the bridge and proceed to the Griffith Park riding trails. The Mariposa Bridge was built in 1938 and designated, according to newspaper reports at the time of its grand opening, to be “for the enjoyment of horseback riders, hikers and bicyclists.” With the Burbank Council’s vote this week the bridge’s stated purpose is now official law.

Doug Weiskopf

Burbank