Bette Davis Picnic Area

In his article “Lights, Camera, Picnic?” (July 2), Kimit A. Muston confesses his ignorance as to why Griffith Park named the Bette Davis Picnic Area for the movie star, makes sarcastic comments confusing the actress with the roles she played, and shows an inability to do even a modest level of research.

Bette Davis used to live at 1705 Rancho Drive, right next to the Griffith Park bridle path and a stone’s throw from the picnic area named for her. I thought everyone knew this.

ABE HOFFMAN

West Hills

*

A writer last week took exception to the name of a little picnic park near the Los Angeles Equestrian Center on Riverside Drive since he couldn’t relate any of Bette Davis’ movie characters to a park.

When I first came to California in 1938, Bette Davis lived in a house on several acres near where Victory Boulevard, Sonora Avenue and Riverside Drive come together east of the equestrian center. I lived near there and, as I went to work early in the morning, I would often see Bette circling her acreage training a trotting horse.

She never became known as a horsewoman, but I find naming the little park in this area entirely appropriate to her memory.

WILFRED WALLACE

Sherman Oaks