Reduction in Hours Proposed for 2 Parks

In response to late-night drinking, loitering and other problems at O’Melveny and Little Bee Canyon parks, Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson suggested Wednesday that the parks only open between sunrise and sunset.

The adjacent parks, which combined provide more than 700 acres of open space and represent the second largest city park, are now open between 5 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.

But Bernson said the Granada Hills parks have recently suffered problems with car racing, drinking, loitering, graffiti and people firing guns in parking lots and other areas around the park, particularly on weekends.

Greig Smith, a Bernson aide, said the councilman had a public meeting near the parks in December and discussed the problems with nearby residents, park staff and police. He said support for the new hours was unanimous.

Smith said the new hours must be approved by the city’s Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners before the proposal returns to the City Council for final consideration. But he said he expects the new hours to be approved and in effect by April or May.