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Photos: Former Landfill Reopens for Picnics and Play in Griffith Park
From 1957 to 1985, the Toyon Canyon Landfill was in full operation inside Griffith Park. Fully closed in 2008, the area has been retrofitted and rehab-ed to become part of the park, now open for "passive recreation" use, which means picnics, playing, and passing through.
Monday, a small ceremony was held at the site to mark its official opening.
"It's been a long 55 years, but this site is starting to look like a part of Griffith Park again," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge of the Toyon Canyon project. "To reverse a quote from Joni Mitchell, this is an effort to bring back some paradise out of the parking lot."
This video shows images of the area in 2011, prior to the launch of the Bureau of Sanitation's retrofit work, which took place in 2012. That project included "planting trees and shrubs, installing perimeter fencing to guide hikers and equestrians, and building a small picnic area and horse drinking trough," according to a release issued by LaBonge's office.
Just a little name trivia, too: The Toyon is the official plant of the City of L.A. and is abundant in Griffith Park.
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