Should Runyon Canyon get permanent restrooms? That's the million dollar question

The Erewhon of nature has a No. 1 and No. 2 problem — and not everyone's happy about the solution.

Runyon Canyon will soon be getting permanent restrooms estimated to cost nearly $1 million — about the average price of an entire home in the rest of Los Angeles, according to one estimate.

Few details about the project — from the number of stalls to cost breakdown to whether it self-cleans — are available. LAist has reached out to the L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks seeking information.

When nature calls

The 160 acres of open space and hiking trails is a favorite among Hollywood stars and influencers alike — among an estimated 2 million people who visit this landmark annually. But on this early Thursday evening, Runyon is filled with families, residents and kids enjoying their neighborhood park.

Currently, visitors are served by a bank of portable bathrooms, which requires no introduction to anyone acquainted with the concept.

 "If you look inside there, they're always atrocious," said Mitch Gries, who has been coming to Runyon twice a day for the last three decades. This afternoon, he's with his 1-year-old puppy, Pluto.

"The problem is they put in these porta potties and really didn't maintain them," Gries said. " I feel for the people that come a long distance. I live a block away, it's no problem for me."

Australian native Dan Brown has been coming to Runyon for 20 years and is frankly surprised at the lack of permanent facilities. Even though the job to install them sounds expensive, he said he doesn't know enough about the engineering involved to make an informed evaluation.

Brown does know this, however, based on his first-ever experience recently of having to use one of the portable toilets.

" I'd rather have nothing than that, to be honest with you," he said.

No go

Even getting the porta potties into the park was a small battle. Anastasia Mann is president of Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council that represents residents and businesses in the area. She said when Runyon was donated to the city, it was with the understanding that it would remain a wilderness destination.

"It's always been kept as a wilderness site," she said.

Her neighborhood council has had many meetings over the last decade about the permanent restroom issue. The sentiment has been consistent.

"Nobody wanted bathrooms because they didn't want it changed from the status that it has had since it was donated to the city," Mann said. "People are very passionate around about this part."

As the project progresses, the issue has become top of mind for those living around the placement location off Fuller Avenue. The Los Angeles Times reported that the restrooms are slated to finish by next summer.

 " There are many, many apartments there, as well as private homes. They didn't come to neighborhood council meetings," Mann said. Now, "they're just up in arms about it."

Then there are the perennial issues that so many parts of the city are grappling with.

 "You've got bumper-to-bumper homes and apartments, these people are worried about, you know, attracting the unhoused folks that are refusing housing," Mann said.

Mann added that access to Runyon has expanded over the last 10 years to thousands of hikers a day.

So where would people go — if they need to go?

Barring emergencies, " Well, it's just basically to go to the bathroom before you come," Mann said.

Big money

Another group, Runyon Canyon Guardians, is particularly taking issue with the $1 million price tag of the permanent structures.

The Department of Recreation and Parks told our media partner KCAL News that about three-quarters of the funding comes from federal dollars to improve park facilities. The rest is footed by a fee developers pay in lieu of providing park space near housing constructions.

While staunchly pro-real restrooms, Gries — the twice-a-day Runyon guy — also balked at the cost.

"Whoever did the contract, I think needs to be scrutinized," he said.

But the solution, to him, doesn't end with a permanent structure.

Runyon Canyon has "become [an] icon as much as going to Disney Hall or the Hollywood sign. The city should do something in terms of providing toilets," Gries said. "If it is built, it really needs to be maintained."