Griffith Park

I have read with great interest the coverage and reviews of the new Getty Center, poised to open to the public on Dec. 16. As you may recall, this is the date in 1896 on which another historic gift was made to the people of Los Angeles: Griffith Park. As with the Getty, Griffith Park was a gift hesitantly embraced by a city unsure of its value; it became a visual landmark literally seen from all points of the city; it encompasses art and science (the observatory, zoo, Travel Town, Autry Museum and Greek Theatre) along with its recreational opportunities.

The fate of the Getty in a century I will not hazard to guess. But 101 years after the gift of Griffith Park, the people of Los Angeles can proudly boast of the largest city park in the world, thanks to the vision of one man, Griffith J. Griffith.

LINDA J. BARTH

Senior Management Analyst

Griffith-Metro Administrative

Services, Los Angeles