Save the Pony Rides

The Griffith Park Pony Ride is not the first, and certainly not the most important, venture to be threatened by a cancellation of liability insurance. Yet the case begs for action, perhaps because a cranky world should be hanging tight to every shred of innocence.

The ride’s owner, Hank Bronk, wants to replace the cancelled policy but so far he has not found a company that will have him. His agent has contacted 12 companies who have refused to insure him at any price.

The city’s Department of Recreation and Parks is mounting up to rescue the rides. At its Friday meeting, the commissioners can waive, temporarily, a requirement that the pony concession be covered and insure Bronk itself for a premium only slightly higher than he was paying.

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Mike Roos (D--Los Angeles) has scheduled a meeting between Bronk and another insurance company on Friday.

We hope it works out. Los Angeles children have been riding ponies in Griffith Park for 40 years. The sign that Bronk posted to advertise his dilemma says that, if nothing changes, the rides will close “Forever.” That is a long time to ask a youngster to wait for a pony ride.